Samel's Deli on Elm Street in Pittsfield is serving takeout again after a pickup truck tore through its storefront and forced the longtime sandwich shop to close.
The crash that shut the deli down happened in April 2025, when a pickup truck slammed into the Samel's Deli storefront. Accounts of exactly how the crash unfolded differ: the pickup's driver told The Berkshire Eagle that a white Honda CR-V struck the passenger side of his truck while he was heading west on Elm Street, causing him to lose control and crash into the deli's front, while iBerkshires reported that a vehicle coming out of an alleyway struck the pickup, which then continued into the building. iBerkshires reported one injury, while the Eagle reported that two people were taken to the hospital. Both outlets agreed that no one inside or directly outside the deli was hurt, and a crossing signal near the deli's front entrance was also knocked out by the truck.
Repairing the Storefront
The truck crashed through the glass of the deli's front entrance, leaving the shop in need of repairs. The repairs cost about $80,000.
Samel's also offers catering.
A Familiar Menu
The menu includes sandwiches.
Samel's Deli has served Elm Street for more than five decades, tracing back to its founding by brothers Arthur and Ben Samel in 1971. Roller bought the business in May 2004.
Slow Start, Steady Climb Back to Full Speed
Samel's held a soft opening.
For now, Samel's is serving takeout.
