Berkshire Writers Room Receives $500 Donation From Anonymous Dono

Print Story | Email Story
On August 30th The Berkshire Writers Room received an anonymous donation of $500.00 specifically designated for a membership scholarship fund for poets and writers who, due to limited resources, are unable to pay for membership in The Berkshire Writers Room Inc. The scholarship will cover 'first-year' membership. No more than three scholarships per year will be awarded. Interested parties must attend at least two free workshops before making application. If approved, they must agree to attend three more workshops and/or BWR functions. Anyone who wishes to contribute to the fund may make a tax deductible donation to: The Berkshire Writers Room, Membership Scholarship Fund, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 For applications and guidelines, please call the Writers Room office at 413.236.2191.
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 Berkshire County Stories