DALTON, Mass. — Bikers, hikers and fishermen now have a new place to refresh along the Ashwillticook Rail Trail. 

 

A former concession stand on Farnams Causeway has been renovated and reopened as the Snack Shack serving food, drinks and Italian ice. 

 

Owner Brian Keyes opened on Memorial Day, originally only stocking Italian ice. In the last few weeks, he has expanded its menu to include hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage patties, coffee and tea, candies, and chips.

 

In addition, fishermen don't have to go too far to restock bait since the shack sells nightcrawlers. 

 

The native New Yorker often spent time at his family's vacation home in the Berkshires as a child and moved here in December 2023.

 

"[Berkshire County] is home away from home for me, and my plan in life was always to retire here and do something and I didn't know what something was," he said. 

 

After spending a year here, realized that the run-down shack was an opportunity.

 

"I would see it sitting here, and I really did see the need and want from the people that do hike and bike on the path on a regular basis … I just knew there was nothing available for them," Keyes said. 

 

The area around the Snack Shack is beautiful. It is set between two lakes and brings a lot of visitors looking to fish, bike, and walk, Keyes said. 

 

"I have a stage, I'm going to start doing some music. I'm going to set up for some movie nights in the near future as well, which will be free to the public," he said. 

 

Keyes highlighted that he has a lot of ideas for the space and emphasized that he is still learning what people want.

 

"I try to speak to everybody to get a full understanding of their needs and wants as well, so I can be accommodating to the customers as well. Not just what I want, I want to give the people what they want," he said.

 

"My goal is to put a smile on people's faces. That's really my goal. I want to make people happy. I'm a very friendly person. I like to meet new people and I like to see people leave with a smile on their face. That's really what it comes down to."

 

For example, he plans to put a roof on the patio next to the stand to create a shaded area and water for dog walkers. He will also add umbrellas to the picnic tables. 

 

Keyes has also received permission from the town's Conservation Commission to clean up and open the lake's borders. 

 

"The goal is maybe next year, get a dock and do some kayak and rowboat rentals as well," he said. 

 

One of the things that attracted Keyes to the Berkshires is the community. The area is kind, generous, and willing to help others, even if they don't know them, he said. 

 

He has already experienced this nature firsthand from customers who are eager to help in his endeavors, whether it is for tree trimming or getting bands for the entertainment portion of the business.  

 

"As a matter of fact, one of the gentlemen that I only just met last night is willing to work with me on getting the bands up and going, and he's already got things in motion," Keyes said. 

 

"We met yesterday, and today, he's already texting me, trying to work out what we can do to get going here. He understands that I'm on a low budget, so he's trying to work the proper people into that budget as well."

 

The closing date for the summer season will be based on the number of visitors and customers. 

 

During the winter, he plans to work in conjunction with the town, the Lions Club, and other organizations so that he can open the Snack Shack when they have fishing derbies. 

 

Keyes' initial plan was to sell Italian ice only because it is not commonly sold in the Berkshires. He offers more than 22 flavors, including two sugar-free options. 

 

"The original goal was just to bring gourmet Italian ice and that was very slow going in the beginning. I only incorporated food and coffee and stuff within the last two weeks, and since I've done that, that has made a difference," he said. 

 

A lot of establishments here often sell gourmet ice cream because of all the dairy farms in the area, he said. 

 

"I grew up on Italian ice in New York. So, it was very common, and as a kid, my uncle had ice cream trucks," Keyes said.

 

One uncle opened one of the first Carvel Ice Cream trucks in Staten Island in the 1960s, and another uncle had the trucks, which he worked on from age 13 until he was 20. 

 

He worked on several types of ice cream trucks, including soft-serve, Good Humor, and Italian ice trucks.

 

"So, I already sold ice cream. Ice cream has kind of been in the family for a very long time," Keyes said.