NORTH ADAMS -- Red Sauce Ristorante closed its doors for the final time on Sept. 1, leaving its patrons and its landlord questioning the abrupt end to the Italian eatery's six-year run.
"We're unsure as to why the Ceccherini family closed the restaurant, but they did apologize for closing so abruptly. We're a little perplexed, as they had a viable business," Scott Avery said Wednesday, speaking on behalf of his parents, Walter and Anita, who own the 139 Ashland St. building as Avery Family Nominee Trust.
Chef-owner Edward Ceccherini, who opened the restaurant in May 2006, declined to comment on the restaurant when contacted by the Transcript.
The restaurant's menu specialized in dishes with a red sauce hailing from the northern regions of Italy.
"It's a sad loss for the city," Mayor Richard J. Alcombright said Thursday. "The Ceccherini family ran a nice operation. They had great food and a great atmosphere there. It's unfortunate that they closed."
The mayor said he was not aware of the reason for the restaurant going dark.
However, the state Department of Revenue filed a lien against the restaurant, for the amount of $5,657.91 in unpaid meals tax, with the Northern Berkshire Registry of Deeds on July 20. The tax lien is not the first issued for Ceccherini and the restaurant. In 2008, the state filed a similar tax lien, for $13,573.14 in unpaid meals tax. The lien was removed in January 2010, following payment
Avery, who operated the restaurant Canteen at the same location, said his family purchased the former Peno's Bar in 2000 and fully renovated it. Since then, the 14,000-square-foot building has been home to Desperado's, which is now located on Eagle Street, and Red Sauce.
"We haven't decided what we're going to do with the building yet," he said. "It has a great bar and seating for 100. It's a really great space. We just haven't decided if we're going to sell it or lease it. I have a project of my own that I might put there."
To reach Jennifer Huberdeau, email
jhuberdeau@thetranscript.com.
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