Licensing Board Approves Keno, Later Hours for Pittsfield Eateries

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An old name will soon open in the former Tahiti Takeout on Wahconah Street.

On Monday, the Licensing Board approved a Keno license for Hudpuckers and the owner reported that they plan to open in about a month. The name is a nod to Bobby Hudpuckers, a popular eatery that closed more than 10 years ago.

"Formerly, Tahiti Takeout was one of the most popular Keno spots in Berkshire County so we’ve got to have Keno, we’ve got to bring it back," manager Justin Martin said.

"So that's that's a goal to try and kind of revitalize the Keno there and hopefully we can make it bigger, if not what it was before."

Martin has previously explained that the owner of Bobby Hudpuckers was a relative and the name is in honor of him.  

He reported that they began working on the venue last week and things are "moving quickly."  The new owners hope to open in the next month or so.

The eatery is planned to be a quick-serve restaurant with food like hamburgers and sandwiches with a bar. Hours of operation are planned for 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Earlier this year, the former Tahiti Takeout's license was transferred to Hudpuckers Inc.

Police Lt. Marc Maddalena asked when food service will stop and if the purpose of the extension is for musical entertainment. The owners reported that they will be seeking an entertainment license in the future and were asked to discuss the extended food service with the board when they do.

"I’m just trying to plan for the future really," Gomez said. "Because I could see that this business has a lot of potential and see what kind of avenues we can go down with the restaurant industry with this business."

The owners of La Fogata on Tyler Street revived the shuttered Tito's Mexican Bar and Grill last year after it abruptly closed and the liquor license was abandoned. The new owners secured a liquor license from Eleventh Pin Restaurant, which operated in the former Ken's Bowl, after Tito's original license was rescinded.

A Keno license was also approved for Pizza Works on Tyler Street, which received a seasonal wine and malt license last year. 

The eatery has been in business for 15 years and expanded its footprint into an abutting storefront, providing more room for on-premise consumption. The owner explained that he needs to bring more business into the establishment.

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.