SPRINGFIELD — There is a new Indian cuisine restaurant, Panjabi Tadka, in the same location where popular Indian restaurant Sitar used to be.

Located at 1688 Main St., Panjabi Tadka opened on Sept. 24 and celebrated its grand opening the following Thursday.

The new Panjabi Tadka offers many of the same menu items as Sitar, but is under new management and ownership. Panjabi Tadki is now owned by Narinder Kaur and Sokhbir Kaur.

Sitar closed in January, citing the "sluggish economy." The restaurant had been in business since 1990. Signs on the door of Sitar at the time said it hoped to reopen.

Manager Malkit Singh said Panjabi Tadka hopes to offer better quality food than Sitar did, although many people don’t know the new restaurant is open. He says he is optimistic about the new opportunities for business in downtown Springfield.

“The way everyone is working in New England Farm Council, from the mayor’s office, they’re all working together to bring the city to life,” said Singh. “That’s why we came to do business here, because we’ve seen new opportunities and more development coming for the future.”

The Paramount building, where Panjabi Tadka is located, was bought by the New England Farm Workers Council in March 2011 for $1.725 million. New England Farm Workers Council President Heriberto "Herbie" Flores said his organization had financing plans for $12 million in renovations to the building.

Renovations on the Paramount building are under way, but will not be completed for at least another year and a half, according to Jane Malone, Deputy Director of the Partners for Community, an affiliate of the New England Farm Workers Council.

“It’s preserving the historic nature of it, including research on the paint colors, new seats, everything. It’s really a major overhaul,” said Malone.

Sitar isn’t the only restaurant that closed in recent years in that area. L’uva Restaurant, located on the same block, closed in 2008.

Singh said Panjabi Tadka hopes to see more business as people learn about the restaurant and renovations continue. The restaurant offers a variety of items, including vegetarian options, chicken, lamb, shrimp and chef specialties.

Panjabi Tadka is open for lunch Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 3p.m., and for dinner Monday through Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m.