Joanne's had been part of the community for nearly a half century, developing a strong patronage and a connection with the community.
For Strizzi, the former diner became part of her journey helping her ignite her passion in the food industry.
She started working for Joanne at the age of 14, when she would walk to the establishment after school and spend her Saturdays washing dishes. She went on to work at a variety of restaurants including Cim's Tavern, Luau Hale, and The Soda Chief and jumped around positions, including waitressing and bartending, learning the industry.
"I've worked in the restaurant business for 40 years and I've always loved it … it's just fun. You know, it's family. My nanny always told me it's family, friends, good food and good times," Strizzi said.
The Pittsfield native wants to give back to the community that made her who she is today.
"This is where the dream started for her. She never really lost it. Just never thought she was able to come. Very rarely does somebody end up owning the place where they started," broker Steve Ray said.
"She was fortunate enough to go out and work for some of the best in the industry at what they do and take a page from each one. There's no doubt she'll do well."
Strizzi often told Amuso of her desire to own a restaurant of her own but never thought in "a million years" that dream would turn into reality.
The hometown eatery vibe that the community has come to love still runs deep in the foundation of the new Shelley's Kitchen. Although they have only been open three weeks, they already have regulars, Strizzisaid.
The restaurant is family run with some of the staff being Strizzi and Amuso's parents, kids, or grandchildren.
"We've got four generations on the weekends working here. That's pretty amazing," Amuso said.
Other staff and patrons have also become part of the Shelly's Kitchen family. Some of the patrons who choose to make the diner a regular part of their day have had their meals named after them.
Although Joanne Longton retired in January, she still comes into the diner and helps out whenever they need her, Strizzi said.
Strizzi is continuing with the same community that Longton cultivated, Ray said.
"It's more of a little community place here and that's what Joanne obviously had. She knew that Shelley would keep that going and that's why I think she was so happy to see that it was Shelley," he said.
The diner serves up eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, homemade pie, and other classic meals Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6 to 2 and Saturday and Sunday from 6 to 12:30.
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has a "conservative" budget for fiscal year 2025 with a nearly 6 percent increase.
On Thursday, the commission approved a $6,640,005 budget for FY25, a $373,990 increase from the previous year. The spending plan saw less growth from FY24 to FY25, as the FY23 to FY24 increase was more than $886,000, or over 16 percent.
Executive Director Thomas Matuszko said there aren't any dramatic changes.
"This is very much different than a municipal budget in that it's not a controlling budget or a limiting budget," he said. "It is really just our best estimate of our ability to afford to operate."
The increase is largely due to new grants for public health programs, environmental and energy efforts, economic development, community planning, and the transportation program.
"We have a lot of grants and a lot of applications in. If any of those are awarded, which I'm sure there's going to be many of them, we would shift gears and if we have to add staff or direct expenses, we would," office manager Marianne Sniezek explained.
"But the budget that we have now is conservative and it covers all our expenses."
The budget was endorsed by the finance and executive committee before reaching the full planning commission.
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Around 100 local officials, business and community leaders and residents attended the session that will help fuel the state's five-year housing plan. click for more
Voters approved all 22 articles on the warrant unanimously at the annual Fire District meeting on Tuesday night at the Stationery Factory.
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