Restaurant in works in Hatfield to feature pinball, pizza and beer

Hatfield  04-17-2023.

Hatfield 04-17-2023.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 01-11-2025 5:01 PM

HATFIELD — A local pinball player is pitching the idea of opening a new restaurant focused on pizza, beer and a number of pinball machines.

The Planning Board Wednesday had preliminary discussions about a project being proposed by Amy McDonough of Hatfield for 10 West St., using the 7,104-square-foot space in the Danco Modern Furniture plaza previously occupied by Lumber Liquidators, later known as LL Flooring, until its closing last summer.

McDonough, whose professional experience for the past 14 years has been as a renewable energy developer, is a founder of Northampton Belles and Chimes, a women’s pinball group. McDonough said she has held tournaments for the group at her home.

“It was through this, my enthusiasm for pinball, that this idea actually germinated,” McDonough said.

But she told planners she needed alcohol and food to go along with the idea of an entertainment place focused on pinball, and Hatfield has an available liquor license that could accommodate such a business.

McDonough envisions the restaurant as being a bistro, with wood-fired brick oven pizza. She would hire managers to oversee the restaurant and bar, noting her experience in the restaurant industry comes from her time on a waitstaff.

The business will be family friendly, putting in other games that are attractive for younger people and for youth birthday parties, such as Skee-Ball and some video arcade-style games.

Dan Bonham from Bonham and Douglas Architects of Northampton, who is handling the design work, said no changes are anticipated to the building footprint, other than a walk-in cooler attached to the side of the building. No exterior improvements are happening except for paint and signs.

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Bonham said there is still some design work to do, including renderings of the exterior. He said a site plan review could be filed for the board’s February meeting.

Members of the board seemed receptive to the concept.

Board member Doug Finn said plans should likely address concerns from abutters that may include noise, such as any live music that might be on site, and lighting and parking.

“Anticipating what abutters will be concerned about, that seems right,” said Chairwoman Stephanie Slysz, noting that the location is primarily surrounded by other businesses, with the only resident who can likely see the property living in a ranch home across the town line in Northampton.

Board member Jimmy Tarr said the location is the perfect place for another restaurant, with a hotel development permitted for an adjacent property.

“I think that you got a pretty positive response here,” Tarr said.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.