ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
The pop-up pub in Peabody, held on Main Street Saturday night, was the second of its kind and was held as a way to celebrate the end of construction in Peabody Square and to draw attention to downtown businesses.
By LEAH DEARBORN
PEABODY — A pop-up pub hosted by neighborhood organization Peabody Main Streets made Saturday night a party in the downtown.
The event, which took place on Main Street across from the Peabody Institute Library, was the second of its kind and built on last year’s success.
Deanne Healey, Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce president, said it was also a way to celebrate the end of construction in Peabody Square and to draw attention to downtown businesses.
Healey said that gauging interest in what residents and city visitors want to see on Main Street was a priority as well.
All of the beer sold at the pub came from Notch Brewery in Salem. A DJ and a small fire pit for roasting marshmallows were also on site.
“It brings people down here whether they’re from Peabody or not,” said Julie Daigle, business liaison for the City of Peabody, about the pop-up pub. “We like to see people go out for dinner and stop by here later.”
The event also brought attention to new coffee shop Breaking Grounds, located at 67 Main St., which is owned by disability nonprofit Northeast Arc.
“Everyone has been super encouraging and nice,” said Tim Brown, Arc director of day services. “People have come and said they’re thrilled to see us open and that they’ll be back.”
Brown said that the cafe is in its second week of operation and will continue to add new food options and hours.
Many participants of the pop-up pub turned out just to have a drink and some fun on a cool fall night.
“It was the love of beer that brought me here,” said Peabody resident and attendee Robert Silva, who was dressed in a lederhosen costume and drinking a Notch Session Pils.