New Independent Bookstore opens in downtown Pittsfield.

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD - Pittsfield now has its own downtown bookstore. Chapters Bookstore, Inc., a new independently owned bookstore under the management of Aimee McLear, and Kelly Wright will be opening for the first time on Thursday, July 17, 2008 for the Downtown Inc. sponsored 3rd Thursday event. Both Aimee and Kelly have extensive bookselling and management experience. This is their first independent enterprise together.

For 3rd Thursday, Chapters Bookstore will offer story time starting at 5:30 p.m., face painting and DJ Chuck Wright spinning summertime tunes. Selected beach reads will be featured at 10% off.

The newly renovated store, located at 78 North Street in Pittsfield, will feature a 2000 square foot selling space as well as a 600 square foot event space. Chapters Bookstore will feature new books and magazines as well as book related items, and they will also offer research and special order services. The event space will host author events and community events, and feature the photography and art of local artists.

“We are passionate about books and literacy, and hope to provide Berkshire County residents a unique atmosphere and personal service that exceeds their expectations,” says Chapters President Aimee McLear.

For More Information: Chaptersinc@yahoo.com
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Habitat for Humanity Selling Pittsfield Condos for $1,700/Month

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The homes are being offered as condominiums with a homeowners association fee. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is selling two homes to income-eligible families who can afford about $1,700 per month. 

On Friday, an open house was held for the newly built condominiums at 21 and 23 Murphy Place, and another will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 to noon. The each of the homes offers three bedrooms and one bathroom over 1,200 square feet.

Homebuyers services representative Chris LaPatin reported that there have been "quite a few" applications that are being reviewed.

The condos will be sold to families earning between 50 percent and 65 percent of the area median income, which ranges between $49,150 and $63,895 for a family of two and $66,350 and $86,255 for a family of five. A monthly payment of $1,673 will cover the principal and interest, property taxes, and home insurance. There's a monthly HOA fee on top of that. 

Murphy Place is a dead-end street off Upper North Street, and the homes have yard space, parking, laundry, and a crawl space for storage. The washer and dryer are Whirlpool Energy Star, and the homes have energy-saving mini-split heat pumps for cooling and heating.

LaPatin pointed out that one way Habitat connects people to homeownership is through partnership hours. This program provides $2,000 toward a home purchase and an affordable mortgage from a third-party lender for completing financial and homeownership training and build site hours.

For one person, 275 hours are required, and 425 for a couple.  Friends and family can help with partnership hours, according to Habitat's website

Current income eligibility for families earning between 50 percent and 65 percent of the AMI: 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories