Dave's Hot Chicken Coming to Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A chicken shop soon will open on Merrill Road. 

Representatives from Dave's Hot Chicken confirmed that the restaurant plans to open a location late next week at 685 Merrill Road. The space now has a bright, new sign for the business, located in the The Shops at Unkamet Brook.

The fast-casual chain specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken and also serves sliders, appetizers, vegetarian options, shakes, and drinks. 

According to the company's website, Dave's Hot Chicken was launched in 2017 by four friends in East Hollywood and now has hundreds of locations across the United States. This will be the first in Berkshire County; there is also a Dave's Hot Chicken in Hadley. 

The Shops at Unkamet Brook storefront formerly housed El Habanero Mexican Grill, which opened and closed within the last five years. Papa Gino's occupied the space prior to that for nearly 50 years before closing in 2021.

Dave's Hot Chicken is one of several eateries to recently open in Pittsfield. 

Three restaurants opened on North Street over the summer: Aura Coffee and Cocktails at 41 North St., The Grand, across the street at 156 North St., and Sanctum Gallery Cafe at 146 North St.

Colombian Artist Celebrates Immigrant Stories in New Pittsfield Mural

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:49AM / Saturday, October 24, 2026

Artist Laura Barrios explains the  inspiration of the mural, of immigrants building new lives in the Berkshires.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The walls along the Intermodal Center's train platform are a little more colorful following the unveiling of Let It Shine's third mural at that location, transforming a space once surrounded by bare concrete into a vibrant display of public art.

 

The unveiling on Thursday, marks the close of Let It Shine's 2026 outdoor public art season and the third year of its emerging artist program, said Mill Town Foundation Program Director Andy Wrba. 

 

Let It Shine's Emerging Artists Mentorship program was established in 2024 to support aspiring artists in the community by providing guidance, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to create large-scale public art.

 

"This mural, along with all the murals, as part of this emerging artist program, and even more broadly, all the murals that you see downtown throughout Pittsfield shows that we care about the cultural scene and we care about the creative people that live and work in our city," Wrba said.

 

The new mural, painted by Colombian artist Laura Barrios, celebrates immigrants who have built lives and found a sense of home in Berkshire County.

 

Barrios has been working on the piece for the last two months alongside mentor artist, Jesse Tobin McCauley. 

 

"It's a homage to the immigrants who work and make a home in the Berkshires … this is a very personal experience too because I am an immigrant," Barrios said in her speech.