City officials see the new business as a sign that the downtown is rebounding
WESTFIELD – “Westfield is looking better and better every day,” Longmeadow businessman Daniel V. Dineen said as he prepares to launch a venture downtown.
Dineen and his partner Thomas Murphy, of Agawam, are planning to open an Irish sports pub on Elm Street, to be located in the former Piccolo’s Restaurant which closed in June.
“The redevelopment effort downtown and the presence of (Westfield State University) college students makes us very excited to come to Westfield,” Dineen said.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik welcomed Dineen and Murphy saying Wednesday, “This is great news. I cannot wait for it to open. This has been a missing facet for years in our downtown.”
City Advancement Officer Jeffery Daly said, “While it was sad to see Piccolo’s go, we are excited about the faith shown in Westfield, and we welcome the new business. This is a sign showing that what the city is doing to rebound its downtown is getting attention.”
Dineen said he plans to open the pub in early 2011. “There are still some things to complete. We need to transfer the liquor license and do a little revamp,” he explained.
Dineen and Murphy operate several similar type businesses in the region. They own Paddy’s Irish Pub in Springfield, just off the campus of Western New England College, and McMurphy’s Tavern and Stacker’s in Amherst.
They were the successful bidder for the Piccolo property at 110 Elm St. at an auction held late Tuesday afternoon. They acquired the three-story building and contents for $220,000 and must pay the city about $31,000 in taxes and utility fees.
Westfield Business Improvement District Director Lisa G. McMahon also welcomed the new business, calling it “awesome that the lights will be back on soon. We miss Piccolo’s but we are excited that they chose Westfield to invest in.”
Joseph J. Mantegna, owner of Manchins’ Associates office building at 102-108 Elm St., said a sports pub “should be very successful, especially with our college students in the downtown. It should prove to be a viable downtown business.”
The Piccolo property is located across Elm Street from Westfield State University’s Downtown Art Gallery and only a short walking distance from Lansdown Place where about 100 college students live.