Bennington Pottery opens in Lenox

By Kate AbbottPrint Story | Email Story
LENOX — Bennington Pottery opened its first Massachusetts outlet store at The Cottage clothing and gifts, 439 Lenox-Pittsfield Road, with a tent sale in late September. The Cottage will hold another Bennington Pottery tent sale on Columbus Day weekend, and all pottery will sell for 50 percent off the retail prices, according to Lora Kozlowski, who manages the Lenox and Pittsfield Cottage stores. Her mother, Bobbie Dus, owns both stores. The Cottage in Lenox is now carrying the full line of Bennington pottery, from bean pots to bread pans, according to Kozlowski. It chiefly carries “seconds,” at a 25 percent discount, she said, adding that she can order pottery for anyone looking for a particular pattern or piece. The Pittsfield store on South Street will shortly begin carrying “first quality” Bennington Pottery at full price, Kozlowski said, but it is not large enough to serve as an outlet store. Bennington Pottery has been producing pottery in Bennington, Vt., for 55 years. The company makes all its pottery in a distinctive mottled pattern, all from Sheffield clay. Kozlowski said she went on a factory tour of and watched as many as 15 potters at work at one time. Six months ago, the pottery opened its first outlet store, in Rutland, Vt. The Cottage has been in South County for 27 years at the older Pittsfield location, Kozlowski said. Her mother has owned the Pittsfield store for five years and the Lenox store for two. Besides pottery, Lenox shop carries women’s and infants’ clothing, stationery, candles, handbags and other gifts. It also serves as an outlet for Catherine’s Chocolates in Great Barrington, Kozlowski said. She cannot carry the full line of chocolates, but she can order any of those she does not have on hand, she said.
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Dalton Fire District Voters OK 'Surprise' Building Purchase

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

An image of 30-32 Flansburgh from the town's assessor data. 
DALTON, Mass. — For several years, the district has been working with limited space, and a vote at the annual meeting is expected to help ease those constraints.
 
During the meeting on Tuesday at the Stationary Factory, 48 voters approved 24 of the 25 articles on the warrant, including the purchase of 30-32 Flansburgh Ave., directly next to the current station. 
 
If the property passes the home inspection, the district would purchase the multi-family home from its current owner Richard Olsted for $350,000. 
 
The property is a two-family duplex built in 1920 with more than 6,000 square feet on a fifth of an acre. Its assessed value according to information in the town's database is $305,200. It's estimated on Zillow at $312,500, with a potential high of $350,000.
 
As part of the agreement for the purchase cost, the district agreed to allow Olsted to reside in one of the building's units for as long as he chooses, with the understanding that he will be responsible for utilities and will not be required to pay rent.
 
The foreseeable purpose of the other units will be to create proper housing for emergency services personnel. 
 
The department currently has three makeshift bedrooms in the fire station that were described as not well suited for a regular ambulance service.
 
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