BJ's Wholesale Club Coming to Pittsfield

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
01:20PM / Friday, October 30, 2009Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Braintree developer has announced plans to construct a BJ's Wholesale Club on Hubbard Avenue. It would be the first BJ's in Berkshire County.

Robert MacPherson, president of Cape Breton Corp., said Friday morning that his company would develop the BJ's. Cape Breton will begin the formal permitting process in the next couple of months with the goal of breaking ground in 2010.

Deana Ruffer, the city's community development director, said the city's known for some time that BJ's had been considering a location in Pittsfield. Cape Breton was focusing on the large parcel behind Stop & Shop Supermarket owned by J.W. Kelly Enterprises Inc.

"We were aware they were in negotiation with the Kellys," she said, but Cape Breton was also looking at site provisions and get approvals through BJ's internal processes. "I was thrilled that they were comfortable enough in their plans to make a public announcement this morning."

Cape Breton Corp. specializes in site acquisition and local permitting of retail buildings and shopping centers. This new development will bring 120 new jobs to the city, according to a press release from City Hall.

"We are thrilled that during these challenging times, BJ's has confidence in Pittsfield's future. The citizens of Pittsfield as well as all of Berkshire County will benefit from having another shopping choice," said Mayor James Ruberto in the press release. "I also want to thank the city's economic development team for the work they have done to bring this new investment to Pittsfield."

Headquartered in Natick, BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the East. The company, now in its 25th year, currently employees more than 20,000 team members and operates 180 clubs in 15 states from Maine to Florida.

The closest BJ's clubs to Berkshire County are in Greenfield, Springfield and Albany, N.Y. Rumors have swirled for years that Walmart was seeking to build a Sam's Club in either Pittsfield or North Adams but the plans haven't materialized; there'd also been some talk about a BJ's in North Adams.

Ruffer said her office is working with the company to take advantage of the city's streamlined permitting process. The Office of Community Development has provided information for developers working with brand-name retailers, she said.

"It's very gratifying to me that the behind-the-scenes work with developers can result with a win for Pittsfield and new jobs."

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Awesome!!!
from: cs pitts	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (1)

I hope they pay more than Walmart, maybe even offer health insurance... Dream on.
from: Need a Job	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (1)

YEAH!!!!!!!!!
from: EAM	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

This is sooo awesome!!!!!!!
from: Heather	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (0)

looks like pittsfield landed this business because it's doing everything North Adams is not doing--using its Office of Community Development to streamline approval processes for businesses. maybe a new mayor will be smarter about business.
from: disappointed in north adams	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

So long Wohrle's Cash & Carry, it was nice knowing you! We'll see where loyality to quality, local service takes you after BJ's is built.
from: Pittsfieldtude	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

We love BJ's. I think they will do well here. Maybe give the other markets more competition to lower their prices. I hope its true!
from: Maureen	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

On the produce side, Wohrle's has little to worry bout. This is great news, BJ's is a quality operation. Too bad they can't make use of some large, vacant building, the traffic won't be a welcome addition to the Hubbard Ave. area. But net-net, a good deal for the people of Pittsfield.
from: Ed Bride	on: 10-31-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

I can't wait! This is so exciting...more jobs and great deals AND I don't have to drive an hour!
from: Meg	on: 11-01-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

I agree, so long Wohrle's Cash and Carry & Specialty too! Maybe that so called "queen" who runs those places will get a new attitude and stop taking advatnage of her customers and employees. New competition to deal with, how will they do it? I doubt they can....welcome to the real world sweetheart! Hooorrayyy for BJ's! It's about time!
from:	on: 11-02-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (1)

Behind Stop and Shop on Merril Road or is it Price Chopper on Hubbard Ave? The BJ isn't in Springfield it's in Chicopee. Editor: The Hubbard/Merrill thing is confusing, but I was told its part of a large 44-acre plot behind Stop & Shop that has a Hubbard address. Yes, you're right. BJ's is in Chicopee. I've been there and should have been more precise.
from: Milo	on: 11-02-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I am so excited about BJ's coming to Pittsfield!!!Thank u, Thank u
from: Marian	on: 11-02-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

That sounds Great!!! But we need something bad in the great barrington/Sheffield Area. We have nothing here and have to travel to get to anything.
from: Sheffield	on: 11-04-2009 12:00AM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)

It all sounds great but there's a BJ's in Greenfield and one in Albany....Boy.... Costco would have been my choice. It also would have attracted shoppers from Albany and everywhere else!!!
from: F.G	on: 11-04-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Cosco, BJ's does it really matter? We are finally getting a great store in this area. Something to look forward to. It's a start.
from: Hanna	on: 11-06-2009 12:00AM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)

are they going to have a BJ's gas station?
from: nadams	on: 11-06-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

Where does one apply to work there before the store opens? Bev
from: Hireing	on: 04-19-2011 07:25PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

please tell me when you OPEN thank you
from: patti	on: 08-01-2011 05:58PM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: Patti, I took out your email address because I'm not sure you want it on a public forum and I don't think BJ's is going to email you.
I Agree (0) - I Disagree (1)

Pittsfield Proposes 2.64 Tax Rate Hike

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:34PM / Tuesday, November 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2027 is less than 40 cents per $1,000 valuation for residential properties and would increase the average property tax bill by about $146 per year.

On Tuesday's City Council meeting agenda is a request from the mayor and Board of Assessors to use a residential factor of .8245 at a shift of 1.75, resulting in a residential tax rate of $17.88 and a commercial, industrial, and personal property tax rate of $37.95.

These matters are typically referred to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation. The proposed rates for residential and commercial are 38 cents and $1.05 more, respectively, from FY26.

The average residential home, valued at $316,792 in FY27, has increased by about $1,500 from the previous fiscal year, and would pay $5,664.24 in yearly taxes.

This is a 2.64 percent, or $145.88, increase.

The average commercial property worth $239,600 saw a $100 increase in value from the previous fiscal year, and would pay $9,092.82 in yearly taxes. This is a $255.27, or 2.89 percent, increase from the previous fiscal year.

The FY27 tax levy of $124,468,317 is a $5.3 million increase from the previous year, or 4.45 percent. There is about $388,000 in excess levy capacity, $2.3 million in new growth, and the levy limit is $124,856,412.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 11 single-family homes were added to Pittsfield's housing stock this fiscal year, increasing the city's total assessed value by $19,987,600 to $3,592,737,600.

The city lost five two-family homes in 2027, and that housing type decreased by $3.2 million in assessed value, now worth $384,620,400.

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