Former Four Leaf Clover site in Bernardston could become housing, offices

Bernardston Selectboard members Brian Keir and Brian Hervieux review plans for 19 South St. on Wednesday.

Bernardston Selectboard members Brian Keir and Brian Hervieux review plans for 19 South St. on Wednesday. STAFF PHOTO/MADISON SCHOFIELD

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

Staff Writer

Published: 01-24-2025 6:29 PM

BERNARDSTON — The Selectboard has given its initial blessings to Greenfield construction company BRJ Builders to develop apartments and potentially retail space at 19 South St., the former site of the Four Leaf Clover Restaurant.

The property was sold to Pinnacle Mountain LLC, owned by Benjamin John of BRJ Builders, in October for $150,000. After a few months of brainstorming, John brought his initial dreams for the property to the Selectboard on Wednesday, seeking support before he proceeds with further design work and seeks a special permit from the Planning Board.

While plans are still in development, John said he hopes to put three new buildings on the lot that include an office space for his construction company, a retail space for other businesses and a few apartments. The property is located in the Center Village District.

“Right now the existing idea is to have some apartments there and my company,” John said.

The initial plan is to put three modular buildings on the site. One smaller ranch-style building in the southwest corner of the lot would be an office and storage space for John’s companies — BRJ Builders and Pinnacle Mountain, which specialize in residential construction and land development. Two larger colonial-style buildings would be put on the north side of the lot, with common green space in the middle for tenants to enjoy.

John said he is not yet sure if the buildings would be just residential or if he would create retail or office space on the first floor and have apartments above. He is still researching what would be a better financial decision and whether rental office space or rental apartments would better cover the construction expenses.

“We might actually offer some office space for some other companies on the first floor,” John said.

Each of the residential colonial buildings will include two to four apartments, depending on if office space will be created on the first floor. John added he is still unsure about the size of the apartments, but current designs include two apartments on each floor, each with two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, bathroom and laundry room.

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John said opening a new restaurant at the space would be too expensive, but residential space and office space is doable. The site had been home to the Four Leaf Clover Restaurant for 71 years, but burned down after it became the Falltown Grill in 2022.

“There’s been some ideas and I think each one of them, including my business, would be a benefit to the town,” he said.

John said the plan is to only build on the areas that are currently covered in concrete so as to not increase any environmental impacts on the property and to keep permitting and construction processes simple and quick. The property is near a wetlands buffer zone, so further development would become complicated, requiring Board of Health and Conservation Commission approval.

The intention is to pursue modular construction, as it is quicker and easier to develop. Modular construction is a process where buildings are pre-fabricated off-site and then installed at the intended location.

Selectboard members gave John their initial nod of approval, and said while they are not experts on the town’s zoning and planning requirements, they think it is a project worth pursuing and John should take his ideas to the planning and zoning boards.

John said he plans to continue meeting with the boards, but he wanted to ensure there would be initial support for the development before he invests more time and money into the idea. He hopes to finalize the plans, begin the permitting process and then begin construction as soon as possible.

“I’d love to be in there by next year,” John said. “The goal would be to fast track as much as we can and be in there next year by March.”

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.