Licensing Board Approves Tito's New Liquor License

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With a new liquor license, Tito's Mexican Bar and Grill is staged to re-open under new management.

The Licensing Board on Monday approved a license transfer from Eleventh Pin Restaurant, which operated in the former Ken's Bowl, to the eatery located at 34 Depot Street.

At the previous meeting, the board rescinded Tito's former license after it was abandoned by the previous owner.  The restaurant closed its doors about six months ago and principal Felipe Perez had been unable to be reached by either the city or the new owner Miguel Gomez, who is also the owner of La Fogata on Tyler Street.

"I'm glad that you kept coming back and that everything worked out," Board member Kathy Amuso said, adding that she is happy the restaurant will be back in the community.

Chairman Thomas Campoli pointed out that Gomez's business has a good reputation in the city.

Son Daniel Gomez will be Tito's manager.  Aside from growing up in the restaurant industry, he has helped manage a dispensary in Sheffield and worked at a number of local eateries including No. Six Depot Roastery & Cafe in West Stockbridge, The Olde Heritage Tavern in Lenox, and Mazzeo's.

They plan to be open six days a week --closed on Tuesday-- from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m and eventually plan to be open later on weekend nights.  The board approved the license for service from 11 a.m. to midnight.

• The board approved an extension of East Street pizzeria Crust's seasonal wine and malt restaurant license and a transfer of al all alcohol license from the former Enso Asian Bistro, which was located on South Street across from Guido's.  An attorney speaking on behalf of the owner reported that they are having difficulty extracting a certificate from the Department of Revenue for the transfer and believes it is because the license holder's corporation has been dissolved.  
   
• The board approved a new general on premise seasonal wine and malt license for Pizza Works, located on Tyler Street.  The eatery has been in business for 15 years without selling beer and wine and wanted to see how well it would be received.  It has expanded its footprint into an abutting storefront, providing more room for on-premise consumption.
   
• An application for a new annual wine and malt license from Hot Plate Brewing Co. was tabled because the applicants are still working on getting state approval.  The brewery, owned by Brooklyn, N.Y., transplants Mike Dell'Aquila and Sarah Real and expects to open this winter.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.