Mazzeo's Planning Move to South Street

By Larry KratkaBerkshire News Network
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Mazzeo family is moving its famed eatery to new, bigger digs soon.

The Berkshire News Network has learned that the Mazzeos, who own Mazzeo's Ristorante on Winter Street, have entered into an agreement to purchase the closed Asters Restaurant on South Street at an undisclosed price.

Anthony "Tony" Mazzeo said that once the purchase is complete, he plans on moving the Italian restaurant to the new location.

After dealing with parking issues and a small kitchen at the current building, the Aster's location will serve the needs of his customers much better, he said.

The 4-year-old Asters closed abruptly in November, the victim of rising costs and declining dining. The owner, Joseph M. Toole of Lenox, told The Berkshire Eagle the renovated restaurant would go on the market immediately. It seems the Mazzeos took him at his word.


Tony Mazzeo said he has been in negotiations with Asters since Thanksgiving and, if all goes according to plan, the move from Winter Street to South Street could take place as early as April. 

Mazzeo's Ristorante has been at 7 Winter St. since it opened in 1988. The popular eatery caters to all ages and features homemade pastas and desserts.

Mazzeo, who owns the restaurant with his brother Michael, said they don't plan on selling the Winter Street site and will continue to operate the building for weddings and other functions. Mazzeo's also offers catering and banquet services.

 

The Berkshire News Network, which includes radio stations WNAW and WUPE, is a media partner of iBerkshires.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A new chapter in local efforts to combat housing insecurity officially began as community leaders and residents gathered at The First on to celebrate a major expansion of supportive housing in the city.

The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street.  The Housing Resource Center, funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, hosted a celebration for a project that is named for its rarity: The First. 

"What got us here today is the power of community working in partnership and with a shared purpose," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said. 

In addition to the 28 studio units at 111 West Housatonic Street and nine units in the rear of the church building, the Housing Resource Center will be open seven days a week with two lounges, a classroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and lockers. 

Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, challenged attendees to transform the space in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church into a community center.  It is planned to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

"I get calls from folks that want to help out, and our shelters just aren't the right spaces to be able to do that. The First will be that space that we can all come together and work for the betterment of our community," Forbush said. 

"…I am a true believer that things evolve, and things here will evolve with the people that are utilizing it." 

Earlier that day, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and her team in Housatonic to announce $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $5.45 million to Berkshire County. 

He said it was ambitious to take on these two projects at once, but it will move the needle.  The EOHLC contributed more than $7.8 million in subsidies and $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the West Housatonic Street build, and $1.6 million in ARPA funds for the First Street apartments.

"We're trying to get people out of shelter and off the streets, but we know there are a lot of people who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, who are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves," Augustus said. 

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