The former Canterbury’s on Spring Street is set to reopen as the Red Herring, now that the Williamstown Board of Selectmen has approved a transfer of its liquor license.
The board, by a 3-1 vote, approved the transfer of the all-alcoholic beverage license from Canterbury’s Fine Food and Spirits held by William Caprari Jr. to Caprari’s daughter Colleen Fisher and Edward F. Smith, shareholders in the new Walden Culinary LLC.
Selectman Margaret Johnson Ware cast the sole opposing vote, saying she had concerns about transferring the license from one owner who has had troubles at a bar to another.
“I have to be very blunt about this,†said Ware. “I’m not seeing a new broom sweeping clean, and I have problems with it.â€
Ware warned that the board has learned that its only control over behavior at watering places lies with its veto at the time of transfer. Later, she said, the board faces “hoop jumping and litigation.â€
But Fisher told the board there were no problems associated with the establishment while she was manager the first year her father owned it, in 1996-97.
And Smith said, “It’s not going to be the same establishment with just a name change. It’ll be a whole different operation.â€
Canterbury’s, while Caprari owned it, was raided by Williamstown police and state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission agents in January, 2001, a raid resulting in gaming and cigarette tax charges against Caprari, who was fined and given probation on the charges.
Canterbury’s drew the selectmen’s attention in November when Canterbury’s patrons and Williams College students leaving the college-owned Log clashed in a Spring Street brawl that seriously injured a Williams student and involved 30 to 40 people.
Smith was an owner — and operator — of the former Wild Amber Grill on North Street where police, in an after-hours raid in September, 2000, discovered a nude female under drinking age and alcoholic drinks on the bar. Two of the license holders were also at the bar. That raid prompted selectmen to suspend the establishment’s liquor license for three days.
Smith told the board the downstairs level will feature food, while the upstairs will contain a pool table, couches and a bar.
Smith said renovations will reduce the size of the upstairs by installing an interior staircase. Access to upstairs from outside will be closed, except for private parties, he said.
Smith also told the board he plans to have live jazz or blues music, and will coordinate with Images Cinema so music does not disturb the showing of films. The selectmen made that coordination a restriction in the transfer.
Selectmen also inquired as to the name choice, to which Smith responded that it referred to the fish. But ‘red herring,’ according to the dictionary, can also mean “something that distracts attention from the real issue.â€
Selectmen Chairman John Merselis said he would vote for the transfer “in spite of my agreeing with Margie that I’m a little concerned.â€
The board also voted to approve licenses for live music, food (common victualer) and a pool table.
As Smith and Fisher left, Merselis wished them “good luck,†and advised, “the community will be watching.â€
Also Monday, the board unanimously approved an all-alcoholic beverage license for Spice Root, an Indian restaurant, whose establishment at 23 Spring St. will create an ethnic restaurant row.
Spice Root will be first in line toward the top of Spring Street, next to Arugula, followed by Thai Garden. The restaurant is under the same ownership and management as the Bombay Bar and Grill in Lee.
President is Tarun Narula of Shelton, Conn.; treasurer is Shiva K. Natarajan of Weston, Conn. An additional shareholder is Davy Cheeran of Pittsfield.
Manager P. Girdhar Gopal agreed with the selectmen’s request to restrict the live music to the acoustic, rather than the amplified, variety.
Renovations are expected to begin June 1.
Ware told Spice Root’s owners, “I think the people at the Thai restaurant will tell you there’s a huge market for ethnic food in Williamstown.â€
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
The home prior to renovations.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.
The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.
The house is listed for $359,500.
We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieriand Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.
Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.
What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?
Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.
Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.
Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.
Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.
Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?
Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.
Andrews: Built in about 1965.
What do the current owners love about this home?
Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.
Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
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