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Partners Anandkumar Singh, Kevin Orozco and Sonu Rahman say patrons will find the best food and a family atmosphere at The Station in Lee.

The Station in Lee Fuses New Flavors With Iconic Restaurant

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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The former train station has been renovated since November and has a similar atmosphere to when it was Sullivan Station for more than three decades.
LEE, Mass. — The proprietors of the popular Charlie's Bistro Bus food truck have opened a new restaurant in the old train station.
 
Appropriately called "The Station," Anandkumar Singh and Kevin Orozco, and a third partner, Sonu Rahman, opened the gastropub in late February. 
 
Singh said he wants people to feel like family at The Station while they're served good food with the best ingredients and best service.
 
"The whole goal is about holding the community together with food connections," he said. 
 
The fusion menu offers a range of global dishes along with American favorites for lunch, dinner and "last call." 
 
The partners want offer fare that they didn't see much of in the Berkshires, a concept that had fueled their food truck's menu.
 
"I feel like that's what transitioned all the way over to The Station," Orozco said. "We're making this food, this is what we want to see everywhere — we really don't see it."
 
Singh said they source most of their food locally. One of the most popular dishes is a whole branzino, or sea bass, with caper sauce, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet peas. Their pasta dishes, like truffle ravioli, are made in house.
 
Prices range for entrees, small plates and salad bowls because the partners wanted to ensure affordable options.
 
"The whole thing is to have the experience, like sitting in this kind of atmosphere, but not to worry about paying too much money, but you can still have the experience with good food," Singh said.
 
In addition to Charlie's, Singh and Orozco also operate Berkshire Cone. 
 
The Station is located in a former train station at 109 Railroad St. built in 1893. The building was made a historical site in 2010.
 
Sullivan Station operated there for more than 30 years until closing in 2017. It had also housed Lucia's Kitchen and most recently Mexican restaurant Antojitos Oaxaca, which closed more than a year ago. 
 
The building was procured last November and partners started renovations, bringing it back to look more like the old Sullivan Station.  
 
"The Sullivans, they definitely had a dream and like we are just here to keep carrying on that dream for them and improving it in our own way," said general manager Sarah Kostue.
 
The property also has the caboose which will be for entertainment and private events.
 
The Station's grand opening was last week. Regular hours are 5 to 10 Thursday through Tuesday; closed Wednesday. Lunch service is Friday through Sunday from 11 to 3. There are plans to extend late hours and lunch service in the future. 
 
More information here or by calling 413-394-4004.

Tags: new business,   restaurants,   

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Berkshire South Sees $1M Earmark for Expansion

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— The Berkshire South Regional Community Center was earmarked for more than $1 million to expand its north wing. 

On Thursday, Congressman Richard Neal sat with Executive Director Jenise Lucey, board members, and other staff at the center to see how those dollars will help expand childcare, among other areas.  He announced a $1,015,000 earmark for the project. 

"As you can see, we are really, really busy and really busting at the seams," Lucey said while showing the congressman plans. 

"So your advocacy to make this happen, so that we can really move on to the next steps and serve our community, couldn't be better timed, and we're just so grateful for your support." 

The 6,000-square-foot addition will add about 20 spaces for infant and toddler care and increase the 40,000-square-foot building by about 15 percent.  It will also allow BCRCC to expand its fitness center, upgrade its HVAC system, and relocate administrative offices. 

BCRCC sees about 200,000 visitors per year and is licensed to welcome 100 summer campers, running a nine-week program during working hours.  Childcare programming runs year-round, with the center serving about 240 youth annually. 

Open since 2002, the community center will soon celebrate its 25th anniversary.  The allocation was made through Congressionally Directed Spending from the Rural Housing Service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Neal said that childcare was one of the biggest issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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