Pittsfield ZBA Approves Sign for Buffet in Former Harry's
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new restaurant is closer to its opening day in the former Harry's Supermarket.
Last Wednesday, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a sign exemption to allow the refacing of the existing, nonconforming, two-sided roof sign at 290 Wahconah St. Owner Huajie Zhu plans to place 48-by-96-inch rectangular panels on both sides of the brick sign that extends from the building.
He explained that he just wants to reuse the sign. A "Coming Soon" banner in front advertises it as Aaron Hibachi Grill and Sushi Super Buffet.
A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 in 2024 to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building.
The building was renovated to its current design in the 1950s, and features a decorative brick wall that extends above the roof line and was previously used as a two-sided roof sign. ZBA members observed that, otherwise, the owners would need to place a freestanding sign.
The ZBA was glad to hear that the "The North End Remembers" mural on the side of the building was taken away by the city for preservation; it was redone on panels for this reason.
The eatery's name will replace it.
Dedicated in September 1987, the mural was painted by Daniel O'Connell, Daniel Galvez, Stephen Mark, and Diane Poirier, and contains images including Harry, the original owner of the market, and a man working on a General Electric transformer.
Abutter Peter Kolodziej represented neighbors with concerns about light pollution, and was reassured that the light won't be on all night and will not be flashing.
"We're waiting for you to open," he said.
In May, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property, and new windows and a new door could be seen on the building.
Tags: ZBA, signage,
