iBerkshires.com - The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.

Campaign Aims to Help North Berkshire Families, Restaurants

December 05, 2020 | 07:02AM

The "win-win" fund-raiser raises funds through a Gofundme campaign that will be turned into vouchers for $50 that can be redeemed at participating restaurants. Donors' contributions therefore benefit both the families, who receive meals, and the restaurants, who get the money to help carry them through the difficult economic times.

Pittsfield Board of Health OKs Indoor Dining

December 02, 2020 | 08:50PM

The Board of Health on Wednesday rescinded the ban imposed on Nov. 12 and issued new guidance that changes the maximum seating to six people per table from 10.

Tyer Offers Compromise That Would Restore Indoor Dining

December 02, 2020 | 03:53AM

A group of about 25 eatery owners pressed Mayor Linda Tyer to lift the ban on indoor dining instituted on Nov. 12 after a dramatic spike in COVID-19 cases, some of which could traced back to gatherings at several local restaurants.

Pittsfield Restaurant Owners Want Dining Suspension Lifted

December 01, 2020 | 02:40AM

On Monday, Hot Dog Ranch owner Craig Benoit stood outside City Hall with the support of other restaurant owners to ask that Mayor Linda Tyer comes out and have a conversation about the ban enacted on Nov. 12 after a dramatic spike in novel coronavirus cases.

Mayor Announces a Restaurant Rapid Response Grant Program

November 16, 2020 | 04:02AM

The Restaurant Rapid Response Grant program will offer up to $5,000 to eligible restaurants to help with rent, mortgage, utilities, payroll, supplies, and inventory.

Pittsfield Eateries Prepare for Another Long Indoor Dining Shutdown

November 14, 2020 | 05:53AM

Luke Marion, owner of Otto's Kitchen & Comfort, announced on Nov. 11, just one day before the city suspended indoor dining, that Otto's would be offering delivery and takeout only because of the recent uptick in cases.

Two Popular Restaurants Temporarily Closed Due to COVID-19

November 07, 2020 | 06:02AM

With the recent uptick of COVID-19 cases in Berkshire County, two well-frequented restaurants have temporarily shut their doors because of exposure to the virus. Both said they wanted to be transparent to their customers and staff about what had happened.

Pittsfield Licensing Board Ratifies Outdoor Dining Extension

November 05, 2020 | 02:56AM

In June, the Licensing Board voted unanimously to give Campoli the ability to independently act upon applications to expand restaurant service outdoors.

Flavours of Malaysia Announces Closing In December

October 21, 2020 | 02:29AM

Owners Sabrina Tan and Chin Lee said they were staying open long enough to allow them to pay off their debts and for any gift certificate holders to use them.

Pittsfield Downtown Experimenting With 'Pod' Dining

October 05, 2020 | 05:25PM

In partnership with Berkshire Bank, Downtown Pittsfield Inc., and nonprofit green energy organization SolarFi, three of SolarFi's patented Prive pods will be installed for the use of local restaurants.

North Adams Gains $44K MassDOT Grant to Expand Outdoor Dining

September 09, 2020 | 04:00AM

The city has received a $44,483 grant from the state's Shared Streets and Spaces Program to promote outdoor dining in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

New Drive-Thru Eatery, Classic Car Business Approved in North Adams

August 15, 2020 | 06:01AM

The proprietors of the popular Freight Yard Pub were approved for a new venture in the former Dairy Queen on Curran Highway.

Pittsfield Taco Bell to Move Across Street

July 20, 2020 | 03:52AM

Some commissioners wanted some more time with the application and Commissioner Jonathan Lothrop asked for a continuance.

Williamstown Won't Attempt Street Closure Saturday

July 17, 2020 | 12:09PM

After hearing more testimony from a local business owner at Monday's meeting, the members of the Select Board showed no interest in going through with the plan to allow outdoor dining and shopping in downtown between 4 and 10 p.m.

Spring Street Will Be Closed Saturday for Outdoor Dining

June 23, 2020 | 07:15PM

At the end of Monday's more than 2 1/2-hour meeting of the Select Board, Chair Jane Patton announced that the street will be closed from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday.

Limited Indoor Dining, Nail Salons Can Resume on Monday

June 19, 2020 | 01:41PM

Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday morning said the second step in Phase 2 of Reopening Massachusetts would commence on June 22, allowing for some inside dining, close contact person services, fitting rooms by appointment and increasing the occupancy percentage of offices.

Williamstown Making No Plans for On-Street Dining

June 13, 2020 | 06:14PM

Town Manager Jason Hoch last month floated the idea of temporary closures during limited hours as a way to help local businesses recover from the closures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

MassDOT Offering Municipal Grants to Outdoor Dining, Mobility

June 11, 2020 | 02:16PM

Towns and cities trying to aid businesses in reopening will have access to some $5 million in grants through the state Department of Transportation.

Adams Preparing For Outside Dining

June 09, 2020 | 01:01PM

Restaurants have been limited to take out and delivery since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. The reopening plan is great news for an industry that, according to the National Restaurant Association, lost a total of $80 billion in sales and over 5 million jobs in March and April alone because of the global pandemic.