Great Barrington — On Sunday, August 27, husband and wife Will and Robin Curletti announced via social media that they have put their long-running coffee shop, Fuel Bistro and Coffee Shop, up for sale.
The two opened Fuel at its first location at 286 Main Street in 2004. The couple moved to an expanded location in 2016 at the former location of The Gypsy Joynt at 293 Main Street. “Nearly two decades ago, we took ownership of a small cafe and rebranded it, creating the wonderful space that we know today as Fuel,” Will and Robin Curletti co-wrote on their social media pages. “Now as our lives have taken different directions and other opportunities have arisen we are excited to announce that our creation has been listed for sale with Stone House Properties. We would first like to thank all of our dedicated, hard-working family and friends who have worked with us lending their personalities, energy, and talents to make Fuel the social hub of Great Barrington. Our staff has been and continues to be the bedrock of the success we have experienced. As important as our family, friends, and staff are our community has been equally vital and we’d like to thank our loyal customer base as you have made Fuel a daily part of your lives.”
The Curlettis added that they hope whoever buys the cafe will continue it in the same way they have been operating it. “The friendships made and conversations we had will always be the most important part we take away from this experience,” Will and Robin Curletti wrote. “We expect that whoever takes over the stewardship of this great business will continue to commit to keeping Fuel a focal point of daily life in our community.”
In an interview with The Berkshire Edge, Will Curletti said that the business has a lot of value to the community and reiterated the couple’s wish that whoever takes over the business will continue to operate Fuel in the same spirit they have. “Whoever the new owner is, we hope that they will realize that Fuel is an important social hub for the community, and we hope that they would want to maintain that,” Curletti said. “The new owner needs to pay attention to the needs of the residents of the town and the customers. Over the years, it has become an intense sort of personal relationship to get to know people daily and to connect with them. To us, family is the key to success. When you have this type of business, it becomes a part of your own personality.”
Curletti said that Fuel will remain open as it awaits a new owner.
He said that the sale includes the business, the business name, the equipment, merchandise, and the stock on hand. “To us, the most important thing is the brand name,” he said. “The new owner will have to negotiate the lease with Tom Levin, the owner of the building.” Levin is also the owner of the long-running Tom’s Toys, which is in the same building as Fuel.
According to the Stone House Properties website, the business has been put up for sale at $220,000.
As for the future, Curletti said that he is currently developing a property in Housatonic for rental. “We’ve got other things in the hopper, but nothing specific,” he said. “As far as retail business goes, I think we’ve gone to the end of the journey when it comes to that.”