110 Year-Old Supermarket In Mass. To Become Asian Buffet

A more than 100 year old grocery store in Pittsfield, MA is set to become an Asian restaurant which should bring some life to surrounding neighborhood once again.

Harry’s Supermarket on Wahconah Street is getting a new life as a 200-seat Asian hibachi restaurant. Harry’s was a special place for over 100 years, starting in 1914 when Harry Nichols Sr. opened it as a variety store. -berkshireeagle.com

His big family, including seven sons, ran the store, which later became a supermarket loved for its meat and deli counters. In 2014, Harry’s celebrated its 100th birthday! The Nichols family sold it in 2021 to new owners who kept the name, but a big fire in July 2023 changed everything.

The fire started near a deli cooler, causing heavy smoke and water damage. Firefighters broke windows and cut a hole in the roof to stop the blaze, but the store never reopened. There was a lot of speculation within the local community of how the fire started, but it was eventually deemed undetermined. 

It was put up for sale in 2024 for $799,000. Earlier this month, Huzjie Zhu, linked to Panda House in Lenox, a popular Berkshire spot, bought the building. Even though it’s damaged, the structure is strong enough to rebuild.

The new restaurant will serve Asian food with hibachi grills and have 61 parking spots. The city approved the plans in 2025, and it’s expected to be a new hotspot for Pittsfield. We don’t know the exact opening date yet, but work is starting soon. This change keeps the building’s history alive while bringing something new to the neighborhood.