Licensing Board Approves Keno, Later Hours for Pittsfield Eateries

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An old name will soon open in the former Tahiti Takeout on Wahconah Street.

On Monday, the Licensing Board approved a Keno license for Hudpuckers and the owner reported that they plan to open in about a month. The name is a nod to Bobby Hudpuckers, a popular eatery that closed more than 10 years ago.

"Formerly, Tahiti Takeout was one of the most popular Keno spots in Berkshire County so we’ve got to have Keno, we’ve got to bring it back," manager Justin Martin said.

"So that's that's a goal to try and kind of revitalize the Keno there and hopefully we can make it bigger, if not what it was before."

Martin has previously explained that the owner of Bobby Hudpuckers was a relative and the name is in honor of him.  

He reported that they began working on the venue last week and things are "moving quickly."  The new owners hope to open in the next month or so.

The eatery is planned to be a quick-serve restaurant with food like hamburgers and sandwiches with a bar. Hours of operation are planned for 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Earlier this year, the former Tahiti Takeout's license was transferred to Hudpuckers Inc.

Police Lt. Marc Maddalena asked when food service will stop and if the purpose of the extension is for musical entertainment. The owners reported that they will be seeking an entertainment license in the future and were asked to discuss the extended food service with the board when they do.

"I’m just trying to plan for the future really," Gomez said. "Because I could see that this business has a lot of potential and see what kind of avenues we can go down with the restaurant industry with this business."

The owners of La Fogata on Tyler Street revived the shuttered Tito's Mexican Bar and Grill last year after it abruptly closed and the liquor license was abandoned. The new owners secured a liquor license from Eleventh Pin Restaurant, which operated in the former Ken's Bowl, after Tito's original license was rescinded.

A Keno license was also approved for Pizza Works on Tyler Street, which received a seasonal wine and malt license last year. 

The eatery has been in business for 15 years and expanded its footprint into an abutting storefront, providing more room for on-premise consumption. The owner explained that he needs to bring more business into the establishment.

Dalton Public Safety Advisory Committee Ranks Potential Properties

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:26AM / Saturday, January 04, 2025

Use of town-owned lots near the Senior Center would require a town meeting vote as housing had been designated a priority for the former school property. 

DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Advisory Committee has ranked four properties to consider during its feasibility study on locations for a new police station. Two have existing structures, including a residential property, and the others are vacant lots.

 

The committee ranked the locations based on a quantitative scoring and weighting process, considering the properties' location, projected cost, size, and whether it is purchase or lease and whether it's vacant or has an existing structure. 

 

Jacunski Humes Architects LLC of Berlin, Conn., selected to conduct the study, will assess what is needed for an efficient and accredited public safety facility at each site. This will include cost estimates and consideration of scenarios such as building a new facility on a green site, remodeling an existing building, and demolishing and rebuilding potential sites. 

 

The property that obtained the highest rank was First Congregational Church's addition, which has offices in the basement with a walkout and some offices on the second floor on the south end. 

 

According to committee co-Chair Craig Wilbur, purchasing or leasing the property is up for negotiation. The congregation has the 2,600 square foot space listed on for lease on its website. 

 

There is also the possibility of constructing a building farther to the east of the existing church using some of the green space and parking lot. 

 

The committee is unsure if the parking lot is available for consideration but opted to keep it on the list so the architect could evaluate all the potential options for the property.