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Meng Wu 'Jason' Wang, Yaling 'Joy' Wang and their daughter Gina at the opening of Meng's Pan-Asian in 2017. They've sold the family business and plan to travel and spend time with their daughters.

Meng's Pan Asian Restaurant in North Adams Changes Hands

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Meng's Pan Asian Restaurant has changed hands but there is so far no plans to change the name or significantly alter menu. 
 
The Wangs have been a mainstay in the Berkshire Plaza on Main Street for 21 years, first as the China Buffet and then as Meng's since 2017. 
 
Owners Meng Wu "Jason" Wang and Yaling "Joy" Wang put the business up for sale recently and closed a deal with a couple from New York on Jan. 7. 
 
Jason Wang was classically trained as a chef in China. He and his wife moved to North Adams 21 years ago to raise their children and serve this community. They worked at other restaurants before opening the China Buffet about 2002, replacing another Chinese restaurant. They opened the Sushi House on the Main Street side of the building in 2011. 
 
In 2017, they closed the Sushi House and the buffet and rebranded as Meng’s Pan Asian Restaurant with a completely renovated space and expanded menu. The restaurant operated six days a week, including on major holidays such as Christmas and New Year's Day and served freshly cooked Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other Asian dishes.
 
They closed for the first time during the pandemic emergency then reopened the family-run restaurant for take-out and delivery as soon as they were able to.
 
To avoid any service interruption, the new owners are choosing to keep the name, menu (with possible minor changes) and hours of operations the same. Furthermore, any gift certificates issued are still valid under the new ownership.
 
One of the first things Joy and Jason look forward to is to take a vacation together as a family. All three of their daughters grew up working in the restaurant. With their daughters in their junior and sophomore years in college and junior year in high school, they hope to spend more time together as a family.
 
When asked about what they will miss, Joy didn't hesitate to say she will miss the regular customers. Being the one to answer the phone and greet customers, she knows most people's favorite dishes and over the last two decades, customers have become extended family. 
 
In a post on Facebook, the Wangs ask that customers "be patient with the new owners as they establish and familiarize themselves with the business' operations."
 
"We are very grateful for all the support we received in the past 20 years and we are delighted to be part of such an amazing community."

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North Adams Council Sets School Debt Exclusion Vote

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Council President Bryan Sapienza holds up an application to work as a poll worker for the upcoming elections. The form can be found under 'Becoming an election worker' under city clerk on the city website or in the city clerk's office. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council gave final approval on Tuesday for the mayor to borrow $65,362,859 for a new Greylock School to serve Grades prekindergarten through 2.
 
This second reading of the order, approved last month, was adopted unanimously.
 
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center. Passage of the debt exclusion vote will allow the city to raise funds beyond its levy limit for the life of the loan. 
 
City Clerk Tina Marie Leonesio said the city has about 1,400 requests for mail-in ballots for all elections and that in-person early voting will start the Saturday before. 
 
The first forum is Thursday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. at Greylock; officials will provide an overview of the project and tours of the school. Zoom participation is available here. Northern Berkshire Community Television will also record the forums for later broadcast.
 
The second forum is Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. at Brayton Elementary School. The Zoom link is the same and those attending in person can also take a tour of the building.
 
The Massachusetts School Building Authority will pick up about $41,557,218 of the cost, the city about $20 million and the $3 million balance is expected to come from federal energy grants. The 30-year tiered loan for $20 million is expected to have its highest impact in 2029 when it will add $270 to the average tax bill, or about $22.50 a month.
 
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