When he looks around the 600 block of Northampton Street, Sharbel Koorie sees a Mexican/Puerto Rican restaurant, a Chinese take-out joint and an Irish pub.

So why not Lebanese food as well?

That's the thinking -- part of it, anyway -- behind Daddy's Place, the restaurant Koorie wants to put at 650 Northampton St., the former home of the Northampton Glass Works.

"There's a nice diverse culture in that area and a lot of varieties of food that are available," Koorie told the city's Zoning Hearing Board Monday night, minutes before it granted his request. 

In addition to serving as a restaurant, Daddy's Place will also function as a convenience store that sells six-packs of beer.

At the center of the restaurant will be a kitchen with a brick oven where cooks will prepare bread on the premises.

"People would be able to order a sandwich and get fresh bread right out of the oven," Koorie said.

His attorney, Ted Lewis, asked if he'd be making improvements to the property.

"Substantial," Koorie said, noting that he'd essentially have to gut the building.

Neighbor Eric Wenzelberger, who lives behind in the site on S. Locust Street, told the board he was glad Koorie was making improvements.

But he also had concerns about the project, including its effect on local property values, and whether the sign on the building would burn through the night.

This wasn't enough to sway the board, which voted unanimously to approve Koorie's request. He has said he hopes to open by the end of the year.

Koorie told the board he will operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., although hours could be cut back on Sundays.