DANVERS — For years, Danvers Square was a place to fill a prescription, cash a check or fix your bike.
You could grab a quick bite at Supreme Roast Beef, Rocco's Pizza House or New Brothers deli, but if you were looking for a full-service meal, the options were limited.
Until now.
The downtown has experienced what Town Manager Wayne Marquis touts as a restaurant renaissance, with five eateries opening in the past year, the most recent last night. The new spots run the gamut from pub food to a high-end bistro to the square's first Thai restaurant.
The latest newcomer, Matt Sanidas of 9 Elm American Bistro, said he has been struck by the nightlife the new eateries have brought.
"It looked like Newburyport. It looked like Beverly," Sanidas said of a recent stroll on Maple Street. "It was hopping."
The new restaurants are Cody's Brewing Company, Panini Pizzeria, Camille's Sidewalk Café, Sawasdee Danvers Thai restaurant and 9 Elm American Bistro.
Camille's and Sawasdee are in the former C.F. Tompkins building. They are across the street from Lucciano's, a sit-down restaurant that opened in the spring of 2007.
Sanidas, a chef who grew up in Danvers, opened the Bistro on Elm Street with his wife, Jean, in the spot formerly occupied by Grappa's Italian Cuisine and Seafood.
Having a critical mass of restaurants is key, said Robert Ocko, owner of Camille's.
"It creates more activity in town, and when they come in town, they will say, 'There's a Thai restaurant, I'll try that.'"
Here is a taste of the Square's newest eateries:
Panini Pizzeria
Opened: One year ago
Address: 2 Cherry St.
Phone number: 978-774-6200
Web site: www.paninipizzeria.com
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 9 p.m.
Owner: Chris Salvo of Danvers. He and his father used to own Salvo's North End Pizza. Salvo then opened Plum Tomatoes in Peabody before opening up in Danvers Square.
Signature dish: The Roma Tomato pizza, plus other brick oven gourmet pizzas; subs, wraps, calzones and soups.
Why Danvers Square?
"It's where I grew up. It's nearby my house," said Salvo, who said his wife, Tracie, with whom he has twin 11-year-old boys, Joshua and Drew, decorated the restaurant. "This was an old building, so it was being rebuilt, so, like I said, timing is everything."
Sawasdee Danvers
Opened: Aug. 31
Address: 49A Maple St.
Phone number: 978-774-THAI (8424)
Web site: www.sawasdeedanvers.com
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 4 to 9:30 p.m.
Owners: Jarinee "Gee" Chopelas of Danvers and chef Wiboon "Jackie" Handilok of Braintree.
Signature dishes: Ramayana beef steak, larb gai, ocean buddy and lemongrass chicken, among others.
Why Danvers Square?
The new restaurant is located in what was the former Tompkins furniture building, and its name means 'hello' or 'god bless' Danvers in Thai. Chopelas has lived in town for four years and found there was a lack of sit-down restaurants in a "cute" downtown.
"When we saw this spot, we said it was perfect for us," she said.
9 ELM AMERICAN BISTRO
Opened: last night
Address: 9 Elm St.
Phone number: 978-774-9436
Web site: www.9elm.com
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 4:30 to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 4:30 to 10 p.m.; Sundays, private parties
Owners: Matt and Jean Sanidas of Danvers
Signature dishes: Italian, French and creative American cuisine, locally sourced food, with a focus on what is in season.
Why Danvers Square?
"It's just the community I grew up in," Sanidas said. "I lived here for 30 years. It's just nice knowing the community. It's something Danvers was lacking, a small chef-owned bistro."
Camille's Sidewalk Cafe
Opened: Start of this month
Address: 49 Maple St.
Phone number: 978-767-4184
Web site: www.camillescafe.com
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
Owner: Robert Ocko of Charlestown
Signature dishes: Wraps, grilled wraps, paninis, sandwiches, salads and flatbread pizzas. Signature soup is a creamy Tuscan tomato.
Why Danvers Square?
This is the only chain restaurant of the bunch, and it was opened in the square by Ocko because he is from Manchester, has family in town, and he felt a mall location would not allow him to build a base of regulars.
"That's why I chose Danvers," Ocko said, "and especially Danvers Square. Unlike a lot of other town centers, it's a very vibrant downtown."
Cody Brewing Company
Opened: October 2007
Address: 62 Maple St.
Hours: 5 p.m. to midnight, Tuesday through Friday; 2 p.m. to midnight, Saturdays and Sundays
Owner: Sean Cody
Signature dishes: Alehouse serves basic pub food, such as hot dogs, burgers and seasonal stews, but its focus is on its ales. S.O.S. is its flagship brew, and ales are brewed according to the season.
Why Danvers Square?
"I have a lot of family here. It seemed like one of those places that you needed a brewery," Cody said. The business has moved its brewing operation to Peabody, which may allow it to expand its menu offerings.
