Mystic - The Stonington Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a special use permit for a new restaurant at 2-4 Holmes St., the building that formerly housed the former Puritan & Genesta natural foods store.

The commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the permit request from KAC Realty, whose principal Angela Kanabis of Stonington owns the building as well as the adjacent property at 17-19 E. Main St.

Kanabis, who had received approval to construct a mixed use building with a restaurant at 17-19 E. Main St., said she has been unable to rent the empty space at 2-4 Holmes St. So instead of constructing the new building, she said, it makes more sense to use the existing building.

As part of the approval, the commission said Kanabis must now abandon the approval for the building at 7-11 E. Main St. because she will now be using that property for parking for the new restaurant.

In her application, Kanabis said she would not proceed with the construction if she received the permit for 2-4 Holmes St.

The commission also said she must erect a fence around the foundation that had been constructed for the new building at 17-19 E. Main St.

Kanabis said Wednesday that she plans to open the 80-seat restaurant this fall. She said she is currently finalizing the menu and theme of the restaurant with the chef.

The restaurant will occupy two-thirds of the Holmes Street building's 3,200 square feet. The other one-third is retail use.

Puritan & Genesta closed in September after 35 years in business.

j.wojtas@theday.com