Five Things to Love About the Northern Berkshires

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Firehouse Cafe co-owner Dee Superneau has greeted diners wearing firefighter turn-out gear.

Introduced last week, this regular feature spotlights a mix of entities and people that help create our unique Northern Berkshires atmosphere. From hometown events to upscale eateries, our region has it all…..and we’re willing to share.

What We Love About the Firehouse Café

Firehouse Café owners Dee Superneau and Burton Kirk have created a truly unique eatery in downtown Adams. The café, located at the former town fire station on Park Street, has been completely renovated into a two-story delight of ambiance and originality. Superneau and Kirk maintained much of the building’s integrity – they restored the original interior brick walls and kept a second-floor tin ceiling- and also built on a firehouse theme. Bright red dining tables are accentuated with glossy black-painted chairs and the décor is a mix of firemen helmets, antique hose nozzles, boots, firefighter turn-out gear and dress regalia.

Two life-sized firemen statues hold court on the first floor, while a replica of Marilyn Monroe standing over a street grate graces the upper level. And yes, a fan creates the blown-up skirt effect. An old-fashioned fire department fire call chalkboard-used to document fire department responses- adorns one wall. The cozy bar is over 100 years old, and outdoor seating under bright red patio umbrellas adds to dining options. The café is open for lunch and dinner, and offers a full menu of appetizers, salads, and entrees. Char-grilled and pannini-grilled items are also available and the café offers a children’s menu. Entertainment is offered Thurs.-Sat. evenings. We love the Firehouse Café for its’ casual appeal and we love Superneau and Kirk for preserving a bit of history in their new restaurant. And I personally love the tribute to firefighters.

What We Love About Movies Under the Stars

Families gathering during summertime Friday nights to watch free outdoor movies shown on the Adams Town Hall lawn – what’s not to love? This year’s event kicks off on July 8 with “The Incredibles” followed by “National Treasure” on July 15, “The Pacifier” on July 22, “Racing Stripes” on July 29, “Ice Princess” on Aug. 5, “Shark Tale” on Aug. 12, “Fat Albert” on Aug. 19, and “Because of Winn Dixie” on Aug. 26. We love “Movies Under the Stars” for its’ family-friendly focus and we love event founder George Haddad for bringing his idea to reality.

What We Love About Bill Gideon

Chef and dual restaurant owner Bill Gideon

Chef and restaurateur Bill Gideon brought his superb talents to North Adams in 2004 and hasn’t looked back. In fact, after opening “Gideon’s” restaurant at 34 Holden St., he and his business partners bought the former Joga eatery at 23 Eagle Street earlier this year and opened “Gideon’s Luncheon and Nightery” restaurant. His endeavors have brought jobs to dozens of area residents and have added a new dimension to the dining-and-nightlife arena. Gideon’s resume is impressive-he has prepared meals for actors Geena Davis and Sylvester Stallone, U.S. Presidents George H. Bush, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan and William J. Clinton, and also passed muster with the late famed chef Julia Child – and he would likely have been welcomed in any community. We love Bill Gideon for investing in our region, and for his positive attitude about the area.

“I believe in [North Adams],” Gideon said recently. “I believe it is a growing community that is reinventing itself and will continue to grow. There is a great sense of pride in this area and you can’t fail when you invest in pride.”

Right back atcha, Bill.

What We Love About Eagle Street

A view of Eagle Street

History, architecture, and an eclectic mix of business makes Eagle Street a place we love. Many building owners have spruced up their properties and enhanced the storefronts, and those efforts mean more attention to the beautiful lines of the buildings. The street is a marketplace unto itself; with just a few steps, one can enjoy a hot dog at the famed Jack’s Hot Dogs, buy a clever gift at Persnickety, or peruse the vintage items at Skidoo. Independent businesses such as Crafty Creations and Mia’s Consignment Shop add flavor to the street as well. We love Eagle Street for its’ charm and shopping options.

What We Love About Pedrin’s

Pedrin's offers outdoor, casual dining.

The yearly springtime opening of this North Adams-based outdoor eating venue is, for many Northern Berkshire residents, the first sure sign of spring. Since the 1950s, Pedrin’s has offered casual family fare served at “the window” on trays, which are usually carried to picnic tables. The food is often devoured with gusto. The onion rings are legendary, and almost everyone has a favorite Pedrin’s meal, be it a clam boat, sausage grinder, or a fried chicken dinner. Chasing windblown napkins and paper plates or tossing French fries to the many hovering birds is half the fun of eating at Pedrin’s, and we love the Curran Highway fish-fry-style eatery simply because it exists!

Susan Bush can be reached at 802-823-9367 or by e-mail at suebush123@adelphia.net.