Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Shack.
A longtime Berkshire resident, New York City native Laura graduated Baldwin High School, attended Bradford College and transferred to New York University where she participated in the Nutrition and Food Studies Program. The inspiration for her future career came from her mentor, Master Chef, James Beard, with whom she studied for three years and she credits Beard for encouraging her to start her own catering company, Place settings, which she launched in 1980 in New York City and ran for ten years.
Laura then moved to the Berkshires, drawn by her family’s long association with the area. She spent childhood summers at her grandparent’s cottage on Lake Buel in Monterey and later at her parent’s cottage on the Stockbridge Bowl. She opened the Roseborough Grill in Lenox in 1993, which had a very successful ten-year run before she transformed it into Firefly, and later, Firefly Gastropub & Catering Co. Firefly has received remarkable reviews for its food, decor, service and award-winning wine list.
Laura is warm, generous, eager to meet new people, make them her friends and welcome them graciously. Firefly reflects her personality. It is a gracious, beautiful and welcoming restaurant to which Laura invites you to “eat, drink, laugh… and lounge.”
Has it been a smooth road?
For the most part, I’ve been extraordinarily lucky where the business has been concerned. Probably the biggest struggle has been the fact that the Berkshires is a seasonal area. We always know we’ll be busy during the summer months when Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow and the theatres are in full swing, but we work hard to maintain a year-round business (where a number of other local restaurants take a break during the slower fall and winter months).
We’ve made a concerted effort to cater to our locals and are known for our weekly specials, wintertime prix fixe dinners and a lively music scene every weekend.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Firefly Gastropub & Catering Co. offers up the relaxed, gastropub concept, which focuses on high-quality comfort food and a commitment to serving both loyal and local customers, in an open and welcoming atmosphere. Firefly’s offerings include an expanded craft beer menu, creative cocktail selections, and Chef/Owner Laura Shack’s signature, fresh take on pub fare.
Laura is known for maintaining a stable of customer favorites like the ever-popular “$5 Burger Wednesdays” in addition to serving up seasonally curated specials that enhance Firefly’s primary menu. Kitchen hours are extended during the summer months so that customers who attend any of the Berkshires’ numerous cultural events can choose to eat before or after the show—a concept that has resonated well with locals and visitors alike. Firefly’s bar remains open even after kitchen hours.
Firefly is also known for its live music schedule, hosting wildly popular gigs every Friday and Saturday night.
Firefly Gastropub & Catering Co. is open year-round and also offers full-service catering.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Lenox is a wonderful place to be, but running a successful business in the Berkshires is no easy task. As mentioned earlier, the fact that the area is seasonal can be a challenge to restaurateurs and businesses in the service industry in general. That being said, it’s not for the faint of heart or anyone just starting out. I came to the Berkshires with years of experience under my belt and a lifelong knowledge of the area and its locals, and that has, ultimately, stood me in good stead.
Pricing:
- Weekly specials including the ever-popular $5 Burger Night (Wednesdays), $5 Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy (Thursdays), and 50 cent Wings (Sundays)
- Prix Fixe dinners for two (during winter and early spring) including a bottle of wine – $70
Contact Info:
- Address: 71 Church Street Lenox, MA 01240
- Website: fireflylenox.com
- Phone: 413.637.2700
- Email: cheffirefly@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fireflygastropub/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fireflygastropub/
Image Credit:
Jocelyn Vassos, Tarryn Shiner
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