An Irish pub may be up and running in downtown DeKalb in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

Mel Witmer, owner of O’Leary’s Irish Pub and Grill in Dixon, has purchased the former Maurice’s building at 260 E. Lincoln Highway.

The building has been vacant since Maurice’s left more than a year ago.

“It fills a niche that hasn’t been filled by anyone else,” said Denise Weinmann, a commercial realtor.

The pub primarily will be a restaurant that serves alcohol. O’Leary’s will operate under a Class E liquor license, Witmer said.

“We’re not a dollar-beer bar; we won’t be charging cover or anything like that.”

In addition to interior restoration work, Witmer will restore the exterior to an early 1900s wooden facade, he said.

“We’re basically renovating the building from top to bottom,” Witmer said.

Chad Bryden, economic development planner, said the establishment will focus more on younger adults who are out of college.

The restaurant also will be popular for people visiting downtown, he said.

“It was a good fit,” Bryden said. “This new addition to the downtown should be viewed as a compliment to the redevelopment efforts currently underway through the city’s Downtown Streetscaping Program.