Chapters Bookstore Welcomes Jana Laiz

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PITTSFIELD, Mass - Chapters Bookstore will host Jana Laiz, author of Weeping Under This Same Moon, in the event room on Friday November 21 at 6PM for a reading and signing. Weeping Under This Same Moon tells the story of Mei, a Vietnamese artist whose life has been disrupted by the Vietnam War. She is the first to leave her family, bearing the responsibility of caring for her two siblings, during the exodus of thousands of refugees known as “Boat People.”

Hannah is an angry American high school student whose passion for writing and the environment only intensify her outcast state. When she learns of the plight of the Boat People she is moved to action. The International Rescue Committee has endorsed Weeping Under This Same Moon as “…a stunning achievement…” and “…inspiring.” Award winning author Emmanuel Dongala calls Weeping Under This Same Moon “…uplifting…” and “…beautifully written.”

Landmark Volunteers calls Weeping Under This Same Moon “…compelling” and recommends it to “…any adult or young person wishing to see what can happen by the simple act of volunteering.” The Women’s Times calls Weeping Under This Same Moon “…an eye opening powerhouse of a novel…a gripping, sobering, emotional and ultimately gratifying book.”

The evening marks the first annual pumpkin bakeoff at Chapters Bookstore, as well. Cooks are welcome to register their best pumpkin dish and bring it on the 21st of November for a tasting. Prizes will be awarded.
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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. 

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