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Bottomless Bricks in Adams is adapting to the coronavirus by bringing its LEGO fun right to customers' doors.

Bottomless Bricks Delivers LEGO Fun by the Bagful

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Erin Laundry fills bags up with LEGOs for delivery.
ADAMS, Mass. — Bottomless Bricks is delivering one-pound Creativity To Go Bags so kids can tap into their inner builder while stuck inside.
 
With a clamp-down on gatherings because of the COVID-19 outbreak, some businesses have simply closed their doors while others have found ways to adapt.
 
"I was trying to figure out what we were going to do because I could see the writing on the wall. I realized this could be disastrous for us," Bottomless Bricks owner Erin Laundry said. "I saw some of my restaurant friends offering takeout and delivery when they never did before, and I thought, we have so many bricks that are going untouched, so let's throw them in bags and bring them to people."
 
Laundry, who opened up her LEGO brick themed party and gathering space five months ago on Park Street, said she was equally inspired to offer bricks to homebound families to keep kids engaged.
 
"I am also a parent with a kid who is going to be home from school for a few weeks and I feel the collective fear as far as their education goes," she said. "Having activities to keep them engaged and off the TV all day is important."
 
She added that she also regularly updates her Pinterest board with educational LEGO activities for kids and families.
 
"It has a bunch of different uses for LEGOS," she said. "I want to share with people so they have more creative ideas."
 
Laundry said she primarily uses preowned bricks and cleanliness has always been important to Bottomless Bricks. She said the bricks are regularly brought home for a proper washing. She said all bricks in the Creativity To Go Bags have been freshly washed. 
 
The bags are filled random — she literally scoops a pound of LEGOs into a clear plastic bag with a minifigure pack for good measure. People can place an order on the Bottomless Bricks Facebook page or through their email at bottomlessbricks@gmail.com.
 
Laundry said so far the bags are a hit and she has deliveries scheduled through the week throughout the county.
 
"I keep getting more emails so fortunately, people are responding to this," she said.
 
A bag is $20, including tax, and she will deliver to Pittsfield, Adams, and surrounding communities.
 
Laundry said it is important for business to find creative ways to continue operating in some form during the coronavirus outbreak. 
 
"We are so new we don't have any reserves and if we go three months without income, we fold and we don't exist any more," she said. "This is really how can we adapt and survive so when times are normal again we can pick up where we left off and continue." 
 
A large part of the business is birthday parties and even here she found a way to innovate. Bottomless Bricks plan to deliver larger quantities to those who plan to hold a birthday celebration at home.  
 
Laundry said innovation and adaptability are only parts of the equation and people need to still find ways to support local stores.
 
"I just hope that everyone keeps supporting local business as much as possible," she said. "We are all trying to do this together." 

Tags: new business,   business changes,   

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Adams Review Library, COA and Education Budgets

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen reviewed the public services, Hoosac Valley Regional School District and McCann Technical School budgets on Tuesday. 
 
The workshop at the Adams Free Library was the third of four joint sessions to review the proposed $19 million fiscal 2025 budget. The first workshop covered general government, executive, finance and technology budgets; the second public works, community development and the Greylock Glen. 
 
The Council on Aging and library budgets have increases for wages, equipment, postage and software. The Memorial Day budget is level-funded at $1,450 for flags and for additional expenses the American Legion might have; it had been used to hire bagpipers who are no longer available. 
 
The COA's budget is up 6.76 percent at $241,166. This covers three full-time positions including the director and five regular per diem van drivers and three backup drivers. Savoy also contracts with the town at a cost of $10,000 a year based on the number of residents using its services. 
 
Director Sarah Fontaine said the governor's budget has increased the amount of funding through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs from $12 to $14 per resident age 60 or older. 
 
"So for Adams, based on the 2020 Census data, says we have 2,442 people 60 and older in town," she said. "So that translates to $34,188 from the state to help manage Council on Aging programs and services."
 
The COA hired a part-time meal site coordinator using the state funds because it was getting difficult to manage the weekday lunches for several dozen attendees, said Fontaine. "And then as we need program supplies or to pay for certain services, we tap into this grant."
 
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