Julio Lopez, the owner of Guanajuato Restaurant at 2301 S. Howell Ave., has purchased and is renovating the vacant building at 2317 S. Howell Ave. 

Alderman Tony Zielinski said that Lopez and his wife are planning to relocate the restaurant to the new location at the end of December 2012.

"Mr. Lopez and his wife have indicated they are excited about the development in the area and wanted to purchase this building to continue their plans to expand and be a part of the momentum along S. Kinnickinnic and now S. Howell Avenue in Bay View," said Zielinski.