Crepe-based all-day restaurant The Skinny Pancake gets go-ahead for Route 9 site in Hadley

STAFF FILE PHOTOWEB ONLY

STAFF FILE PHOTOWEB ONLY STAFF FILE PHOTO

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 04-04-2024 6:25 PM

HADLEY — An eatery specializing in both sweet and savory crepes, developed from a street cart that began operating in 2003 on Church Street in Burlington, Vt., could have its first restaurant in Massachusetts open on Route 9 this summer.

The Select Board on Wednesday unanimously approved an on-premise, all-alcohol license for The Skinny Pancake, to be located at 379 Russell St., a small plaza in front of Hampshire Mall that includes Elements Massage.

CEO Benjy Adler said the business, which he calls a restaurant chainlet with locations in Vermont and New York, hopes to open on or around Aug. 1.

“It’s a three-meal-a-day concept, or you could say four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert,” Adler said.

The Skinny Pancake will be in the former Moe’s Southwest Grill site, which closed a year or so ago. It will use both the interior, where Adler said a “hefty” renovation will take place, and also create an outdoor patio at the rear.

“We’re going to invest in the space and make it look and feel really nice,” Adler said.

Adler said The Skinny Pancake’s newest location is in Albany, N.Y., with the others all in Vermont, including three in Burlington — on the Lake Champlain waterfront, on the University of Vermont campus and at Burlington International Airport — and in Montpelier, Quechee and Stowe.

While it’s a crepe-based business, Adler said having the alcohol license will allow drinks like mimosas and Bloody Marys, which can go along with the savory crepes such as cheese, chicken, pesto and pulled pork.

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“They pair nicely, like an apples and brie crepe goes nicely with a glass of wine,” Adler said

Having the liquor license will also allow the restaurant to offer a selection of microbrews, including craft beers made in Vermont.

When board members asked about alcohol service, Adler explained that the business is accustomed to following often serious rules, including at the airport, where food and drinks are served post-security at both terminals.

The business will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., though there could be some variance on hours depending on the time of year, Adler said.