GREAT BARRINGTON — Two downtown restaurants are under new ownership and preparing to reopen with new branding while largely keeping their menus the same.

The Select Board approved a slate of business-related licenses Monday, including licenses for El Mular and Patisserie Lenox's Great Barrington location, as well as temporary beer and wine permits tied to upcoming community events.

El Mular, owned by Jose Hernandez Vasquez, is taking over Taqueria Azteca, previously owned by his cousin, Pascual Francisco. With a new name and logo, it will remain a burrito-centric takeout-only shop inside the Barrington House on Main Street, open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Francisco said the restaurant has been operating for the last 20 years as a to-go-only burrito spot. Under new ownership, it will essentially be the same restaurant just under a different name.

Sandra Viviana Moreno, Nelson Lozada and Betsy Pulido took over the former location of Patisserie Lenox at 313 Main St. They plan to continue operating the patisserie and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"We are excited to become the new owners, and our goal is to respect its tradition, keep the quality for people and continue serving the community with care," one of the new owners said over Zoom during the meeting.

Former owners of Patisserie Lenox, Jean Yves and Yulia Bougouin, closed the cafe at the end of 2025 after 12 years in business.

The Select Board also approved a temporary beer and wine license for Great Barrington Fish and Game Association for an ice fishing derby, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 14 and for its ham shoots every Sunday from Feb. 22 to March 29.

Berkshire Natural Resource Council got permission from the board to create a footpath through the underdeveloped area of the Elmwood Cemetery off Roger Road and Blue Hill Road that will be part of the High Road trail network. The trail assessment was first approved during the 2024 Town Meeting by a two-thirds majority and recently got a lawyer's authorization to go ahead.

Work on the trail will likely start as soon as the weather allows, Assistant Town Manager Chris Rembold said.

"Each time a new trail starts and gets added, it's very exciting," Rembold said.