House of Seasoning lands alcohol license

By M att M artinez

PITTSFIELD — House of Seasoning, a restaurant with African-American cuisine just off Wahconah Street, recently received its alcohol license, allowing the restaurant to serve liquor after a months long process to receive approval from the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

Mathieu Niamke, co-owner of House of Seasoning at 117 Seymour St., said the restaurant received its alcohol license on Feb. 13. The approval came about two weeks after the owners submitted a second application for a license to the Pittsfield Licensing Board on Jan. 30 because of a snag with the state commission due to the makeup of their management team.

The restaurant opened in September, and began the process of trying to acquire its liquor license in November.

Until the license was received, the restaurant had been serving wine, beer and liquor, including a list of specialty cocktails made with rum, tequila, gin and more. It will soon have a beer tap, as well, as they try to get that apparatus in working order.

Running the business for the first five months without alcohol was difficult, Niamke said. The owners are still trying to attract more local customers, too.

is huge,” Jones said. He credited Mass MoCA staff, including director Kristy Edmunds, for helping make it happen.

It’s an opportunity that has not always been available to Black men, “especially in this community,” Jones said. He added, “So many times people say that Black people can’t make it in this area. And if you listen to what people say, you’re never gonna get anywhere.”

Niamke , who co-owns House of Seasoning with his wife, Raissa Doumbia, said he was grateful to Greylock Federal Credit Union and the Berkshire Black Economic Council for giving the restaurant business with catering and ordering gift cards for their employees. The support helped a lot in the interim.

The restaurant has recently introduced a deal night on Fridays hoping to attract more local business. Customers can get $1 wings, at a minimum of 12 wings, and drink specials starting at 8 p.m. on Fridays until the restaurant’s close.