Storey Communications, Storey Management and Workman Publishing announce agreement on buy of Storey

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John and Martha Storey announced today that they have signed a letter of intent to sell the majority interest in Storey Publishing to Workman Publishing Company of New York. Minority shareholders will be the current Storey management team of Pam Art, Dan Reynolds, and Janet Harris. The transaction is scheduled to be concluded at the end of June. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Storey Publishing will continue to operate from its present location at MASS MoCA campus in North Adams. John and Martha Storey will retain the direct-to-consumer division of the company, including The Gardeners’ Marketplace. Commenting on the agreement, founder John Storey said: “Workman Publishing’s values and approach to its business represent a perfect fit for Storey. As we’ve planned for the future, three things have been paramount to Martha and me: continuing the independent spirit of Storey Publishing; keeping our management and employee team intact; and staying in North Adams. This agreement allows all of those goals to be fulfilled. We look forward to a great new era of growth for Storey Publishing under this arrangement.” “It is very gratifying for us to be able to team up with Storey management to maintain its values and editorial program,” said Peter Workman, founder and president of Workman Publishing. “John and Martha have built Storey over the past 19 years to the pre-eminent publisher of books for country living. We have had a wonderfully productive and rewarding relationship with Storey, its people, and its books through our distribution agreement over the past year and a half. This acquisition allows us an even greater opportunity to help Storey grow and prosper.” Pam Art, president of Storey Communications, commented, “As someone who has been with Storey since the beginning in 1983, I’m proud to be able to work with our very talented staff and our new Workman partnership to build on what we all consider a truly wonderful and award-winning publishing program.” Joe Thompson, director of MASS MoCA, said, “We’re so pleased that John and Martha were able to complete this milestone transaction in a manner that ensured the continued presence of their employees on the MASS MoCA campus. We enjoy their business tenancy, and have become friends with the coworkers of Storey; we’re delighted they’ll be with us in the future. Workman is a first-rate publishing house, and we welcome them.” Workman Publishing, founded in 1968, is an independent publisher of adult trade and juvenile books, as well as Page-a Day® Calendars. Among its best-known titles are What to Expect When You’re Expecting; The Silver Palate cookbooks; and Brain Quest ®. Since 1999 Workman has been the exclusive distributor of Storey books. Storey Communications Inc. was founded by John and Martha Storey in 1983 in Pownal, Vt. The company had operations in both Pownal and Williamstown for many years before moving to MASS MoCA in fall of 2000. Storey has published 565 titles covering such topics as gardening, natural health, horsemanship, crafts, and cooking.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

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