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Berkshire Hills Development, the parent company of Porches, filed an application with the North Adams Planning Board to remove a current building and parking lot to build a new restaurant.

Restaurant Planned Next to Porches Hotel in North Adams

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The new eatery would take up the block from Crossey Place to Veazie Street. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Porches inn owners are planning to tear down the former Harvest Christian Ministries building on River Street to build a new restaurant that will take up the block between Crossey Place and Veazie Street.   
 
The new dining establishment has been rumored for some time as a complementary addition to the 20-year-old hotel across from Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. 
 
"The project constitutes a significant improvement over the vacant lots and existing building, while making efficient use of the site and is an overall improvement on the current conditions," according to the plans submitted for the Planning Board's May meeting. 
 
Parent company Berkshire Hills Development Co. LLC will use the lots it owns on the west side of Veazie Street and plans to purchase an adjacent lot on Veazie. Parking will be on Veazie and the lots to the west, with the restaurant near the corner of Veazie and River. 
 
The two-story brick building housed a soup kitchen that operated for more than 20 years until the Bennington, Vt., ministry sold it to Berkshire Hills in 2018 for $235,000. The two lots adjoining it on River Street are a parking lot and the fourth has a two-story apartment house on just over half an acre owned by David Carver. 
 
Preliminary plans show a long modern structure of about 3,900 square feet along River Street that is screened from the street by trees and plantings, with an outdoor patio and parking in the rear. It will include a partial basement for storage.
 
"The Restaurant will add jobs and continue to add vibrancy and promote further economic development in the neighborhood and the City as a whole," according to the application, which also states the eatery will be open five days a week from 5 to 9 and lunch during the busy season from noon to 3, with hours subject to seasonal variation. 
 
The lots are in a business 2 zone in which restaurants are permitted by rate. The applicant also will appear before the Conservation Commission (because of the proximity of the Hoosic River) and the Zoning Board of Adjustment before returning to the Planning Board with final plans.  
 
The Porches, a set of reconfigured Victorian apartment buildings, does not have a restaurant. It was given permission in 2017 to tear down two buildings on the east side of Veazie Street for studio and reception space (the grand opening of the domelike structure was upset by the pandemic) and so that guests could be served a light breakfast. 

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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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