Gt. Barrington – On Saturday, May 1st, the Berkshire Slipcover Outlet moves from Prime Outlets at Lee to Barrington Plaza in the space formerly occupied by the linen store, Open House. Coincidentally, the Berkshire Slipcover Outlet will also carry a variety of linens and home furnishings including slipcovers, decorative pillows, sheets, futon covers, chair pads and rugs.
Owner, Liana Toscanini, says the new store is 2000 square feet and will feature more displays, more product lines, and increased staff. After making a profit in her first year of business, Toscanini is taking a calculated risk that moving to tourist mecca, Great Barrington, and doubling the size of the store will reap similar rewards within the next 12 months.
“I love the concept of the ‘community mall,’ says Toscanini, referring to Barrington Plaza, home of Kmart, Price Chopper and The Bookloft. “My local and regional customers are thrilled we’re moving to such a convenient place.â€
A showcase for Sure Fit brand slipcovers, the store carries a full line of discounted, readymade covers for chairs, loveseats, sofas, dining chairs, folding chairs and ottomans as well as hard-to-find catalog items including slipcovers for wingback furniture, recliners, and chair ½’s. New this season are covers for sectional furniture.
Toscanini also plans to introduce some custom work. “There is a need for smaller chair covers,†says Toscanini, who is responding by partnering with designer and seamstress, Jane Hason, to make “semi-custom†slipcovers for petite chairs. Customers will provide a few basic measurements and bring their seat cushion in to be custom-covered. This two-piece cover would look more like custom-made slipcovers but wouldn’t be quite as fitted says Toscanini.
The Berkshire Slipcover Outlet is unique in the U.S. and may serve as a prototype for a future franchise operation. Toscanini , a resident of Sandisfield, was a Vice President at Sure Fit, the country’s largest slipcover manufacturer, for ten years prior to starting her retail venture. The store is open 7 days a week.
For more information, call (413) 528-9737 or visit www.berkshireslipcoveroutlet.com .
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North Adams Selected for $2.5M Pilot 'Creative District' Program
Staff reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A $2.5 million grant for a "creative district" pilot is being seen as a way to leverage past studies and business and arts leaders' input to strengthen the revitalization of the downtown.
The three-year grant is from the Barr Foundation, a Boston-based philanthropic organization that aids communities in unlocking potential for creativity, growth and equity. The foundation partners with the Mass Development and has supported its Transformative Development Initiative program.
"We are just so excited about the opportunity to be part of the creative initiative," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey on Thursday. "Not being designated a gateway community, we thought that was going to hinder us, but Mass Development really came and circled around us.
"We've assembled a great team, and I'm very excited about the work that is going to be done."
This is a new economic development program, and will be used by North Adams to leverage arts and culture as drivers of equitable growth while supporting small businesses and creative entrepreneurs, and positioning the Northern Berkshires for future public and private investment.
"I think this is really going to launch our economic development model — develop it, plan it, and also, again, reach out to the business community, the art community, the municipal community, the residents, and get us all working together to grow North Adams," Macksey said.
One of the first things for the city will be to hire a creative district fellow to work alongside local partners and coordinate program implementation, strengthen collaboration across the district, and advance catalytic projects.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
