Letter: Make It Riehl on November 10

Letter to the Editor02:00PM / Wednesday, November 04, 2026Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

Open Letter to the North Adams City Council:

As a North Adams resident, I am writing in full support of Virginia Riehl for the replacement City Council seat on Nov. 10. While I understand the stipulation that things may change between an election and the need to replace a sitting member, there has not been a disqualifying event that should allow the City Council to override the will of the citizens of North Adams.

Riehl had the most votes and was 10th in line to be seated in the most recent election. If Alexa MacDonald had decided not to run, anticipating her move, Riehl would be a current council member. If a new candidate is interested in applying for the job, they should run in the next election so North Adams residents can play a role in the decision. I voted for Riehl in the last election, and the fact that she has not faltered in showing up for North Adams between the election results and the present opening is a testament to her dedication to our city.

Respectfully,

Stacey Dreher
North Adams, Mass.

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North Adams Restaurant to Closing in Two Weeks

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
02:18PM / Wednesday, November 04, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A downtown restaurant announced on Wednesday that it will be closing.

In a Facebook post, Door Prize stated its last day of service is Saturday, Nov. 14.

"We are not making this decision lightly and wish there was another way forward," read the post by owners Bryan "Swifty" Josephs and Jenny Klowden.

"We feel great pride for our successes and for a wonderful year of serving our community. Now on to the next adventure!"

They also thanked their staff and patrons who enjoyed their food

The restaurant opened over a year ago in Hotel Downstreet after Josephs and Klowden previously had a residence at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, where they sold some of their signature dishes, as well as working in area restaurants, bringing their food to farmers markets and operating a catering business.

The two named the restaurant after a John Prine song that they danced to at their wedding. Josephs described their fare as European comfort food, with one of their most popular dishes being pierogies.

They also successfully renovated the covered porch outside the restaurant for dining, raising $7,000 through a Kickstarter

While their post did not allude as to why they are closing, iBerkshires has reached out for more answers.

The 90-room hotel has reportedly been sold, with a closing expected by the end of the month. Owner Peregrine Group put the former Holiday Inn up for sale earlier this year after purchasing the property for $4.45 million in 2021. According to reports in The Berkshire Eagle, the cost of renovations to the 55-year-old property put a dent into revenues that limited the hotel's ability to cover obligations.

It's not clear if this has anything to do with the restaurant, which operates as a separate entity.

"We are not looking for a public discourse on our business model or the closure," the Door Prize post states, inviting patrons to personally contact the Josephs or Klowden rather than comment on the posting.

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