NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The former Desperados is preparing to reopen as Full Belly Tex-Mex BBQ with the same management team that took over the restaurant last fall.
B&B Restaurant Associates LLC was approved for a pouring license on Tuesday by the License Commission with Sandra Lopez as manager. Lopez and Linda Bonnivier are the partners of the LLC and hold the lease to 23 Eagle St. and Bonnivier and her husband, local chef Chris Bonnivier, are providing the capital.
Commissioners made it clear this was a new license, not a transfer, and was pending final approval by the state's Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
Commissioner Peter Breen welcomed the new business, saying the city was in the process of transforming into a tourist destination and needed operations like Fully Belly.
"One thing that is very important to this town — very, very important — is business," he said. "What business represents is jobs. It's very important. It adds taxes to the community, and it's also quality of life."
The partnership was opening a good time, Breen continued, noting that some $187 million in investments was being made in the city over the past six years, including the rehabilitation of the Tower Porter Block directly across the street from the restaurant.
"The other thing is that I want to stress, we have two things that we are critical in making sure that we do as a board. We want to make sure it's safe. The business is safe, and the citizens are safe," he said. "And we want to make sure it's professionally brought."
The partners said they were aware of Training for Intervention ProcedureS and that the staff would all be TIPs trained. Bevilacqua initially asked for hours of 4 to 9 weekdays and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends, depending on staff, but Commissioner Rosemari Dickinson recommended 11 to 11, the standard the commission approves for most restaurants.
"When you're going to open up at 4 rather than 11, that's OK. But if at some point in time you decide you want to do lunches, you don't have to come back before us. We're giving you that window to operate it," she said. "If you close at 9 every single night, that's wonderful, no problem for us. But if there's something that's happening downtown and you might want to be open until 10, you have that opportunity."
The operation is being purchased for $90,000, with $75,000 directly for the business, according to documents filed with the commission. Chris Bonnivier said the purchase has not been completed yet and he did not wish to speak at an open meeting on who the seller was because of ongoing legal issues.
Former Desperados owner David Atwell filed a suit last fall against Oleskiewicz, a city councilor, over missed payments on the business and demanded the balance of $154,000 and filed a $160,000 lien on his property.
"We don't know. It's all being handled ... There's too many other people that have hands in that jar," Bonnivier said, adding he would update the commission when it was finalized.
Bonnivier said they would not be participating in the operations but had been willing to support Lopez and Bevilacqua's endeavor because he had worked with them in the past.
"We're a believer in the community and we wanted to be ... we saw what happened to the restaurant," he said. "Joseph and Sandra had worked for us previously and asked us to invest some money and we're all for it."
He said Dickinson had been an "unbelievable help" through the application process.
"We know you had a bumpy ride into town. That's really what it comes down to. That's, that's the bottom line," responded Breen. "We want you to come here. We want you to survive."
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Neal Secures $700,000 for North Adams Flood Chutes Project
Mayor Jennifer Macksey at last August's signing of an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal has secured $700,000 in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' budget to complete a feasibility study of the Hoosic River flood chutes.
The Corps of Engineers is in the midst of a three-year, $3 million study of the aging concrete flood chutes that control the passage of the river through the city.
North Adams has ponied up $500,000 as part of its share of the study and another $1.5 million is expected to come from state and federal coffers. Neal previously secured $200,000 in the fiscal 2023 omnibus spending package to begin the feasibility study.
The additional funding secured by Neal will allow for the completion of the study, required before the project can move on to the next phase.
Neal celebrated it as a significant step in bringing the flood chutes project to fruition, which he said came after several months of communication with the Corps.
"The residents of North Adams have long advocated for much needed improvements to the city's decades-old flood chutes. This announcement is a substantial victory for the city, one that reaffirms the federal government's commitment to making this project a reality," said the congressman. "As a former mayor, I know firsthand the importance of these issues, especially when it comes to the safety and well-being of residents.
"That is why I have prioritized funding for this project, one that will not only enhance protections along the Hoosic River Basin and reduce flood risk, but also make much critical improvements to the city's infrastructure and create jobs."
But not enough for Finance Committee member Andrew Fitch, who voted against the compensation and classification plan because it did not include a city planner.
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The Corps of Engineers is in the midst of a three-year, $3 million study of the aging concrete flood chutes that control the passage of the river through the city.
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This weekend, the Berkshires and surrounding areas will have a variety of events, including concerts, comedy, farmers' markets, and more.
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The License Board on Tuesday approved two license transfers including one for V&V and a license for a restaurant in the former BrewHaHa on West Main Street.
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Board Chair Peter Mirante thanked the sponsors of the breakfast event at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, including his employer, Adams Community Bank, for allowing him to attend the nonprofit's many events and functions and encouraging his involvement. click for more