North Adams Cumberland Farms to Double in Size

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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The Cumberland Farms is the next store in the chain to get a makeover.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Cumberland Farms is planning to nearly double the size of its convenience store on the Mohawk Trail.

The New England chain plans to demolish its current 2,400 square foot store and an adjacent two-family home and garage and construct a new 4,738 square foot building.

"This Cumberland Farms location is extremely busy, located on a main thoroughfare and within walking distance to a densely populated residential area," according to the application for a permit filed with the city. "Anecdotal evidence suggests intersite circulation would benefit from expanded parking/access aisle areas, and a larger store with more fueling positions."

Cumberland would add a third fueling station but the tanks — 32,000 gallons for gasoline and 8,000 gallons for diesel — would not be replaced.

The proposed layout is similar to the new Cumberland Farms on Curran Highway that opened last month with a "New England gable" look.The company has been renovating its existing stores and building new to add more room for grocery selections, coffees and baked goods and premade foods such as pizza and sandwiches.

Officials indicated at the grand opening of the Curran Highway store that plans were being made to revamp the Mohawk Trail location if it could obtain the residence next door.


That property at 580 Union St. is owned by the estate of Dorothy L. Jackson.

The plans also include a traffic study by McMahon & Associates that concluded "the project is not expected to have a noticeable or detrimental impact on traffic operations along Union Street."

The plans will go before the Planning Board next Monday and the Zoning Board of Appeals on Nov. 17.

The Berkshire Eagle office is also moving from Main Street to a first-floor office at 26 Union St., the former Wall-Streeter mill.

The North Adams Transcript sold its building on American Legion Drive and moved into 85 Main St. in early 2013 but the paper folded into The Eagle last January. Since then, the newspaper has reduced staffing at the North Adams office and lease signs were put in its  window weeks ago.

Also coming before the Planning Board on Monday are applications for gymnastics center in the former church 1288 Massachusetts Ave. and a fitness center, Berkshire Kettle Bells, at 151 Eagle St.


Tags: convenience store,   newspaper,   Planning Board,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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