Night spot changes image for new location

Date: 1/20/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE Don Roberts Jr. has changed the face of his well-known nightspot, Maximum Capacity. Besides moving the club to larger quarters in Chicopee Center at 116 School St., Roberts has ditched the midget wrestling and other forms of entertainment from the Memorial Drive location that earned his club some scrutiny from his Fairview neighbors.

Now his emphasis is on building an audience among adults ages 28 to 50 with dinner offerings in a restaurant atmosphere and "a lot more conservative" entertainment.

Since making the move downtown last October, Roberts said that business has been good.

Roberts spoke with Reminder Publications several days before he was undertaking a major renovation to the lower level of the club where the bar and restaurant areas are located.

With a better atmosphere and an extensive and affordable menu, Roberts hopes to fill the void left by the recent closing of the Collegian Court by having a place that will attract employees from City Hall, teachers and other professionals looking for a place to go to when they get out of work.

Roberts is no stranger to the restaurant business, as his family owned LaCroix's Market in Willamansett where he worked 11 years as a server and cook. He said that his menu features dishes that are all homemade, which he said help to keep costs down. He added he hopes to attract that restaurant's former clientele.

He is also seeking banquet and private party business and can accommodate groups from 20 to 450 people.

Roberts made the decision to feature pool at his new club and that has resulted in Maximum Capacity being the location for various league play and tournaments. The club has 10 pool tables and he said it has taken the place of the now-closed Market Street Billiards that was across from City Hall.

His entertainment offerings now center on live music, primarily featuring groups performing 1970s, '80s and '90s rock, although there are also bands featuring original music as well.

He has also had great success as a venue for live amateur ultimate fighting, with the next event scheduled for Jan. 30. Roberts presents those events upstairs. The upcoming matches will be the fifth time he has hosted the sport and he said they are all sell-outs.

He admitted that when moving into the building, some downtown residents voiced their concerns and he had a meeting with them to clear the air. Roberts uses professional security for events and has a strict dress code to maintain order.

Roberts said that while an improvement in the economy would help businesses such as his, a cleanup in downtown Chicopee would also assist him. He cited the demolition of the closed Mobil station on Center Street as a plus. But more can be done, he added.

He is working with Elms College to host parties and events at his establishment, hoping for the students and staff to keep their money in the city rather than going to Springfield.

Roberts said his efforts to build a diverse business are because "we're in for the long haul."

His club's Web site is www.myspace.com/maximumcapacity.