Shima Relocates From Main to Eagle Street

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Shima may have moved to a smaller location in downtown North Adams, but its owners still look for the store be a cornerstone in the community.

Owners Suzy Helme and Libbie Pike originally called Main Street home - in two different locations over the last sis years - for their baby boutique store that specializes in unique and natural alternatives for baby gear. This week, the store moved to Eagle Street to a smaller, more manageable location.

“We needed a new spot,” Helme said. “Largely the other spot was a good location, but it was a very large space and for the money we just couldn’t afford the rent for a space that we couldn’t completely utilize.”

Pike said that the North Adams community is incredibly important to them, and the move was an obvious decision.

“We learned that this place became available, and it was either move or close,” Pike said. “We chose to move; we love this community and want to be a part of it.”

Helme said that although the space will change many of the in-store activities Shima offered to new and soon-to-be parents, they will work to continue to be a useful tool for families in the community.

“We won’t be able to offer in-store playgroups, but we are going to work with some of our favorite local nonprofits to ensure the continuation of things like our birth circle,” Helme said.

Helme said that they are happy to be on Eagle Street and think it is an exciting place to do business.

“We love this community, so we are invested in it, and we just got here on this side of the street, but hopefully there will be a lot of good things,” she said.  “There are a lot of good things happening to the other buildings on Eagle Street so hopefully we can build a nice little community here.”

The new location is directly connected to Persnickety Toys, and Helme and Pike see this as a plus.

“We think being next to the most popular toy store in our community and in the Berkshires is probably a very good thing,” Helme said.

Helme said the move was quick and enjoyable

“It was pretty good. Libbie and I actually enjoy manual labor so we had a very good time moving,” Helme said. “We packed on Monday, moved the big stuff on Tuesday, set it up on Wednesday, and we were open by Thursday.”

Helme and Pike said they were optimistic about the future of their store.

“It’s been good so far and people seem to know where we are we are,” Helme said. “We are looking forward to a lot of good years here.”

“The possibilities are endless,” Pike said.

DiLego Jewelry to Close After Over 90 Years in Business

By Daniel MatziBerkshires correspondent
05:28AM / Tuesday, May 07, 2024

Sisters Pamela Costine, left, and Cynthia Lamore have been operating the store since their aunts retired in 1987. Both started working in the business as teens.  Lamore's decided it's time to retire. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — DiLego Jewelery Store, the family-owned business that has been a staple of North Adams for nearly a century, will be closing this summer. 

 

The closure was announced on the store's Facebook page late Sunday night, where it immediately drew comments of remembrance and well-wishing.

 

Cindy Lamore, whose great uncle Frank DiLego opened the store on Main Street in the late 1930s, said the shop will cease operations following her retirement, slated for June 30. A 20 percent off Mother's Day sale will begin immediately, with increasing discounts leading up to the closing date.

 

It took Lamore "a couple of years" to reach the decision to close. Witnessing the passing of lifelong friends or their struggles with debilitating illness prompted her to reconsider her priorities, especially considering the extensive time devoted to running a small business. 

 

"You really question what you're waiting for," she reflected.

 

While recognizing that changing consumer habits have led to a decrease in jewelry and watch sales in recent years, Lamore stressed that her decision to close was a personal one. She and her business partner and sister, Pamela Costine, wanted "to do it on our terms," she said.

 

Comments on Facebook praised the store's customer service, and friends, family, and customers alike reminisced about buying jewelry for special occasions, stopping in for watch repairs, and the perennial rite of childhood for many: getting ears pierced.