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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Regional Trail Coordinator Barnes Retires After Four Decades With DCR

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires.com Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Department of Conservation and Recreation celebrated the retirement of Trails Supervisor Rebecca Barnes after four decades of service.
 
Friends and colleagues gathered in the Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center and park offices on Wednesday to celebrate Barnes.
 
She began working at Mount Greylock State Reservation while in high school as a seasonal conservation helper, saying she fell in love with the place.
 
"Fell in love with Mount Greylock, and ever since I've been doing different jobs and different positions," said the Hoosac Valley graduate. "But I came full circle back to Mount Greylock at the end of the career, and I've been taking care of the forest and parks for 40 years now, and loving it, the trails, the campgrounds, the summit, the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail."
 
Priscilla Geigis, deputy commissioner for conservation and resource stewardship, wrote a song the group sang for Barnes, who she said has inspired her during the more than 20 years they've worked together. 
 
"Becky is so enthusiastic. She's so kind. She's funny. She's creative. She's really passionate and she's really dedicated. And I will miss all of those qualities," said Geigis. "She really knows how to balance conservation and recreation. She is so committed to connecting people to our incredible resources, not just here at her beloved Greylock, but also throughout the state to really make that connection and to pass on that idea that everyone has a role to play in stewardship. 
 
"And you can see that time and again with all of her work in mentoring our staff, in mentoring young people who are just starting out, mentoring volunteers, just really making that connection. And so she's a really hard worker. She she will do anything."
 
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