image description — The Redevelopment Authority approved Steeple City Liquors request for a deli, wine and beer shop Monday evening.

Beer, Wine, Deli Store Approved for North Adams

By John DurkaniBerkshires Staff
11:17AM / Tuesday, April 09, 2013Print Story | Email Story

James Callahan presents the wine and deli shop sign design to the Redevelopment Authority on Monday. Steeple City Liquors Inc. will move its shop into the former Staples location.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Redevelopment Authority approved to allow Steeple City Liquors, Inc., into the former Staples lot on 80 Rear Main St. on Monday evening.

Michelle Butler, an attorney from Cain Hibbard and Myers representing proprietor Louis Matney Jr., said the store will be a "high-end deli and wine and beer package store."

"It's not a typical package store," Butler said. "We'll be offering gourmet food, fresh deli sandwiches. We will have the largest selection in North County for wine, approximately 1,700 different wines and 500 different beers, primarily craft brews."

Steeple City Liquors obtained its beer and wine license from the city's Licensing Board in November and has been approved by the state's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. The store will not initially offer liquor because the city has reached its quota for all-alcohol package store licenses.

"It's something we're interested in, but it'll require legislative approval to do so," Butler said.

The store was also approved for maximum store hours, but intends to be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 to 10 Thursday through Saturday and noon to 6 on Sunday.

In addition, the shop plans to offer mix-and-match six packs of craft beer, as well as weekly wine tastings. In the future, Steeple City Liquors hopes to offer educational food and wine courses.

There will also be a partition between the deli's seating area and the wine and beer sales. No alcohol will be consumed on the premises, except for wine samples.

In other news, the Planning Board approved for the "change of use" for Northeast Wireless Solutions Inc. Owner Keith Parzych requested to be listed as the new tenant of the Verizon store, which changed ownership in early March.

The hearing for a special permit for the construction of a convenience store and additional gas islands at the Shell Station at 1 State Road was postponed to May.

Tags: beer, new business, redevelopment authority, wine,

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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