Three Businesses to Open in Adams' Mausert Block

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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Two restaurants and a dance studio are set to open in the Mausert Block later this summer.

ADAMS, Mass. — Three businesses have been approved to open in the Mausert Block by the end of the summer.

Owners REDPM were granted a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals allowing two restaurants and a performance arts school in the newly renovated building. A pizza place, hibachi grill and the arts school is expected to open after finish work is completed.

"By the end of the summer or fall, we hope to have everything up and running," said Stephen Stenson of REDPM on Wednesday.

The real estate development and management company has been working on the former Woolworth's building since purchasing it last year. The 90-year-old building had been vacant for several years.

Stenson expects that after an appeal period, the developers can begin working on the interior, which includes "substantial finishings," electrical and some structural changes. The work will take between four and eight months and will include a REDPM office, the three businesses and initial work on the upstairs apartments.

"The first step is to get our office up and running," Stenson said.

The company hopes to build 11 apartments on the upper levels and Stenson said he expect those to go on the market in summer 2014.



The building permits are all in place but the company does still need final site plan approval, Stenson said, adding he was is confident that those will be approved.

The pizza place, 21 Park Pizza, is planned to be a gourmet shop that sells pizza by the slice. At night, the place will have music and board games to become a destination for the younger crowd. The space will have 30 to 40 seats.

At 23 Park St., the restaurant Adams Fusion will serve Chinese and Japanese fusion, including hibachi. It will offer both takeout and seating for 40 to 60. The eatery will be in the spot with the "cafe style" windows that fully open to Park Street and outdoor seating that faces the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, which will provide an additional 40 to 60 seats.

The performing arts school will be in the rear of 21 Park St. and provide about 30 classes per week with most of its students from the local area. That location will also open up to the rail trail.

"We're happy that we've got some local businesses in there," Stenson said, adding that the business owners are from the county and REDPM has been working closely with the town and Adams Community Bank. "Everything was done on the local level."


Tags: Mausert Block,   new business,   Park Street,   

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Adams Fire Plans to Keep Public Informed on Station

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ADAMS, Mass. — The Prudential Committee hopes to invite the public to see the fire station and explain its needs.

The Fire District is trying to address the deteriorating building and is moving forward with a needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects, a company that specializes in public safety design. The $8,000 for this was approved at the annual meeting earlier this year. 

The first order of the process is the space needs assessment. Fire Chief David Lennon and Water Superintendent John Barrett at the July 27 meeting discussed inviting the public to tour the building as they start the assessment.

In other news, the Fire Department hired a full-time firefighter and three on-call firefighters.

The board discussed new jackets for employees who are 65 and older to signify and distinguish them when at a scene. This is to prevent the Fire Department from running afoul of a state law mandating retirement of active firefighters at age 65. 

The district is also still mulling expanding the district townwide. It currently does not cover areas of the town that are not on the water system but the Fire Department responds to any fire and emergency calls within the town's borders. 

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