Wild Oats to buy Dox building, expand

By Linda CarmanPrint Story | Email Story
WILLIAMSTOWN — The Wild Oats Co-operative, a nonprofit, member-owned retail food store operating in Williamstown since 1982, has entered into an agreement with the Goldberg family to buy the former Dox Video building on Main Street. The store’s new quarters will effectively double its retail space and will permit expansions – including a deli, more meat and fish offerings and reference capability, according to General Manager David Fowle. “We are ecstatic,” said Fowle, who has been with the co-op since it opened. “I have had an eye on that building for over 10 years, and we even bid on it last fall when it first came on the market but lost the bid. Last month, the original high bidder pulled out, and we were in a position to act quickly and come to an agreement with the Goldbergs.” The purchase and sale agreement was signed Aug. 31. If contingencies are met, the closing on the purchase is slated for Oct. 31, Fowle said. Wild Oats could open at the new site by May 1, 2005. Its store in Colonial Plaza on Route 2 would then close. “It will approximately double our retail store, and we will obviously expand everything,” Fowle said. One of the contingencies of the sale is “buyer satisfaction” on the ongoing cleanup of a toxic waste issue stemming from the replacement of fuel tanks at the former Nicklein’s Service Station next door. Wild Oats would also need to obtain permits to build a loading dock, receiving room and offices on the back of the building and get successful financing for the project. The co-op is seeking interest-bearing member loans to help finance the renovation and outfitting of the new store, as well as to leverage commercial bank loans, which will be necessary to make the project a reality, Fowle said. “Our members have come through for each expansion we have undertaken over the last 22 years,” he said. “This is by far the largest, but given the co-op’s stellar growth and performance over the last number of years and the results of a comprehensive market study performed last summer, we have a high level of confidence in the success of this project.” At least initially, loans will be accepted only from member-owners who live in Massachusetts, in order to comply with Security Exchange Commission requirements and to simplify the process, according to the co-op. In addition to doubling retail space, the new store would significantly increase the amount of backroom and support space, which, according to Fowle, is quickly becoming a major problem. Former Adams resident and nationally prominent store designer P.J. Hoffman is expected to be hired to assist in the store layout and equipment sourcing, and the co-op is committed to working with local contractors and financial institutions for every aspect of the project, Fowle said. “Our commitment to the local community is one of the underlying principles of everything we do,” he said. While design of the new facility is only in its infant stages, the new store would likely include a “grab-and-go” deli, fresh meat and fish, a seating and reference area with Internet access for gatherings and food and nutrition research and vastly expanded offerings of local, organic, vegan, produce, and gourmet selections for which the co-op has become well known. The store now has just over 3,000 square feet in the Colonial Plaza. The new building will have 4,800 square feet on the main floor, another 4,800 square feet in the basement, intended for storage, and a 600-square-foot addition of a loading dock, receiving room and offices. Fowle described the former Dox building as “perfect” for the store’s needs. The building was opened in 1957 as a pharmacy by Arnold Goldberg, whose son Larry first operated it as a computer store, then a video rental shop. The 4 1/2-acre parcel includes 2 1/2 acres of wetlands. It also contains what Fowle termed 25 percent more parking than is required by zoning. A 21E study, an environmental report as part of property transfer, came up with no problems, he said. When Nicklein’s service station replaced its oil tanks, work extended onto the wetlands of the Dox property, however, Fowle said. “It has had remedial action, which was successful, and they are still doing it,” he said. Despite that minor potential snag, he said, “We’re gunning for May 1. That’s a pretty aggressive timetable, but that’s what we’re heading for.”
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Friends of Great Barrington Libraries Holiday Book Sale

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Friends of Great Barrington Libraries invite the community to shop their annual Holiday Good-as-New Book Sale, happening now through the end of the year at the Mason Library, 231 Main Street. 
 
With hundreds of curated gently used books to choose from—fiction, nonfiction, children's favorites, gift-quality selections, cookbooks, and more—it's the perfect local stop for holiday gifting.
 
This year's sale is an addition to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Stroll on this Saturday, Dec. 13, 3–8 PM. Visitors can swing by the Mason Library for early parking, browse the sale until 3:00 PM, then meet Pete the Cat on the front lawn before heading downtown for the Stroll's shopping, music, and festive eats.
 
Can't make the Holiday Stroll? The book sale is open during regular Mason Library hours throughout December.
 
Proceeds support free library programming and events for all ages.
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