Clarksburg Bakery struggling to survive

By Linda CarmanPrint Story | Email Story
WILLIAMSTOWN — Clarksburg Bakery, whose artisanal breads have been the staff of enjoyment as well as life for 25 years on Spring Street, is threatened with closing, its latest owner, Heather Morris confirmed yesterday. Morris, whose lease with landlord David Carver of Scarafoni Realtors expired six months ago, said she owes Carver $5,852.62 in back rent, and, she said, he has not raised her rent from $1,500 to the $2,000 he told her he wants with a new lease. Morse, who is operating without a lease on a month-to-month basis, said she cannot apply for refinancing without a lease. “I don’t have the money to relocate,” Morris said yesterday. “That’s not an option right now….I have very good memories. We did a very good job,” she said. Sources familiar with the situation said Carver already has a tenant lined up to replace the store. Efforts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful. Morris acknowledged that her total accounts payable are roughly $31,000, including debts to various food vendors. The cost of moving would be steep, as Morris installed a traditional Italian oven for baking the artisanal breads that have been her specialty during her three year’s as the bakery’s owner. The hearty and rustic loaves, baked in traditional fashion, have turned aficionados into the bread equivalent of xenophiles. Patrons have eagerly awaited, then savored, baguettes, ciabatta, olive bread, as well as oatmeal, wheat, walnut, white and rye – the bakery’s daily bread – and in regular rotation, anadama, rosemary, sesame cheddar, challah and brioche. In the display case, one could choose among sticky buns, almond brioche, rustic apple tarts, chocolate flourless cake, brownies, angelfood cake, cinnamon sticks, lemon bars, and cookies – sugar, wilderness fantasies, molasses and peanut butter. For Valentine’s Day, choices include shortbread hearts and chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing, topped by pink frosting hearts. Clarksburg also offers lunch items, specialty sandwiches and soups. Yesterday’s soup was “People’s Pinto.” The bread is sold at various local stores, including Wild Oats Community Market. Yesterday, some local patrons reacted with dismay to the prospect of the bakery’s closing. “It’s one of the places I like to come,” said John Filipczak. “It’s one of the places that make Williamstown civilized.” “It really is the most artisanal bakery around,” said Douglas Paisley, the Williamstown artist who painted the murals on opposite walls, one of a wheat harvest, the other of bread baking. On the wall behind the case and the bread rack is painted “Boulangerie” – French for bakery. Small, marble-topped round tables are scattered around the room, surrounded by graceful painted chairs. Filipczak said he hopes people may respond – with their checkbooks – when they learn that the bakery is threatened with closing. He also said people might rally ’round and hold a benefit, if local musicians and artists would donate their creative efforts. In her business plan, Morris wrote that “business has been consistently strong and is only gaining viability as we make steady improvements to the menu and staff structure, and our reputation around the area grows. Unfortunately, the repercussions of a bad partnership, which was resolved two years ago, have set the finances of the bakery back to the point where there is a cash flow problem.” She said she would actively entertain the idea of a business partnership that would allow her to concentrate on her forte, creative baking. Also in her business plan, she wrote that galleries and ethnic restaurants on Spring Street have created a mix that draws potential customers. “Our storefront serves the people of Williamstown with a staple food, but more so, it gives the community a central meeting place and the sense of a warm hearth at its center,” she wrote. Customers have ranged from children opting for peanut butter cookies, Williams College faculty, staff and students picking up lunch, townspeople buying bread and those planning a celebration ordering special cakes. According to Morris’ financial statement, the business turned a profit, albeit a modest one, of $21,420 last year, with total income of $332,152 and expenses of $99,722 and payroll of $123,566. Anyone with ideas for financial help may contact Morris at 802-823-0263.
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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