image description — The building's first artwork, created by local artist Ricky Darell Barton, is displayed in the lobby of 21 Park St. and is part of the building's 'Maus-ART' program.

Adams' Mausert Block Filling Space with Local Art

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
05:21AM / Monday, August 29, 2022Print Story | Email Story

Artist Benne Perkins restored the original stained-glass windows in the entrance archway.

ADAMS, Mass. — Nearly 30 people gathered outside of the Mausert Block apartments on Thursday, as the owners unveiled the first of more than 30 commissioned local art pieces to be displayed in the building.

Mausert Block owners Holly and Stephen Stenson said the artworks, as part of the building's "Maus-ART" program, will be on display once the project is complete. The work, done with help from the Adams Arts Advisory Board, will be put in the building's common spaces for residents to see.

"We have 31 pieces of art, and this is one," Stephen Stenson said. "So we have 30 to go."

The first artwork, created by local artist Ricky Darell Barton, is displayed in the lobby of 21 Park St. and is from a series of works called "Robot Paintings."

"By weaving these elements together as I feel them, and thus through luck and chance, images actually create themselves in the painting," Barton says on a plaque, posted next to the piece. "This is why I call them 'Robot Paintings'; even robotic faces, along with many other things, appear long after the works are completed."

The artist moved from Washington, D.C., to the Berkshires a few years ago. His work has also been displayed at Real Eyes Gallery.

In addition to the first artwork displayed, artist Benne Perkins restored the original stained-glass windows in the entrance archway. Only one window remained when the Stenson's purchased the property.

"He took that, and he made us four brand-new ones that are as close as possible to the original," Holly Stenson said.

The 1901 building has served several purposes in town throughout its history, and may be best-known as the location of an F.W. Woolworth five-and-dime store for more than 60 years. The Stensons have been working on restoring the property since they purchased it in 2011.

The 10-apartment building, when finished, will also house retail and restaurant space on the ground floor. Earlier this year, the building received two awards from Preservation Massachusetts.

Mausert Block is one of several structures on Park Street, including Miss Adams Diner, Adams Theater and the Firehouse Cafe, that has reopened or seen renovation this year. William Kolis, the owner of the Firehouse Cafe, said he is excited to see these businesses revitalized in Adams.

"It's taken a long time, but now we've gotten it done. And it's going to be a tremendous edition, second only to getting the theater up and running," he said. "... There's been an incredible energy that's been brought here."

Tags: art exhibit, Mausert Block,

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Two T's Thrifting Moved to Park Street

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:07PM / Saturday, September 26, 2026

Owner Trisha Carlo said a persistent leak in her previous location forced her to close for 10 weeks.

ADAMS, Mass. — A local thrift store has settled into its new location on Park Street.

Two T's Thrifting was opened by Trisha Carlo in January. The name is a homage to her late partner, Tom Bradley, who died in 2022. She said they both loved thrifting together.

Carlo had opened at 64 Summer St. but in April had to close down for about 10 weeks because of a leak in the ceiling. Once the leak was thought to be fixed, she reopened only to have it happen again.

"I decided to vacate that area or location, and kind of put everything on hold for a little bit. I had moved everything out once it had started leaking, just because I didn't want anything to get moldy or ruined," she said. "And I was kind of a little discouraged when that happened, you know, because rent is so high in most places, and I was pretty established over there. I had repeat customers coming in. It was going really well. So then I didn't know what to do."

Then one day she was enjoying breakfast at the Daily Grind when the owner, Becky Duprat, said she should talk to Lea King, who had owned the Adams Boba Tea and Gift Shop but had decided to retire earlier this year.

"Leah is pro Adams, pro bringing businesses to the area, and she just wants everybody to do well with whatever they want to do business wise," Carlo said. "I did take over some of her inventory for her Adams merchandise. I figured I would keep that here for tourists or for the locals."

She was able reopen her shop in its new location in July.

"It's been fun, setting back up and getting to know a different crowd that's walking by," she said. "The foot traffic is a little better. Obviously, there's more traffic that passes by, but advertising is still a little bit of a challenge. But repeat customers have found us. I have people that come in on a Saturday that visit me every week."

Carlo has also been trying to support the community, including letting local students get community service hours at her store, giving donations to Remedy Hall in Williamstown and other places across the county, holding a school supply drive for local families, and is currently doing a 50/50 raffle for Brewsters, a thrift shop in North Adams that was wrecked by a pickup truck last month.

She is still an emergency medical technician in Pittsfield and coaches soccer and basketball for Hoosac Valley High School.

She does take donations for the store but only during business hours. You can contact her through the business Facebook page on what you would like to donate to see if she can take it or walk in. She is accepting taking winter clothing.

Her new space at 57 Park St. is open Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. She hopes to extend these hours in the future.

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