Wander: A Big New LGBTQ+ Community Space, with Food and Events for All in Pittsfield
A new space in Pittsfield has folks wandering in for sober events, LGBTQ+ community gatherings, and quick bites.
Through an alley entrance, down Depot Street in Pittsfield, in a 3,000-square-foot old warehouse is the new sober, LGBTQ+ community space called Wander. Founder Jay Santangelo says the goal here is to build a community and “spark joy.”
Santangelo moved to the area three years ago with their wife and daughter, Wander has been gaining momentum, hosting events such as drag bingo, music nights, and queer-centered yoga classes, while also providing drinks, snacks, and a welcoming third space for community engagement.
“I’ve always been around food and people, and deeply rooting in community is at my core as well,” says Santangelo, who grew up working at a family bakery in Boston’s North End. After studying at the International Center of Photography, they worked in photography before pivoting to hospitality, where they joined companies such as MML Hospitality and Preacher.
After the loss of their mother and brother during the pandemic, Santangelo felt it was time for a reset. “I was completely lost and entrenched in grief,” they say. As a queer and transgender individual, Santangelo envisioned Wander as a safe and inclusive space for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community to gather, bond, and heal if needed.
While training for the Boston Marathon, the idea for Wander came to them. Initially, Santangelo sought to just create an accessible darkroom, a rarity in the Berkshires and a source of personal comfort and stability over the years.
Visitors to Wander will find a light-filled space featuring a bar and various seating options, from couches to a long bench with wood tables, where sunlight streams in through refurbished factory windows. A selection of locally made and curated artisanal goods, like NON brand nonalcoholic wine and empathetic greeting cards from Em and Friends, plus other items like tinctures, candles, are also available.
Wander Founder Jay Santangelo. Photo courtesy of Wander.
“The vision just kept growing in my mind,” Santangelo says. “Community has been at the core of my photo work—it just made sense.” They also recognized the lack of “third spaces” in the area—places outside of home and work for community gatherings—as well as sober spaces. Santangelo, who has been sober for years, searched for about a year before securing the Depot Street location. “I never imagined Wander to be the giant space it is now, but when I walked in, it checked off all the boxes,” they say.
The space officially opened last fall and has been growing busier each week. The café launched first, and construction on the darkroom will begin soon. In the meantime, visitors can enjoy nutrient-dense snacks and to-go meals, along with nonalcoholic drinks such as on-tap kombucha. Wander has hosted queer dance parties, drag events, and a Transgender Day of Remembrance mutual aid fundraiser titled “Existence is Resistance.”
Santangelo emphasizes the importance of integrating LGBTQIA+ resources into Wander’s programming and attracting like-minded collaborators. “Events at Wander are doing something really powerful: creating space for joy, connection, and resilience in a time when queer and trans communities are facing increasing discrimination and hostility nationwide,” they say. “Third spaces like Wander are more than just venues—they're sanctuaries where people can show up fully as themselves, without fear, and find solidarity among others who understand the stakes. The lineup of events isn't just about entertainment; it's about visibility, healing, and reclaiming joy as a form of resistance.”
To that end, Wander has partnered with several queer and trans organizations in the Berkshires, including Berkshire Trans Exchange, which provides free gender-affirming clothing and accessories, and Seeing Rainbows, a trans-led nonprofit offering arts workshops, hikes, and mutual aid initiatives. The two organizations collaborated with Wander in January to host a “New Year Glow-Up” event. Additionally, LGBTQIA+ community members have contributed their expertise, such as local author Eden Robins, who recently hosted an obituary-writing workshop in conjunction with her book Remember You Will Die.
Santangelo acknowledges both weariness and resilience among queer community members. “Many people feel the weight of ongoing political attacks—on healthcare, bodily autonomy, and basic rights—but they're also doubling down on building strong, supportive networks,” they say. “There's a real hunger for spaces that aren't just reactionary but proactive in fostering belonging, celebration, and creative expression. The fact that Wander is explicitly queer- and trans-founded makes it even more significant; it signals that this isn’t just a place that 'welcomes' LGBTQ+ folks, but one built with them at its heart while embracing the broader community as well.”
Santangelo notes that much of Wander’s furnishings were repurposed from Luau Hale Polynesian Restaurant in Lenox, which closed last year after more than 50 years in operation. Santangelo’s family now lives in former owner Jodi Woo Bloom’s house, and visitors frequently recognize the furnishings. “These little things connect us,” Santangelo says.
Local government has also been supportive. Pittsfield Mayor Peter Marchetti attended Wander's recent ribbon-cutting, and Wander is part of the Transformative Development Initiative’s Creative Catalyst Cohort, which received $125,000 from MassDevelopment for a Downtown Pittsfield Creative Alliance. “This is just the beginning,” Santangelo says. “It’s cool to see that every day I walk in here, I get to see people I saw the day before I didn’t know. I feel thankful and grateful to have the opportunity to bring Wander into the community.”
