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Meng Wu 'Jason' Wang, Yaling 'Joy' Wang and their daughter Gina at the opening of Meng's Pan-Asian in 2017. They've sold the family business and plan to travel and spend time with their daughters.

Meng's Pan Asian Restaurant in North Adams Changes Hands

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Meng's Pan Asian Restaurant has changed hands but there is so far no plans to change the name or significantly alter menu. 
 
The Wangs have been a mainstay in the Berkshire Plaza on Main Street for 21 years, first as the China Buffet and then as Meng's since 2017. 
 
Owners Meng Wu "Jason" Wang and Yaling "Joy" Wang put the business up for sale recently and closed a deal with a couple from New York on Jan. 7. 
 
Jason Wang was classically trained as a chef in China. He and his wife moved to North Adams 21 years ago to raise their children and serve this community. They worked at other restaurants before opening the China Buffet about 2002, replacing another Chinese restaurant. They opened the Sushi House on the Main Street side of the building in 2011. 
 
In 2017, they closed the Sushi House and the buffet and rebranded as Meng’s Pan Asian Restaurant with a completely renovated space and expanded menu. The restaurant operated six days a week, including on major holidays such as Christmas and New Year's Day and served freshly cooked Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other Asian dishes.
 
They closed for the first time during the pandemic emergency then reopened the family-run restaurant for take-out and delivery as soon as they were able to.
 
To avoid any service interruption, the new owners are choosing to keep the name, menu (with possible minor changes) and hours of operations the same. Furthermore, any gift certificates issued are still valid under the new ownership.
 
One of the first things Joy and Jason look forward to is to take a vacation together as a family. All three of their daughters grew up working in the restaurant. With their daughters in their junior and sophomore years in college and junior year in high school, they hope to spend more time together as a family.
 
When asked about what they will miss, Joy didn't hesitate to say she will miss the regular customers. Being the one to answer the phone and greet customers, she knows most people's favorite dishes and over the last two decades, customers have become extended family. 
 
In a post on Facebook, the Wangs ask that customers "be patient with the new owners as they establish and familiarize themselves with the business' operations."
 
"We are very grateful for all the support we received in the past 20 years and we are delighted to be part of such an amazing community."

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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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