North Adams Package Store Changing Hands Again

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —The License Commission on Tuesday approved the transfer of a beer/wine package store license for Dave's Package Store. 
 
The license will be held by North Adams Package LLC, which will continue doing business as Dave's. 
 
 Avatar Grang of North Adams, the new manager, told the commissioners that the hours and drive-up window will remain the same and that he and one other would be working in the store. 
 
 Grang said he did not have experience with running an alcohol store "over here" but was cognizant of the state's liquor laws. He said he was looking to expand his interests. 
 
"I have a business in location in New York, OK, and I'm friends with Abbas for a long time," he said, referring to Abbas Choudhry, who purchased the business and property more than a year ago as Shahmir Properties LLC.
 
Choudhry, who attended the meeting, said he would stay on until Grang was approved for the license at the state level. 
 
Commissioner Rosemari Dickinson pointed out several errors and typos on the application that she recommended be corrected, including adding in the continued use of the drive-through, before being submitted to the state. She said state inspectors would return the papers or call about anything out of place. 
 
The commissioners told Grang there had been no complaints about the operation of the package store and that if he continued it in the same way, he should have no issues. Grang said he would be careful about carding and has a security system. 
 
The commission also approved a one-day beer and wine license for Tammy Smith for a wedding reception on Sept. 7 at Norad Mill.

Tags: license board,   alcohol license,   package stores,   

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Vermont National Guard Members Depart From North Adams

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

About 50 people waved flags to the see the Guardsmen off on their bus. The members were staying in North Adams because of a lack of hotel rooms in Bennington, Vt.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Residents came together Friday to see some Vermont National Guard members off.
 
The American Legion Riders organized a send off for a group of 75 or so Guard members who were staying at Hotel Downstreet.
 
"We are going to escort them to the Bennington Armory," Riders President Mike Lewis said. "They are going to gear up there, and then I am not sure where they are going. I don’t even know if they are all going to the same place."
 
Fifty or so people met in the Hotel Downstreet parking lot to show their appreciation. They waved flags and held signs. A bagpiper was also present.
 
The Riders contacted the Fire Department who helped organize the send off. North Adams Police cruisers and Northern Berkshire EMS were also on site to help see the bus off.
 
Lewis said there was not enough rooms in Bennington for the National Guard members. He added because of the trend to use vacant hotel rooms as low-income housing, the group had to look toward North Adams.
 
It's not clear where these Guard were off to, but about 500 members of 3-172 Infantry Battalion were expected to go to the Middle East with U.S. Central Command. According to Vermont Digger, this deployment was scheduled prior to the strikes on Iran. 
 
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