MARSHALL — The space left when a downtown Marshall restaurant closed earlier this summer won’t stay vacant for long. Knochenmus Enterprises, the owners of the New Atlantic Hotel building at the corner of Main Street and College Drive, announced Tuesday that a new restaurant is coming.

The new restaurant, called Atlantic Place, is expected to open later this year by Chef Ronnie Walker. Walker is a former chef and instructor at the culinology and hospitality management programs at Southwest Minnesota State University. Walker created Taste, the student-operated restaurant at SMSU that gained some attention last year.

“The success and momentum we created with Taste at SMSU gave me the insight that Marshall is really craving a high-quality dining option that has a local influence. It is classic food done right that hits the mark,” Walker said. “While I remain a true believer in the concept of Taste at SMSU, this next chapter and the opportunity to build Atlantic Place into an unforgettable dining experience is where I now belong,” he said.

Atlantic Place will occupy the restaurant space left vacant when Bello Cucina closed its Marshall location in June. Walker said he plans to incorporate locally sourced-products into menu of craft food and cocktails.

“When I’m asked about the menu, I explain that we want to bring a vast experience with some local excellence to the table,” he said.

Walker said every aspect of a meal is important, including the atmosphere.

“I like to think about dining as an experience. It’s not just eating,” Walker said. “I tell my staff that making the food is a very important part of what we do, but making people feel like they are extraordinary is really our purpose. The food is the focal point, but the atmosphere and the service make or breaks the experience,” he said.

The restaurant space in the Atlantic Hotel building is being updated for Atlantic Place, Knochenmus Enterprises said. Atlantic Place’s grand opening is anticipated this fall.