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Dave Atwell owned Desperados for 19 years before trying a new venture with his package store.

Restaurateur Switches Up Career With Dave's Package Store

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Dave's Package Store was freshened with new paint and siding, the addition of craft beers and wines, and a popular drive-up window. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Dave Atwell is celebrating a successful year in his new business venture.
 
The longtime owner of Desperados decided he wanted to get out of the restaurant business and after selling his business over a year ago came upon another opportunity.   
 
"Nineteen years of being in the restaurant business and I was looking for something different," Atwell said. "I’ve always liked this location. It has always been a liquor store and I thought I could clean it up and make it successful."
 
Atwell spruced up the package store that had been located on the corner of River and Eagle street since 1959. It was for decades known as Lopardo's but also had a short life as River Street Package Store before Atwell purchased it and opened in late February 2018.
 
"New everything," he said. "New roof, I painted the outside, new carpeting, and new coolers."
 
Atwell said he made it a point to carry more craft beers and unique products.
 
"We carry a much bigger selection of craft beers and wines than the last owner," he said. "Craft beer is really growing … people ask about specific beers so I actually brought on a third vendor to get some stuff I couldn’t get before."
 
Dave's Package Store also has a drive-through window that he said has been a huge hit. 
 
"It is super popular and a lot of people just get a kick out of just the novelty of using it," he said. "People pull up and can get scratch tickets, a quick six-pack, or a pack of cigarettes without having to get out of their car."
 
Dave’s Package store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m .to 11 p.m. and Sundays 10 to 9. 
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Clarksburg Sees Race for Select Board Seat

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The town will see a three-way race for a seat on the Select Board in May. 
 
Colton Andrews, Seth Alexander and Bryana Malloy returned papers by Wednesday's deadline to run for the three-year term vacated by Jeffrey Levanos. 
 
Andrews ran unsuccessfully for School Committee and is former chairman of the North Adams Housing Authority, on which he was a union representative. He is also president of the Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council.
 
Malloy and Alexander are both newcomers to campaigning. Malloy is manager of industrial relations for the Berkshire Workforce Board and Alexander is a resident of Gates Avenue. 
 
Alexander also returned papers for several other offices, including School Committee, moderator, library trustee and the five-year seat on the Planning Board. He took out papers for War Memorial trustee and tree warden but did not return them and withdrew a run for Board of Health. 
 
He will face off in the three-year School Committee seat against incumbent Cynthia Brule, who is running for her third term, and fellow newcomer Bonnie Cunningham for library trustee. 
 
Incumbent Ronald Boucher took out papers for a one-year term as moderator but did not return them. He was appointed by affirmation in 2021 when no won ran and accepted the post again last year as a write-in.
 
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