Only a few people attended the auction for the North Street building, including representatives from the bank holding the mortgage.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The former Ferrin Gallery on North Street sold for $160,000 at auction on Tuesday.
Only a few people showed up for the 11 a.m. auction and there was only one bidder. While bids opened at $140,000, the sole bidder offered $160,000 when it was clear no one else was going to jump in.
The buyer refused to provide any information but left with representatives from the People's United Bank, the mortgageholder.
Aaron Posnik Auctioneers managed the short auction. The building features two commercial/condominium spaces. The Ferrin Gallery most recently occupied it as the only tenant in the building.
The building at 437 and 439 North St. has a total of 2,800 square feet — Unit 102 has 1,340 and Unit 103 has 1,460. there is a 1,900 square-foot basement. It is zoned as a Downtown Arts District Overlay and has parking for more than 20 vehicles in the back.
The purchaser is responsible for $1,885.11 in back taxes owed to the city.
Leslie Ferrin opened the gallery in 2007 but put it on the market in 2011 for $350,000. Failing to interest any buyers, Ferrin moved her business and closed the gallery last month and the bank took possession.
North Adams Verizon Store Under New Ownership
By Andy McKeever On: 05:00PM / Friday March 01, 2013
The Main Street business in now under new management.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Wireless Zone, an authorized Verizon Wireless store on Main Stree,t has new owners, who are looking to expand inventory and remodel the showroom.
On Friday, owners Nate Bastarache and Keith Parzych moved into their new store after buying the business. The North Adams location is the fifth Bastarache will own and second in the Berkshires.
Over the next two weeks, the store will still be open but the owners will be completely overhauling the interior. The store will be a fully staffed, with five to six employees, open seven days a week and carry all Verizon products, including Apple products.
"We are remodeling with all brand-new fixtures and equipment. We're going to stock everything Verizon has to offer," Bastarache said.
They were even open Friday despite their inventory arriving late in the afternoon. The store may install a new exterior sign after receiving approval from the city.
Bastarache also opened the Verizon Wireless store in Great Barrington and when the opportunity to buy the North Adams store presented itself four months ago, he jumped on it.
"I love it [in the Berkshires]. I wanted a store on the other side of the county," he said. "There was the need and opportunity in North Adams."
Bastarache worked with Parzych for 12 years in the auto industry. After being frustrated with the customer service, he was receiving with wireless stores, he opened his first Verizon Wireless store in Easthampton. Shortly after, he opened another store in Northampton, followed by Chicopee and last year in Great Barrington. He reunited with Parzych to partner in purchasing the North Adams location.
He said the key to making the business thrive is good customer service and having the items in stock. All of the showroom products will be "live" for customers to "basically test drive the device" and at least two staffers will be on at all times, he said, including either himself of Parzych.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will present the 2013 Berkshire Home Expo on the weekend of March 8-10 at the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough.
Thousands come from all corners of Western Massachusetts to attend this annual event, which is open and free to the public during mall hours.
More than 20 exhibitors have already secured booth space, include those offering landscaping services; home renovations and expansions; appliances; financial services; and even "green" and solar options for your home. Booth space is extremely limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Director of Programs and Events for the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Christine Hoyt is confident exhibit space will sell out and encourages all interested parties to contact her directly at 413-499-4000, Ext. 126.
Neal, Business Organizations Sponsor Export Forum
Staff Reports On: 02:49PM / Friday January 25, 2013
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Small-business development organizations and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal are sponsoring a forum on how local companies could benefit from exporting their products.
The Pittsfield Export Forum on Tuesday, Jan. 29, will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza will feature two panel talks, followed by a luncheon with the congressman.
The forum sessions are free and open to all area businesses.
Neal will join the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce for a luncheon following the forum at the Crowne Plaza at noon in the ballroom; the cost is $35. Register for the luncheon here.
Neal will address the current fiscal situation, tax reform, exports, the recent AMT fix and energy independence.
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network is encouraging those who currently export and those who are considering exporting to attend the event.
The panels will include business exporters from Western Massachusetts who will share their success stories. The forum also will feature an overview of a broad range of programs available to help companies with their international business efforts, including the opportunity of grant money available to small businesses to export. Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with government officials and local businesses to answer specific export questions.
Agenda
Welcome Remarks - Congressman Richard E. Neal
Panel One
Tom Gradel, Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment
Paula Murphy and Ann Pieroway, Massachusetts Export Center
John Joyce, Small Business Administration
Melissa Branzburg, U.S. Department of Commerce
Keith Girouard, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network
Panel Two
Mike Supranowicz, President & CEO, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce – Moderator
Mike Tweed-Kent, Vice President & General Manager, General Dynamics
Virginia DuBois, Inside Sales Manager, Interprint
Josh Levine, President, LympheDIVAs
Lyn Biasin, Supply Chain Manager, Onyx
Michael Hopsicker, President & CEO, Ray Murray, Inc.
Sponsors are Neal, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network's Mass Export Center, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, CONECT, Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment and the Small Business Administration.
The Parlor Cafe Opens in North Adams
By John Durkan On: 04:49AM / Saturday December 22, 2012
Jason Morin and Elizabeth Osimo pose at the bar of their recently opened shop, The Parlor Cafe, located on 303 Ashland St.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Last year a popular coffee and tea shop, The Elf Parlor, closed its doors for good.
But on Wednesday, a new coffee and tea shop, The Parlor Cafe, opened in its place.
"It's a love story," owner Jason Morin said. "I can't name anybody that wasn't heartbroken when it was closed."
Morin opened the shop with Elizabeth Osimo after spending about two months renovating the Ashland Street building. Morin has business experience running his own website-building service, BerkSites, while Osimo previously worked as a barista and bakes the goods.
The Parlor Cafe uses Dean's Beans, which is roasted in Orange and uses certified fair trade, organic and kosher beans, for its coffee. A 10-ounce to-go cup or a house mug costs $1.67 and a 16-ounce to-go cup costs $2.04.
An array of Ann Arbor tea flavors are also available — $1.75 for a 10-ounce to-go cup or house mug, $2 for a 16-ounce cup or $2.50 $3.20 for "Tea for Two," served in a 24-ounce teapot.
For food, a variety of baked goods, fudge, Sunshine Bagels, salads and sandwiches are available. Specialty sandwiches range in price from about $3.50 to $7.75.
Morin said he hopes to have a liquor license in the spring, once all the needed paperwork and application process is completed.
The Parlor Cafe will offer late-night entertainment. Friday will be open mic night and Morin plans to host more structured shows on Saturday. Morin is also open to having smaller, local private functions at the shop on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Morin and Osimo are welcoming more ideas; at the bar, a chalkboard is displayed with the message "Tell us what you'd like so we can be your cafe!"
The Parlor Cafe, located on 303 Ashland St., is open Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more info, check out The Parlor Café Facebook page or website. The drink and food menus can be found here and here, respectively.
