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Randy Cormier reopened Bohemian Road last month after moving to Eagle Street.
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Bohemian Road Opens on Historic Eagle Street

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The path for Bohemian Road pointed north as the gift and novelty traveled from Adams to the city's downtown Eagle Street last month. 
 
"I live in Adams and I love the town ... It is a beautiful town but my girlfriend and I would come to North Adams and go to Mass MoCA and eat at different restaurants and we noticed there were always a ton of people walking around," owner Randy Cormier said of his decision move from Park Street. "That is not the case in Adams and this was just a business decision."
 
Cormier, who used to operate Brighter Daze at the Berkshire Mall, said his new location is just about the same size as his Park Street store but the ceilings are higher so he can hold more product.
 
Brighter Daze was closed in 2006, a couple years after he purchased the Depot in his hometown of Dalton. After selling the Depot, the singer-songwriter had concentrated on his music and run a landscaping business with his brother.
 
He describes his items as "hippy/bohemian," a mix of colorful "world" clothing and items.
 
"Clothing and gifts from around the world ... we do a lot of women's clothing. Whatever is in season," he said. "Crystals are big, tapestries, incense, and a lot of gifty stuff."
 
The store has a media section and Cormier, a musician, has a large selection of used CDs and vinyl.
 
Cormier said he also sells CBD oil, or cannabidiol, a non-pyschoactive compound from cannabis plants that's become popular as a natural remedy.
 
"We started selling it in Adams because it is such a health and wellness thing ... We sell a lot of it and I stand behind it," he said. "We don't carry anything that isn't federally legal to sell and we are not a dispensary. We are mindful — even though I don't have to I don't sell to anyone under 21."
 
Cormier is excited to be next to Bird Song Gallery and said there is a natural synergy between the two stores.
 
"We carry some of the same stuff but nothing is exactly the same," he said. "When there are more stores like you in an area that is packed full like Eagle it's better. People stop there and then come over here. You have to be cool with your neighbors.
 
"The more business the better."
 
Cormier urged passers-by to stop in his shop and said he likes to really get to know his customers.
 
"We have a great knowledge of our products and for 20-something years we have always taken care of our customers," he said. "If I have returning customers who come in and always buy multiple records they are going to get a discount."
 
Bohemian Road is located at 48 Eagle St. and is currently open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 to 4. Contact information: 413-841-0616. 

Tags: new business,   Eagle Street,   gift shop,   

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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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