Great Barrington — A popular Main Street pizzeria is moving around the corner into a somewhat less visible space but one that will allow for considerable expansion.
Baba Louie’s, located in the heart of downtown in the Barrington House, will move into the Railroad Street space formerly occupied by the Allium Bar and Restaurant, which closed at the end of the year.
See video below of Baba Louie’s owner Paul Masiero and his lawyer Joelle G. Collins describe the move to the selectboard:
Baba Louie’s owner Paul Masiero said it is not entirely clear when the move will take place. It all depends on how soon he hears back from the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. But he has a running start after the selectboard approved the liquor license transfer unanimously Monday night, so he is hoping to open on Railroad Street by mid-March.
The transfer from former Allium owner Nancy Thomas is necessary because Masiero will continue to operate the Main Street restaurant while the new location undergoes what his attorney Joelle G. Collins of Cain Hibbard & Myers described as renovations that will be “cosmetic, not structural.” Click here to see the application.
While Baba Louie’s is popular and is known for its sourdough pizza, sandwiches and salads, the dining area in the Main Street location has room for only about 50 patrons.
So it is also known for its coziness. During the summers, it is not unusual to see a dozen customers waiting patiently in a line on Main Street to get into the place for lunch.
With space for 105 diners, the former Allium space will allow Masiero to more than double his capacity. Allium also has a much larger bar than the space in the Barrington House.
Baba Louie’s also has a location in Hudson, New York. A Baba Louie’s in Pittsfield closed in 2016, replaced by a Tito’s Mexican Grill.
