Pittsfield Licensing Board Get Barcelona Tapas Update
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Licensing Board received an update on the renovation of the former Johnny's Beach Club, which is still on schedule.
During a brief Licensing Board meeting Tuesday the board reviewed a letter from attorney Jeffrey Lynch, representing the owners of Barcelona Tapas and Bar Inc., outlining some of the progress they have made on the 87 Wahconah St. property.
"He predicts operation would start sometime in March or April assuming all the work gets done and the certificate of occupancy is awarded," Chairman Thomas Campoli said.
The owners indicated this summer that instead of opening the former Johnny's Beach Club as a tapas bar, they planned to improve the site in hopes of selling it.
Last month, the owners also indicated they would like to hold onto their license and if they are unable to sell the business they will open when renovations are complete.
This worried the Licensing Board, which was wary of the delayed project that has been ongoing since 2017. They asked for firmer dates and regular updates.
Campoli said Lynch wrote in his letter that exterior and interior work has been done and they are on schedule for completion this spring. He also included architectural plans for the board to consider.
He said Lynch will provide another update in December.
"Then we can really interrogate him about what they have in mind for that place," he said. "It has been out of operation for a long period of time."
Board member Denis Powell said he was impressed with the "ambitious" project.
"I will say it is quite an aggressive plan and I was quite impressed by it," he said. "I just hope they can get their money back it is a major renovation."
In other business, the board extended a seasonal all-alcohol package store license for Peaslee's Package & Variety and approved a change of hours for the Tamarack Room.
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