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Partners Matthew Farrar and David Mendelsohn are working to reopen the Adams Alehouse.
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Little has changed inside the tavern since it closed six years ago.
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The partners are also looking to restore the candlepin alley and possibly the second-floor ballroom.

New Owners of Adams Ale House Looking to Reopen Pub

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — Partners Matthew Farrar and David Mendelsohn are looking to restore the Adams Ale House at 8-10 East Hoosac St.

 

The pub was last open in 2018 and there were hopes of finding a potential buyer but none came through and the building hasn't been open since.

Mendelsohn, who owns Brothers Restoration Services, was asked to come and restore the building for the market last year and decided to buy it. The purchase from Zing Financial LLC closed on Sept. 27 for $194,000.

Farrar, who is an ordained minister, wanted to do something in his retirement and was looking to buy another restaurant building but was pointed toward Mendelsohn and decided to become partners on the Adams Ale House project.

Their work is only just started. The two are just cleaning up the space are hoping to run some fundraisers to help them reopen. 

"We want to bring it back to community stuff. That's why we're going to do the fundraisers and create the menu and have people come in and try them, and then they can all say, 'Oh, well, they used to have this' and we will say OK. Well, if we know how to make that, if not, we'll figure it out. So our whole plan is working community on everything."

The two want to open as a steakhouse with a goal to work with local farmers. They plan to be open by capacity only a couple days a week for dinner to give the Adams community a different place to eat.

"During peak hours, Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday night, service steaks, when everyone's looking to go get some dinner with the family, and you have to drive to Dalton, and you have to drive to Williamstown or Pittsfield," Mendelsohn said.

The closures of the Firehouse Cafe and Haflinger Haus have left a gap in evening dining choices in Adams.

The two still need some permits. Once they open the restaurant portion, they would like to bring back the four-lane candlepin alley on the first floor and bring in a pool league. They're also looking to open up the second level for concerts and bring back the church that used to be there.

The building had been owned and operated by the Polish Roman Catholic Society of St. Stanislaus Kostka until it closed in 2009 because of finances. The hall was built in 1912 at a cost of $15,000.

It was sold in 2012 and opened as the Adams Ale House in a year later; it closed in 2017 but reopened under new management for a few months the following year.

"We want to revibe the vibe so that the community knows you know what yeah it's the Old Ale House," Farrar said.

They are looking for volunteers to help come and clean up the space. Contact Farrar for more information at 207-693-2927.


Tags: bars, taverns,   restaurants,   

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming Victorian in Adams

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a Victorian home with historic charm? Then this is the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 32 Summer St.

You can see the house in person this Sunday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for an open house.

This 1900 home is 2,497 square feet and has four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The house is filled with natural light showcasing the spacious living areas that have hardwood flooring. The front door opens to the living room that features a fireplace for cozy evenings in the winter.

The kitchen is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast or watch while someone cooks. It has an attached dining room, the perfect place for family meals. 

The house has a semi-finished basement with a wet bar included and another room with pantry amenities.

The back yard has semi-views of Mount Greylock and also features a deck space with a retractable awning for meals or a space to enjoy the outside.

The house is on the market for $525,000.

We spoke with Sean Taylor with Moresi Real Estate Partners who is listing the home.

What do you think makes this house stand out in the current market?

This house has been completely renovated with nothing left undone. From tin ceilings to hardwood floors throughout, heat pumps in most rooms, and Trex decking. The second floor has a redone laundry room with lots of closet space. The bathrooms have been updated as well as the kitchen, electrical. The home is just waiting for a new family to come and enjoy the heavy lifting that's already been done.

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