Jae's Inn Restaurant Headed To Williamstown

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Monday, November 13, 2006

Jae's Inn in North Adams will close its' restaurant and increase focus on an on-site spa.

North Adams - Jae's Inn owner Jae Chung confirmed today that he will close the inn's restaurant by year's end and move the Asian cuisine eatery to the Le Jardin restaurant space in Williamstown.

Le Jardin will be named Jae's Inn Williamstown and is expected to open on Feb. 1, Chung said during a telephone interview.

Le Jardin To Close For Renovations

The 777 Cold Spring Road Le Jardin restaurant is expected to close on Dec. 31 so that Chung can renovate and modify the establishment's kitchen in anticipation of the move.

"I am very excited about the change and I think it will be good," Chung said.

The city-based premises will remain open as an 11-room inn for overnight guests with an increased focus on an on-site spa, Chung said. The spa will host an Aveda brand personal care product retail shop as well, he said.

The property also hosts a cottage that accommodates guests.

Business at the 1111 South State Street restaurant has been steady but the space is smaller than at the Williamstown restaurant, Chung said.

Relaxing Places

Chung owns several restaurants in the Boston area and trying to operate two Berkshire-based restaurants as well as a smaller eatery at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute was proving quite challenging, he said.

"My business is good in North Adams," he said. "Williamstown has a bigger kitchen and will be easier to work in. I think the spa is good for North Adams. People like the Berkshires and they like to visit relaxing places."

Chung said that he is considering opening additional rooms at the North Adams inn at a later date.

Patti Boynton will remain the spa's manager, Chung said. Boynton is a licensed esthetician. Spa services include facials, body wraps, Swedish, deep tissue, aromatherapy, and trigger point massage, and additional services.

Rooms at the inn are furnished with amenities including fireplaces, air conditioners, flat-screen televisions, jacuzzi-style bath tubs, and spa-provided personal care items. The cottage is similarly equipped and hosts a big-screen television.

Chung purchased the city property in 1994 as the Twin Sisters Inn. In 2002, he opened Jae's Inn and restaurant at the site. Chung purchased Le Jardin in 2004. The site includes seven guest rooms, Chung said.

Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.