 Five Local Women-Owned Restaurants Receive Grant FundingFrankie's Ristorante Italiano in Lenox; Freight Yard Pub and Renee's Diner in North Adams; Truc Orient Express in West Stockbridge, and Crisp in Williamstown were among 80 eateries statewide awarded $400,000 total in grants.  Mama's Place Bringing Pub-Style Home Cooking to AdamsHer goal with Mama's Place was to provide Adams with homemade food and desserts while also keeping it at an economical price. She is active on the eatery's Facebook page, often posting about specials and deals for the restaurant.  Patrick's Pub For Sale After Almost 40 Years in BusinessThe owners of the popular Patrick's Pub, the Powell family, have decided to sell the business after 20 years of running and then owning it.  RJ's Restaurant Opens in Former Rainbow in PittsfieldRJ's Restaurant — located in the former Rainbow Restaurant on First Street — specializes in seafood, chops, and pasta in an elegant but approachable setting.  Chipotle Plans Takeover of Pittsfield Taco Bell LocationChipotle Mexican Grill filed a notice of intent with the Conservation Commission for the proposed redevelopment of the existing Taco Bell.  Former Lenox Tavern Owners to Open Eatery at Pittsfield HotelThe former owners of the Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox are opening a restaurant in the Holiday Inn after selling the eatery in March.  Williamstown Restaurant Plans to Reopen After Long Pandemic ClosureAfter nearly a year and a half, a popular Williamstown eatery plans to reopen its doors to the public this week.  Pittsfield Restaurant Offers Italian Cuisine With Chilean FlairMegan and Ronald Gomez have a shared passion for food and have always dreamed of owning their own restaurant. That dream came to fruition with the opening of Sibaritas on Friday.  Thistle & Mirth Owners Opening Burger Joint in Downtown PittsfieldCo-owners of Thistle and Mirth Joad Bowman and Austin Oliver are embarking on a new endeavor in the former Flavors of Malaysia at 75 North St.  Chez Nous Donates $900 to Berkshire Humane SocietyChez Nous raised $900 for the Berkshire Humane Society with a vegan pop-up and continues to host fundraising "Community Nights" when a portion of proceeds go to local charities.  Pittsfield's Thistle & Mirth Expands as Ramen RestaurantThe currently closed Thistle and Mirth pub is reopening as a spacious ramen restaurant and bar by taking over the abutting space that formerly housed Berkshire Print Shop on West Street  Campaign Aims to Help North Berkshire Families, RestaurantsThe "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 DiningThe 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 DiningA 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 LiftedOn 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 ProgramThe 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 ShutdownLuke 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-19With 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 ExtensionIn 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 DecemberOwners 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' DiningIn 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 DiningThe 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 AdamsThe 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 StreetSome commissioners wanted some more time with the application and Commissioner Jonathan Lothrop asked for a continuance.  Williamstown Won't Attempt Street Closure SaturdayAfter 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. |
