Boston Magazine Honors Steven Valenti and Barrington Stage

Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Boston Magazine has recognized a longtime business staple in the city of Pittsfield, along with the city's Tony Award-winning playhouse in its annual "Best of Boston" list.

For the first time, the magazine devoted a section of the list to the Berkshires and gave a nod to Steven Valenti Clothing for Men in downtown Pittsfield as the region's best men's clothing store.

The magazine raves, "So many stores have forsaken good, old-fashioned service for the ubiquitous bottom line. But integrity still means something at this North Street shop."

In addition, Boston Magazine lauded Barrington Stage Company, which will soon call Pittsfield's Berkshire Music Hall its permanent home. The magazine rated BSC as the region's best alternative theater, saying: "Once in a blue moon, a regional theater becomes a Broadway darling. That time is now for the Barrington Stage Company, whose '25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' scored not one but two Tony Awards this year, including best actor for the company's own Dan Fogler."

Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto congratulated Valenti and the Barrington Stage for the recognition in the "Best of Boston 2005" in the August issue of Boston Magazine.

"It's fantastic to see attention being paid to some of the people who are making Pittsfield a great place to live and work," said Ruberto. "It's just another sign that the rest of the world is beginning to see all that this city has to offer."

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories