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BJ's Wholesale Club Coming to PittsfieldStaff Reports
iBerkshires
01:20PM / Friday, October 30, 2009
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." |
| are they going to have a BJ's gas station? | | from: nadams | on: 11-06-2009 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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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 |
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| I am so excited about BJ's coming to Pittsfield!!!Thank u, Thank u | | from: Marian | on: 11-02-2009 |
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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 |
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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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| This is sooo awesome!!!!!!! | | from: Heather | on: 10-30-2009 |
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| YEAH!!!!!!!!! | | from: EAM | on: 10-30-2009 |
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| I hope they pay more than Walmart, maybe even offer health insurance... Dream on. | | from: Need a Job | on: 10-30-2009 |
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| Awesome!!! | | from: cs pitts | on: 10-30-2009 |
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