BJ's Wholesale Club Coming to Pittsfield

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
01:20PM / Friday, October 30, 2009Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Braintree developer has announced plans to construct a BJ's Wholesale Club on Hubbard Avenue. It would be the first BJ's in Berkshire County.

Robert MacPherson, president of Cape Breton Corp., said Friday morning that his company would develop the BJ's. Cape Breton will begin the formal permitting process in the next couple of months with the goal of breaking ground in 2010.

Deana Ruffer, the city's community development director, said the city's known for some time that BJ's had been considering a location in Pittsfield. Cape Breton was focusing on the large parcel behind Stop & Shop Supermarket owned by J.W. Kelly Enterprises Inc.

"We were aware they were in negotiation with the Kellys," she said, but Cape Breton was also looking at site provisions and get approvals through BJ's internal processes. "I was thrilled that they were comfortable enough in their plans to make a public announcement this morning."

Cape Breton Corp. specializes in site acquisition and local permitting of retail buildings and shopping centers. This new development will bring 120 new jobs to the city, according to a press release from City Hall.

"We are thrilled that during these challenging times, BJ's has confidence in Pittsfield's future. The citizens of Pittsfield as well as all of Berkshire County will benefit from having another shopping choice," said Mayor James Ruberto in the press release. "I also want to thank the city's economic development team for the work they have done to bring this new investment to Pittsfield."

Headquartered in Natick, BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the East. The company, now in its 25th year, currently employees more than 20,000 team members and operates 180 clubs in 15 states from Maine to Florida.

The closest BJ's clubs to Berkshire County are in Greenfield, Springfield and Albany, N.Y. Rumors have swirled for years that Walmart was seeking to build a Sam's Club in either Pittsfield or North Adams but the plans haven't materialized; there'd also been some talk about a BJ's in North Adams.

Ruffer said her office is working with the company to take advantage of the city's streamlined permitting process. The Office of Community Development has provided information for developers working with brand-name retailers, she said.

"It's very gratifying to me that the behind-the-scenes work with developers can result with a win for Pittsfield and new jobs."

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Your Comments

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Awesome!!!
from: cs pitts	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (1)

I hope they pay more than Walmart, maybe even offer health insurance... Dream on.
from: Need a Job	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (1)

YEAH!!!!!!!!!
from: EAM	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

This is sooo awesome!!!!!!!
from: Heather	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (0)

looks like pittsfield landed this business because it's doing everything North Adams is not doing--using its Office of Community Development to streamline approval processes for businesses. maybe a new mayor will be smarter about business.
from: disappointed in north adams	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

So long Wohrle's Cash & Carry, it was nice knowing you! We'll see where loyality to quality, local service takes you after BJ's is built.
from: Pittsfieldtude	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

We love BJ's. I think they will do well here. Maybe give the other markets more competition to lower their prices. I hope its true!
from: Maureen	on: 10-30-2009 12:00AM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

On the produce side, Wohrle's has little to worry bout. This is great news, BJ's is a quality operation. Too bad they can't make use of some large, vacant building, the traffic won't be a welcome addition to the Hubbard Ave. area. But net-net, a good deal for the people of Pittsfield.
from: Ed Bride	on: 10-31-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

I can't wait! This is so exciting...more jobs and great deals AND I don't have to drive an hour!
from: Meg	on: 11-01-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

I agree, so long Wohrle's Cash and Carry & Specialty too! Maybe that so called "queen" who runs those places will get a new attitude and stop taking advatnage of her customers and employees. New competition to deal with, how will they do it? I doubt they can....welcome to the real world sweetheart! Hooorrayyy for BJ's! It's about time!
from:	on: 11-02-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (1)

Behind Stop and Shop on Merril Road or is it Price Chopper on Hubbard Ave? The BJ isn't in Springfield it's in Chicopee. Editor: The Hubbard/Merrill thing is confusing, but I was told its part of a large 44-acre plot behind Stop & Shop that has a Hubbard address. Yes, you're right. BJ's is in Chicopee. I've been there and should have been more precise.
from: Milo	on: 11-02-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I am so excited about BJ's coming to Pittsfield!!!Thank u, Thank u
from: Marian	on: 11-02-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

That sounds Great!!! But we need something bad in the great barrington/Sheffield Area. We have nothing here and have to travel to get to anything.
from: Sheffield	on: 11-04-2009 12:00AM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)

It all sounds great but there's a BJ's in Greenfield and one in Albany....Boy.... Costco would have been my choice. It also would have attracted shoppers from Albany and everywhere else!!!
from: F.G	on: 11-04-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Cosco, BJ's does it really matter? We are finally getting a great store in this area. Something to look forward to. It's a start.
from: Hanna	on: 11-06-2009 12:00AM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)

are they going to have a BJ's gas station?
from: nadams	on: 11-06-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

Where does one apply to work there before the store opens? Bev
from: Hireing	on: 04-19-2011 07:25PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

please tell me when you OPEN thank you
from: patti	on: 08-01-2011 05:58PM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: Patti, I took out your email address because I'm not sure you want it on a public forum and I don't think BJ's is going to email you.
I Agree (0) - I Disagree (1)

Pittsfield OKs Statement of Interest for Future PHS Repairs

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
11:14AM / Tuesday, April 21, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city will submit a statement of interest to the MSBA for repairs to Pittsfield High School.

In three consecutive days this week, the School Building Needs Commission, City Council, and School Committee authorized interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips to submit an SOI for repairs to the almost century-old building.

Mayor Peter Marchetti explained to councilors that they are asking to take a proactive approach to trying to get PHS into the queue for a future MSBA project.

"I think I don't need to share with all of you the condition of Pittsfield High School. I think you've probably all been in there and you know the condition of the high school," he said on Tuesday.

"So we're asking tonight for that first step to be taken, to put us in the queue. We are not asking for any funding request. We are not asking, 'Should we add on to the school? Should we take away from the school?' We are simply looking to get us into the queue, to get us into the eligibility phase, which will take about a year's time, and then hopefully get into the feasibility stage."

During a special meeting last Monday, the School Building Needs Commission unanimously voted to move forward with a statement of interest. The City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved submitting a PHS statement of interest, and that was followed by an affirmative vote from the School Committee on Wednesday.

Priority areas identified for an SOI to the MSBA Core Program will be for the replacement, renovation, or modernization of the heating system to increase energy conservation and decrease energy-related costs, and replacement or addition to obsolete buildings to provide a full range of programs consistent with state and local requirements.

This is what the school was found to be most eligible for. If invited into the program in December, a draft schedule places construction between 2031 and 2033.

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