image description
Shelley Strizzi has taken over the former Joanne's Luncheonette on Elm Street. She and her boyfriend David Amuso say the diner is a family affair.

Shelley's Kitchen Continues Community Atmosphere on Elm Street

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Shelley Strizzi found her way back to the space that started her restaurant career but this time around, she owns it.
 
Strizzi and her boyfriend, David Amuso, opened Shelley's Kitchen in the former Joanne's Elm Street Luncheonette. 
 
Joanne's had been part of the community for nearly a half century, developing a strong patronage and a connection with the community. 
 
For Strizzi, the former diner became part of her journey helping her ignite her passion in the food industry. 
 
She started working for Joanne at the age of 14, when she would walk to the establishment after school and spend her Saturdays washing dishes. She went on to work at a variety of restaurants including Cim's Tavern, Luau Hale, and The Soda Chief and jumped around positions, including waitressing and  bartending, learning the industry. 
 
"I've worked in the restaurant business for 40 years and I've always loved it … it's just fun. You know, it's family. My nanny always told me it's family, friends, good food and good times," Strizzi said. 
 
The Pittsfield native wants to give back to the community that made her who she is today. 
 
"This is where the dream started for her. She never really lost it. Just never thought she was able to come. Very rarely does somebody end up owning the place where they started," broker Steve Ray said.
 
"She was fortunate enough to go out and work for some of the best in the industry at what they do and take a page from each one. There's no doubt she'll do well."
 
Strizzi often told Amuso of her desire to own a restaurant of her own but never thought in "a million years" that dream would turn into reality.
 
The hometown eatery vibe that the community has come to love still runs deep in the foundation of the new Shelley's Kitchen. Although they have only been open three weeks, they already have regulars, Strizzisaid. 
 
The restaurant is family run with some of the staff being Strizzi and Amuso's parents, kids, or grandchildren. 
 
"We've got four generations on the weekends working here. That's pretty amazing," Amuso said.
 
Other staff and patrons have also become part of the Shelly's Kitchen family. Some of the patrons who choose to make the diner a regular part of their day have had their meals named after them.
 
Although Joanne Longton retired in January, she still comes into the diner and helps out whenever they need her, Strizzi said. 
 
Strizzi is continuing with the same community that Longton cultivated, Ray said. 
 
"It's more of a little community place here and that's what Joanne obviously had. She knew that Shelley would keep that going and that's why I think she was so happy to see that it was Shelley," he said. 
 
The diner serves up eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, homemade pie, and other classic meals Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6 to 2 and Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 12:30. 
 
More information here

Tags: new business,   restaurants,   

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

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories