For a second summer, Main street Vineyard Haven will have a vacant space where Café Moxie used to be, following the latest setback in plans to rebuild the restaurant.

Paul Currier, owner of the building destroyed by fire last July 4, told Tisbury selectmen this week work on the rebuilding would stop until at least September.

Mr. Currier previously had hoped the restaurant would be finished and trading again before the anniversary of the fire.

Cafe Moxie, the Tisbury restaurant destroyed by fire on July 4, 2008, seems sure to remain closed for a third summer season, its owner says.

Paul Currier said he now saw no way the rebuilding could be completed before the anniversary of the blaze, which also severely damaged the adjoining Bunch of Grapes bookstore, “and if you can’t open by July 4, you’ve pretty much missed the season.”

There has been much speculation about 48 Main street in Vineyard Haven ever since July 4, 2008, when fire destroyed Café Moxie and badly damaged the Bunch of Grapes bookstore. With the rubble atCafé Moxie knocked down shortly after the fire, an empty lot sat in the heart of downtown Vineyard Haven.

A Main street Vineyard Haven restaurant that has sat empty for years was singled out for biting criticism by one of the town selectmen this week, who openly questioned whether the owner was acting in good faith.

“I see Cafe Moxie opened up this morning,” said selectman Jeffrey Kristal at the Tuesday board meeting. “No, I’m kidding,” he added with evident sarcasm.