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.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.