Bistro Eyed for Newhall Crossing

Salvatore Palumbo wants to bring a 90-seat bistro with full-service alcohol to Newhall Crossing, according to preliminary plans filed with the city.

The restaurant would be located in a vacant space at the southwesterly corner of the plaza at 139 Lynnfield St., currently home to , two salons and an insurance office.

The restaurant would be approximately 3,000 square feet including space for a bar to seat 35-40 patrons, room for a piano or musical trio – ethnic music is a possibility – and Palumbo would seek an entertainment license from the City Council if it grants him a special permit to serve alcohol.

Under the new zoning changes adopted this spring, the plaza is now in a General Business District and alcohol is only allowed by special permit.

The proposed business hours are 11 a.m. - 1 a .m. and Palumbo hopes to serve brunch on holidays and Sundays. The restaurant would utilize 152 parking spaces already on-site. Plans are to have eight to 12 employees and place a Dumpster at the rear of the site abutting the railroad.

Palumbo built the T-shaped plaza using bricks salvaged from an old leather manufacturing plant at the site – Remis Industries. Palumbo purchased the aging warehouse (built in 1870) from the Remis family for $750,000, according to city records.

The date of the original building did mark it with some historical value, but city officials found that the dilapidated condition of the structure posed significant challenges to restoring it.

Peabody attorney David Ankeles is representing Palumbo on the project and will appear before the City Council on July 14 for a public hearing on the petition.