Lee — On the heels of a new American bistro announced for a storefront on West Center Street, Lee is “on track” to gain another eatery just around the corner.
Anandkumar Singh and Kevin Orozco are behind The Station, a new restaurant venture at 109 Railroad Street in Lee, the previous site of Mexican eatery Antojitos Oaxaca.
Singh and Orozco have made a name for themselves with local foodies as proprietors of food trailers Charlie’s Bistro Bus and ice cream eatery Berkshire Cone, serving patrons around Berkshire County: at Balderdash Cellars winery in Richmond, the TurnPark Summer Festival in West Stockbridge, Hot Plate Brewing in Pittsfield, Berkshire Mountain Distillery in Sheffield, and Moe’s Tavern in Lee.
“This is going to be their first brick-and-mortar location,” said John Graziano, a Lee attorney and president of the firm Hunter, Graziano and DeSantis, P.C. that represents corporate entity owned by Singh and Orozco, Charlies & Co. Inc. He said the restaurant is slated to be open on or before February 14, Valentine’s Day, offering a more upscale menu to the Bistro Bus.
“It will be good food at a reasonable price,” Graziano said. “[The menu] will contain some traditional Indian foods but with a more fusion flair.”
The property houses a converted 1860 railroad station with a caboose along with an outdoor patio. Graziano said the restaurant will be operated year round.
“The space is fantastic and has a great history in Lee,” he said, adding that the interior will be refreshed but will honor the structure’s past.
The February 1 lease includes an option to purchase the property, Graziano said. He confirmed that Saphire Senger-O’Leary is on board as the restaurant’s manager and has ties to Frankie’s Ristorante in Lenox.
South Easton attorney Matthew Porter, who specializes in liquor license applications, submitted an all-alcohol license request with the town of Lee on January 3 on behalf of Charlies & Co. Inc. A public hearing on the application is scheduled for January 21 at 7 p.m. in Lee Town Hall.
