Liquor License Passed for Joe Fish in North Reading

Owners of Joe Fish in North Andover Jim Demetri and Jim Dietz went before the selectmen Monday night to have their liquor license approved for the new Joe Fish restaurant that will be located in the old Piccadilly Pub space. The liquor license was approved unanimously.

Both Demetri and Dietz co-own Joe Fish and the Loft in North Andover and plan to open another Joe Fish on Main Street in North Reading. The restaurant will have 150 seats and 20 bar seats, according to Demetri.

The duo plans to make several changes to the building. The interior was gutted and will be renovated. The building will be repainted and new signage installed.

The restaurant has 95 dedicated parking spots and four handicapped spots.

Town Administrator Greg Balukonis asked if they planned to have outdoor seating. They would like to, Demetri said, but that is not in their plans now.

If they keep the same hours as their North Andover restaurant, they will open for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and close the kitchen at 10:30 p.m. The bar will close one half hour later at 11 p.m., Dietz said.

They plan to have construction and renovations complete by Dec. 1.

“That’s our story and that’s what we’re sticking to," Demetri said. "We’re not telling the contractors anything different.”

Selectmen Chairman Sean Delaney asked if they had any problems with their liquor license in North Andover. Both men said they had never had an issue.

Selectman Steve O'Leary said that he appreciated their investment in the community and that Route 28 needed the restaurant.

The liquor license passed unanimously.