Seafood Restaurant Planned for North Street, Pending Liquor License
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — You may notice a different look to the former Iztac Mexican Restaurant — the brightly colored front entrance has given way to a more subdued, moody facade.
Owner Gabriel Columna does not envision reopening the North Street eatery, which ceased operations earlier this year, and is trying to sell its seven-day, all-alcohol license.
Local Gordy Hebler has rented the space at 156 North St. for a seasonal restaurant called The Grand. A sign in the window advertises it as an oyster bar and piano lounge with seafood options.
The Licensing Board heard some updates on Monday.
Hebler explained that he rebuilt the restaurant's interior and is requesting a seasonal beer, wine, and liquor license for part of the year. However, that application cannot be accepted while the previous tenant holds a license at the same address.
Columna is under a timeline to transfer the license before it is revoked for inactivity and will return to the board for an update in September.
In March, a Health Department notice was taped to Iztac's door stating it was closed to the public to protect public health and safety. The reason listed for closure was "controlling pests," and an inspection report noted "live cockroach activity" in the main kitchen and indicated that corrective action was required.
Columna purchased the business in 2022, and the name was changed from Pancho's Mexican Restaurant.
The liquor license on this property is valid until the end of the year but is currently inactive. If the license isn't used or transferred within a reasonable time, six months from notification according to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, the Licensing Board can revoke it.
If the license is cancelled, it goes out of circulation.
Attorney Loretta Mach explained that after being locked out of the North Street storefront, Columna spent some time trying to get back in and has retained counsel relative to the eviction by building owner Threshold 21E LLC. He has also accepted that the liquor license will need to be sold, as he will not resume operations.
"He has one offer for purchase of the license, which he has declined as being below market value, and there is another interested buyer at an acceptable price who is looking for a location within the city. In the event he finds a location, he intends to pursue obtaining the license from Mr. Columna," Mach reported.
"So we just need a little bit more time to solicit offers and get the best price for the license. Which, given the losses he sustained with the business, is very important to him."
Chair Thomas Campoli explained that their directive from the ABCC is to keep track of inactive licenses and encourage transfers. The six-month window only starts ticking when the board sends an official notice, and it has not yet been sent.
"We don't want to lose a license, but we want to make sure somebody's in there operating," he said.
Hebler pointed out that the license revocation can be appealed, pushing off his timeline for opening. He wants a seasonal license.
"I was told that purchasing his license, it wasn't available to me. I couldn't buy it. Nor did I want to spend $25,000 on his license if I could get a permit, a seasonal license from the City of Pittsfield," he said.
Campoli said he has a good idea but has to go through the legal steps. Hebler said he would do his homework because if the business takes a year to open, it would be simpler to sell what he built and move on.
"And we're going to be watching this and see what Mr. Columna does, and if he is able to transfer it soon, as far as the City of Pittsfield is concerned, that's great," Campoli said.
"If you have a great idea for the city and you want to pursue this, the fastest way to get it done, obviously, if you want to be that location, is to buy his license."
Tags: license board, alcohol license, restaurant,
