Pittsfield Chili's Looking for New Tenants

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Chili's Grill and Bar has closed up shop and is looking for a new business to carry out its lease.

Director of Northeast Operations Allen Anderson notified the Licensing Board of the intent on Monday, a month after a seemingly abrupt closure of the Berkshire Crossing location.

"It's a relatively new building. It's a great opportunity for anybody that is interested," he said during the meeting broadcasted by Pittsfield Community Television.

"I think it's a good, solid plan."

In mid-August, there were moving trucks outside the location instead of preparations for the lunch rush. It was first reported by PCTV on its Facebook page and a call to the restaurant was answered by an employee who said the eatery had no plans to reopen.

Anderson said Chili's is currently looking for a buyer and will renew the liquor license when it is due at the end of the year. The current lease agreement goes out to 2029 and the company, Pepper Dining Inc., is looking for another business to carry it out.

"We want to find a buyer as soon as possible," he explained. "I don't know if they have anything in the works."

The restaurant opened for business in 2018. There are currently 15 other Chili's in Massachusetts, according to a company map of the locations.

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.