Joanne's had been part of the community for nearly a half century, developing a strong patronage and a connection with the community.
For Strizzi, the former diner became part of her journey helping her ignite her passion in the food industry.
She started working for Joanne at the age of 14, when she would walk to the establishment after school and spend her Saturdays washing dishes. She went on to work at a variety of restaurants including Cim's Tavern, Luau Hale, and The Soda Chief and jumped around positions, including waitressing and bartending, learning the industry.
"I've worked in the restaurant business for 40 years and I've always loved it … it's just fun. You know, it's family. My nanny always told me it's family, friends, good food and good times," Strizzi said.
The Pittsfield native wants to give back to the community that made her who she is today.
"This is where the dream started for her. She never really lost it. Just never thought she was able to come. Very rarely does somebody end up owning the place where they started," broker Steve Ray said.
"She was fortunate enough to go out and work for some of the best in the industry at what they do and take a page from each one. There's no doubt she'll do well."
Strizzi often told Amuso of her desire to own a restaurant of her own but never thought in "a million years" that dream would turn into reality.
The hometown eatery vibe that the community has come to love still runs deep in the foundation of the new Shelley's Kitchen. Although they have only been open three weeks, they already have regulars, Strizzisaid.
The restaurant is family run with some of the staff being Strizzi and Amuso's parents, kids, or grandchildren.
"We've got four generations on the weekends working here. That's pretty amazing," Amuso said.
Other staff and patrons have also become part of the Shelly's Kitchen family. Some of the patrons who choose to make the diner a regular part of their day have had their meals named after them.
Although Joanne Longton retired in January, she still comes into the diner and helps out whenever they need her, Strizzi said.
Strizzi is continuing with the same community that Longton cultivated, Ray said.
"It's more of a little community place here and that's what Joanne obviously had. She knew that Shelley would keep that going and that's why I think she was so happy to see that it was Shelley," he said.
The diner serves up eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, homemade pie, and other classic meals Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6 to 2 and Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 12:30.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Belchertown Stops Pittsfield Post 68
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Belchertown Post 239’s Cooper Beckwith set the tone when he crushed the game’s first pitch to left-center field for a double.
The visitors went on to pound out 14 more hits in a 9-1 win over Pittsfield Post 68 in American Legion Baseball action at Buddy Pellerin Field on Monday night.
Beckwith went 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice, and Chase Earle went five innings on the mound without allowing an earned run as Post 239 improved to 15-0 this summer and completed a regular-season sweep of Post 68 (12-4).
“He’s a good pitcher,” Post 68 coach Rick Amuso said. “Good velo[city], kept the ball down. We didn’t respond.”
Pittsfield did manage to scratch out a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, when it already trailed, 7-0.
Nick Brindle reached on an error to start the inning. He moved up on a single by Jack Reed (2-for-2) and scored on a single to left by Cam Zerbato.
That was half the hits allowed by Earle, who struck out three before giving the ball to Alex West, who gave up a leadoff walk in the sixth and retired the next six batters he faced.
Water runoff reaching the drainage outlet behind the property is flooding it, unable to reach an intermittent stream meant to carry that runoff. click for more
The $25,000 raised will directly assist the Berkshire Humane Society in funding its various programs aimed at improving the lives of animals in need throughout the Berkshire County area. click for more
The short film follows Tom Levardi, who has been a supporter of the hiking community over the last 45 years by allowing Appalachian Trail hikers to camp in his back yard.
click for more
On Thursday, the commission issued 36 conditions for the city project that include a new boardwalk, access stairs, paring improvements, seasonal docks, and a new swimming beach on the park’s two properties at 1447 North St. and 40 Hancock Rd. click for more
Mike Ressler was unhittable on the mound, and the Pittsfield Little League All-Stars completed a convincing run through the Don Gleason District 1 Tournament with a 19-0 win over Dalton-Hinsdale on Thursday. click for more