ADAMS, Mass. — The Halflinger Haus is changing hands but not its name or menu. 

 

The new owner, Kenneth Dedominici, shared his plans for the business with the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday.

 

The board approved innkeeper, victualer and all-alcoholic beverage licenses for Dedominici, who purchased the property earlier this month. The restaurant's current staff will be staying on under the new ownership.

 

"I don't have anything down in stone yet, but I have an idea of what I like to do," he said. "More of a tavern-type atmosphere. "It's such a beautiful property. The inside is beautiful, outside and the gardens, beautiful. It's just underutilized."

 

Dedominici, who has operated restaurants in the past, is also the owner of 69 Park St., the former Red Carpet Restaraunt and Aladaco Linen Services at 72 Commercial St. He purchased Halflinger — which was the Adams Rest Home before becoming an inn and later Harrington's Restaurant — for $375,000 on June 1 as 97 Commercial Street LLC.

 

The Austrian restaurant, which opened in 2012, had been up for sale since 2018. The previous owner, former Selectman Don Sommer, has kept it running in the years leading up to the purchase.

 

"I just wanted to thank Don Sommer for over 10 years owning the restaurant and running it," Vice Chair Christine Hoyt said. "And I'm happy to hear that the staff will be saying, that's all good news."

 

When asked about eventually reopening the former Red Carpet restaurant, which has been closed since 2019, Dedominici said he is working on getting the property running. He has spoken to four or five chefs about leasing the restaurant space and has thought of several possible ways to use the property.

 

"Hopefully, at some point, I'll get someone who will want to lease that," he said. "I probably don't have time to do it myself."

 

In other business, the board approved in a 2-1 vote a seasonal all-alcoholic beverages license for Poseidon Coffee on the Adams Visitors Center grounds at 3 Hoosac St.

 

Owner Todd Fiorentino has been working on getting approval for a license for several months. Selectman Joseph Nowak voted against the license, saying he was concerned about alcohol use in a public place.

 

Fiorentino said he understands the concern but noted the board issues similar licenses to Thunderfest and Ramblefest, which also take place on the Adams Visitor Center grounds. Selectman Howard Rosenberg said he thinks the license is a good fit for the business's current offerings.