image description — Liquor World owner Chirag Patel stands in front of the newly opened deli. The store is located in the former Kmart plaza in North Adams.

Liquor World in North Adams Opens Deli

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:37PM / Monday, August 04, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Liquor World opened in the former V&V last year.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Liquor World and Market has opened up its deli section along with adding Krispy Krunchy Chicken to the store.

Chirag Patel has been the owner for a little over a year and was excited to bring in the deli and Krispy Krunchy chicken. When it first opened, he planned to focus on the alcohol portion before starting up the deli. He said he got many comments from customers asking when it would open.

"When we bought it, we wanted to go step by step. So we just, first year, focus just on our liquor side and the liquor section," he said. "Then we start working with the deli as the time goes. People asking about the deli, 'when you guys open, you guys doing something with the deli, and like that.'"

The deli had been in the plans since the prior entity, Steeple City Liquors Inc., better known as V&V, opened back in 2013. The deli counters and equipment was installed on righthand side of the store but never took off.

V&V closed abruptly in February 2024 as the plaza changed hands a couple times. First Hartford Realty, the former owner of the former Kmart plaza, had owned the liquor store since its opening in 2014. Mahakaleshwar LLC, doing business as Liquor World and Market, was approved for the license transfer last year.

Patel noted that the store has added a new walk-in beer freezer in a space formerly used for storage. He said store will continue to grow, one day hoping to add a Pizza Hut Pizza Express.

"Definitely we're going to grow more on our liquor side section. We're going to have more allocated bottles coming. We're going to have the more expensive wines and in the food section, we are thinking down the road for the Pizza Express," he said.

Patel says he hopes that customers like the deli. "We're hoping that everything goes well with them [customers], and we would love to help the community, too."

Krispy Krunchy Chicken is a national fried chicken chain that sells mainly in convenience stores and gas stations. The deli sells meats by the pound, lunch and breakfast sandwiches, burgers and quesadillas, some hot subs, sides, daily soups and fries.

The store is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (deli until 7:30) daily except on Sunday from 10 to 7 (deli until 6). More information here.

Tags: alcohol, business changes, deli,

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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