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Rising Glass Brewery will move into the former Eagles Hall after a substantial renovation. Although some work has begun, the project has been delayed because of the pandemic.

North Adams Planners Approve Planned Brewery Patio

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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The Planning Board wrapped up their meeting in 15 minutes Monday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Planning Board approved some design changes to the planned Rising Glass Brewery that will now include a patio.
 
"Since the pandemic, people have really taken to outdoor seating. So we want to double down on that," applicant Jonathan Spinney said to the Planning Board Monday.
 
Plans for the proposed brewery at the former Eagles Hall, on 515 Curran Highway, go back to 2018. At the time, applicant Spinney said a substantial remodel of the hall, which closed in 2017, would have to be done.
 
Spinney said he wanted to provide the board with some kind of update, especially with such a large "pause" in the middle of the project during the pandemic.
 
He said once they took the building apart they saw an opportunity to attach a large patio on the front of the building. He said they have essentially rotated their original design, and the overall footprint remains the same.
 
"Other than that there has been no change," he said.
 
Spinney said the patio would be covered and attached. He was aware that designs would have to include fire suppression.
 
The board had no questions, and Vice-chairman Brian Miksic said he was happy to see the project moving along.
 
"I am glad you are still trucking forward with this project through a difficult time," he said. "I can't wait to see it come to fruition."
 
The board approved the modification contingent upon seeing plans. Spinney said the plans should be completed this fall.
 
In other business, the Planning Board approved a special permit request from 413 Bistro LLC for property located at 40 Main Street, the former Richmond Grill at the Holiday Inn.
 
"We are doing another restaurant," said Paul Brassard, who runs the Williamstown eatery Berkshire Palate with his three sons.
 
"That is all of the information that I need," Miksic said. 
 
Brassard told the Licensing Board in May that they plan to shut up shop in Williamstown and move their entire operation to North Adams.
 
The Richmond Grill has been closed for at least a year now. 
 
 
 

Tags: Planning Board,   restaurant,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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