Joanne Passing on Ownership of Elm Street Luncheonette

Evelyn Szelest and Joanne Longton on their last day at the Elm Street Luncheon. Longton joked that Szelest 'came with the place.'

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Joanne Longton's been behind the counter at her Elm Street diner for nearly a half century. But not after Monday. 

She's handing over her spatula and heading to retirement after 48 years. 

Joanne's Elm Street Luncheonette will be under new ownership but she expects it will stay much the same as the hometown eatery that has fed many Pittsfield residents from childhood to adulthood. 

Longton announced the news of her retirement over Facebook on Friday. 

"After 48 years in business, it's time for me to lay down my spatulas and enjoy life. It's been an amazing journey, I've made great friends during my time here and will never forget you all," the post read. 

"So many amazing memories. Please stop in to say hi and share a story." 

And apparently, a lot of people have been in to say goodbye to Longton and waitress Evelyn, her longtime "best employee ever," who's also retiring. 

Their last day of work will be on Monday before an employee, whom she declined to identify, takes over the operation. She said the only change is that diner will now be open on Sundays. 

Longton said she wasn't open on Sundays because it is traditionally a day of rest and family. 

She bought the Elm Street Luncheonette in 1974, adding her name later, and filling it with hundreds of photos of her customers over the decades. 

When asked what she will miss the most, she pointed to the nearly 50 years of returning and new customers. 

"It's very hard. It's not easy for me to do it but I need to do it.  It's time," Longton said. "It's been an amazing experience." 

Joanne's Elm Street Luncheonette, located at 123 Elm St., is currently open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. 

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.