New Pub in the Works for Downtown Peabody

Nothing beats a little family competition.

John Mastrangelo, who is related to Courthouse Pub owner Steve Mastrangelo, is looking to open up his own establishment in downtown Peabody; in fact, it would be an offshoot of his East Boston eatery Kelley's Square Pub.

As for a location, John Mastrangelo is planning to take over the former Fire Bull Restaurant space on Central Street, which has been vacant since owner Gladys Coehlo shut the doors in September 2011.

Mastrangelo will appear before the Licensing Board Monday for a new all-alcohol restaurant license at 5 Central St. with a business name as Kelley's Square Pub.

"Believe it or not, there's a full liquor license available," said board chairman Minas Dakos, alluding to the scarcity of such licenses, particularly ones that can be obtained from the city for a fraction of the price licenseholders often sell them for.

If Mastrangelo receives approval from the board, he'll just owe the city $2,250 plus filing fees and another $250 is due to the state. By comparison, .

Dakos, on Friday afternoon, said he wasn't aware of too many of the details yet for the new pub, other than that it would be a restaurant as opposed to a bar.

The menu at Kelley's Bennington Street location does include sandwiches, wraps, pizza, calzones, salads, pasta, seafood, several other entrees, and of course, the bar. It's also considered a family-friendly establishment.

This particular liquor license in Peabody became available recently when the city finally prevailed over a 2010 appeal of the board's revocation of the license. The board revoked a license held by Richard Marchese for being in limbo for 2-1/2 years.

Monday's board hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the basement conference room at City Hall.