Gideon's Nightery Gets New Name, Manager, Menu

By Susan Bush12:00AM / Friday, October 13, 2006Print Story | Email Story

Vaal London-Kane is manager at EGL, formerly known as Gideon's Luncheon and Nightery.

North Adams - Her name is Vaal London-Kane and she's planning a "hip, contemporary vibe" for an Eagle Street eatery, beginning with a name change. EGL Gideon's Luncheon and Nightery at 23 Eagle St. is now known as "EGL," London-Kane said during a recent interview. The name comes from the text message version of the word "eagle" and was chosen to highlight the restaurant's location along one of the city's most historic districts. "I've always been in love with this street," London-Kane said. "It's so historic and it can be a beautiful element of the downtown." New signs reflecting the name change will be erected once city Planning Board members approve sign design, she said. Restaurant owner William "Bill" Gideon recently named London-Kane as the restaurant's house manager and program director. London-Kane came to the Northern Berkshires about six years ago from New York City and is an artist. The restaurant had been managed by Rob Ross. Gideon also owns "Gideon's" restaurant on Holden Street. Structural changes are not part of anticipated changes but an evolution of ambiance is expected, London-Kane said. The goal is creation of an establishment that is appealing to area natives, newcomers, and visitors, she said. "There is so much potential here and in this city," London-Kane said. "I really want this to work. The area really feels like home to me and I think the best thing that I can do is participate." Variety And Comfort "I think my motto is 'casual, not careless,'" she said. "It's about comfortable food, comfortable atmosphere, good service. I'm going to up the ante at the bar with a lot of handmade drinks." Additional plans include an emphasis on a variety of beers. London-Kane said she hopes to restore the bar beer taps and introduce new beers to restaurant patrons. The menu will focus on "simple, good food with a lot of house-made condiments," she added. Angus beef burgers and varieties of hot dog will become anchor items. For instance, an all-beef kosher hot dog, "kraut-dogs" and other specialty hot dogs are being considered for menu inclusion, she said. At least two of the existing menu panini sandwiches will be be part of a new menu. Dining specials, such as a "Two-Bit Tuesday" offer of two spiced hot dogs for the price of one, are under consideration as well, she said. The restaurant will remain open through menu and other changes. Halloween Party Grand Opening Event A Halloween Party Grand Opening celebration is scheduled for Sat., Oct. 28. People are asked to wear black and red to the event. "This is more like a cocktail party," London-Kane said. "I'm hoping to reinvent Halloween for adults." Long-range plans include winter on-site bartender classes. A Sunday brunch is being planned for the start of 2007. Brunches may be themed; a "bingo brunch" is a possibility, London-Kane said. How 'Bout Dinner And A Movie? A second-floor entertainment venue will undergo a makeover, with large sofas brought in to replace wrought iron furniture, London-Kane said. "I'd like to arrange sofas and small tables into quadrants, and bring a nice atmosphere to that space," she said. "I want people to feel that they have their space but are a part of things. I'd like to have movie nights. Just turn the sofas around and you have a theater." Special events, private parties, and concerts will continue at the premises, she said. Additional information about EGL may be acquired by contacting London-Kane at 413-664-0404. Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or 802-823-9367.

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Berkshires Remember First Responders, Military Personnel Lost at 9/11 and Aftermath

By Jack Guerino & Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Friday, September 11, 2026

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, with Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre speaks at Friday's memorial.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The county's two cities held memorials on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Great Barrington was scheduled to hold a dedication of piece of steel from the World Trade Center at 6 p.m.

North Adams held its ceremony in the fire station's side garden starting at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower.

The small square of grass was packed with police officers, firefighters, wire and alarm personnel, dispatchers, and Northern Berkshire EMS employees, and city employees, officials and community members.

After the ceremonial tolling of the bell, an honor guard presented the colors.

Mayor Jennifer Macksey said it felt odd welcoming people to a very solemn event.

"What happened 25 years ago put a mark on emergency services. It put additional pressure on police, fire, EMS, and dispatchers," Macksey said. "While we remember those who lost their lives during 9/11, and those who ran to help as many as they could during 9/11, we have to pause and appreciate those who continue to serve despite that awful threat that occurred 25 years ago."

She said it was a direct attack on the United States and all of its people.

"It was a question of our freedoms and our ability to be safe in our communities," the mayor said. "I can say today that here in North Adams, it could happen to us, but I know with the professionalism of our Fire Department, Police Department, EMS, and our dispatch team, we are a better community; we are a safer community than we were 25 years ago."

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