North Adams Sees Drop in Alcohol Licenses

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city's down four alcohol licenses for 2025 with the closing of the Mohawk Tavern, Meng's Pan-Asian, Bistro 413 and the Breakroom. 
 
The License Commission last week approved the annual pouring, entertainment, package, liquor and automobile dealer licenses for the coming year. 
 
Commissioner Rosemari Dickinson said Bistro 413 and Mohawk had alerted her they were not renewing; Meng's surrendered its license in September and the Break Room when it closed in September. 
 
"It's a hit. ... I keep saying this every year, as the years go by, we lose," she said. "Like last year, I believe we lost four or five, or the year before. I don't have the figures in front of me, but it seems we're going down."
 
The Mohawk shuttered its doors on Nov. 30; the bar had been operated for nine years by Alexander "Sandy" Smith, whose Gramercy Bistro closed in October when its lease in Williamstown was not renewed. 
 
The closure isn't the only one in the Mulcare Block: Grazie Ristorante owner Matthew Tatro announced that he would be moving the eatery to the Venue, formerly the Ranch, on State Street. 
 
Both the bar and restaurant had opened as anchors in the historic block renovated by developer David Moresi of Moresi & Associates. When contacted about the future of those spaces, Moresi responded, "always a plan."
 
Meng's was closed by order of the Board of Health after city inspectors found numerous problems. The restaurant had been taken over by new owners earlier this year. 
 
Award-winning chef Brian Alberg closed the Break Room at Greylock Works in September and was replaced by State Food and Drink, which does not have an alcohol license. 
 
Bistro 413 had operated for six years, first in Williamstown and then for four years in Hotel Downstreet on Main Street. The family owned business said it will continue it catering operations. 
 
Dickinson said any restaurant going into the hotel would have to apply for a new license. The hotel had been approved last fall for an all-alcohol license with plans to sell premixed cocktails or wines for consumption in rooms but apparently had not moved forward with the plan and had no license on file.
 
The Wigwam Western Summit had a seasonal license, which went the old owners. Kelly and Alan Scofield took over the operations in early fall and noted on the Wigwam's Facebook page they wouldn't be serving in 2024 but "we hope to toast you soon."
 
"They haven't approached us yet, because they were trying to feel their way around and decide if that was something they really want to pursue," said Dickinson, adding if they do decide, it would be in the next year.
 

Tags: license board,   alcohol license,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 
 
The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.
 
"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.
 
A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 
 
Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 
 
They will submit those with a school picture to the governor. 
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories