image description — New owner Carol Donahue hopes to reopen the Coyote Den by June 21.

Coyote Den In Lanesborough Sold

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
04:51PM / Thursday, June 09, 2011Print Story | Email Story

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Ownership of the Coyote Den on Main Street has switched hands.

Carol Donahue, the owner of Casey's Billiards, finalized the purchase Tuesday and intends to operate it in a similar fashion once permitting and inspections are complete. Donahue said Tuesday that she aims to reopen with mostly the same staff on June 21.

"I went down to check it out and fell in love with the place. I've been wanting a restaurant for years," Donahue said. "I'm looking to run it about the same [way that the previous owner did]."

Donahue said all but two members of the staff agreed to return under the new ownership. The restaurant will continue its popular karaoke and trivia nights and the new owner said she would like to bring in more free musical acts to highlight the nights. The Coyote Den will continue its pizza delivery service as well.

"It's a pretty turnkey operation," Donahue said. "It's a beautiful building and the staff was wonderful."

While the menu items will remain, Donahue said she saw opportunities to raise the food's quality while keeping prices affordable. She also plans to introduce lunch and dinner specials.

Previous owner Keith Randall said Tuesday that he put the buisiness up for sale because he is moving out of state to pursue other business opportunities. The den was the last piece he needed out of his hands before moving, he said.

"I'm moving to Florida ... I sold my house and I have other opportunities down there," Randall said Tuesday.

Randall advertised the business — including all of the inventory and equipment — for $40,000 but Donahue said she was able to talk him down a little bit.

"It was a short transaction," Donahue said. "It went very smoothly."

Donahue said she will reopen after the permits and inspections are complete and close at 9 p.m. until her liquor license is approved. She said she does not foresee any problems with the permits. Donahue is in good standing with her current liquor license at Casey's Billiards, she said.

Once approved, the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. until midnight on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday and from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For now, it will be closed on Mondays.

"I'm buying the sports package so I want to be open on Mondays when it's football season," Donahue said. "Then we will be open seven days."

Donahue said she is amazed at the support she is already receiving and said that many of the den's regulars have stopped in at Casey's Billiards to meet her.

Tags: Casey's, Coyote Den,

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Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

Sorry, but I don't believe one bit of this story. Just decided to go out one day and buy a restaurant? Maybe the mall was closed. If the place was making money, it would sell for more than $40K (including equipment?) or the owner could go to FL and pay someone to run it. And if it's not making money, why would the new owner keep the place the same? And come on, people going to the other business to meet the new owner - right.
from: Nah	on: 06-09-2011 05:15PM I Agree (13) - I Disagree (2)
*Editor: Aren't you making a lot of speculation about what you* would do? These people aren't you.**
I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I'm speculating what a business person would do. I didn't mean to imply that the I didn't believe the reporter. I have to believe that there is more to the story than was told to the reporter.
from: Nah	on: 06-09-2011 10:31PM I Agree (8) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: You're probably right. People don't always tell everything.
I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Wonder if they'll charge me $.50 for a glass of ice water like they do at Casey's?
from: Berkshiregirl	on: 06-10-2011 09:47PM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (3)

I played there once..that was enough. Mr. Randall didn't have a clue as to what the general public wanted for entertainment. Forcing his female employees to wear skimpy outfits and parade around the place. Sounds like he was trying to be a 'Hooters Wannabe'...didn't work. All I can say now is 'good riddance'.
from: Old Rocker	on: 06-11-2011 10:26AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (2)

I think this is Great! Anyone that can open a business in this economy has got to have it together. Ms Donahue, I wish you nothing but the best, and disregard any of the idiots who are clearly petty and enjoy bashing people from behind a computer screen. I'm looking forward to my first meal there!
from: Leader of the pack	on: 06-12-2011 01:34PM I Agree (5) - I Disagree (2)

I am sorry I do not agree with nah if you dont know the story you should not make stupid comments about it. Carol is a great business owner and it shows at Casseys she cares about people and it shows! I have been to casseys and its a wonderful place to go with family and enjoy yourself to have a great time. And I know she will do well at owning Coyote den resturant in Lanesborough. They will be happy to have a smart Business women like her! Great Job Carol Keep up the great work you are a very smart and Caring business owner I wish you the same in the purches of your new Resturant Coyote Den!
from: Darlene	on: 06-13-2011 02:03AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

I played there once..that was enough. Mr. Randall didn't have a clue as to what the general public wanted for entertainment. Forcing his female employees to wear skimpy outfits and parade around the place. Sounds like he was trying to be a 'Hooters Wannabe'...didn't work. All I can say now is 'good riddance'. from: Old Rocker really? if you played there you most likely were overpriced and didnt draw anyone. as for skimpy outfits, we had a halloween party and a "coyote ugly night" other than that we had a black logo shirt as a uniform. sounds like somebody is bitter that you werent called back for another gig. good luck carol.
from: bubbagumpshrimp	on: 06-13-2011 06:56AM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)

I have to agree with 2 of the other comments here about the cost of this business. Ms. Donahue bought this restaurant for $40,000? The Waterworks Laundry and the attached automatic car wash in Adams is selling for 120,000 now.(not sure if original asking price) so something doesn't jive to me of why sell a restaurant with all equipment included sold for $40 grand. Sounds too good to be true.
from: deb4337109	on: 06-13-2011 08:19AM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: Not if you want to get out of a business and a buyer comes along; restaurants tend to sell low anyway. And you're comparing a sale price to an actual sale.
I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Wondering if perhaps the building is not up to code and needs sprinkler system, etc installed for big bucks and perhaps that's the reason for the low cost???
from: Berkshiregirl	on: 06-13-2011 12:25PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: Does everybody realize this is the business, not the building?
I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

the building IS in code, as i was there for all inspections. new gas lines, plumbing upgrades, in fact this is the first time in years that particular building was in code for ANYTHING. i have no clue how former businesses could operate. and yes mr. editor, was just the business, not the building.
from: bubbagumpshrimp	on: 06-13-2011 04:20PM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)

Only part to this story that is really not true is that not ALL previous staff has been contacted to come back. It may be for a reason or not, but you should not comment that all staff but two have agreed to stay when at least one of those two has yet to even talk to the new owners when he has been told they would be in contact with him...just saying!!!
from: Really??	on: 06-13-2011 04:32PM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: No one said all the employees were contacted.
I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:01PM / Monday, December 29, 2025

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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