image description — Carr Hardware just completed a massive expansion of the former Scarafoni Ford building.

Expanded North Adams Carr Hardware To Open Monday

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
05:10PM / Friday, January 27, 2012Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The new Carr Hardware will open its doors on Monday morning at 7:30 — a month earlier than expected — and a grand opening celebration is planned for April.

The hardware and paint supply store just completed an expansion by moving its business from State Street to the former Carbone Auto Sales on State Road. The new 10,000-square-foot building at least triple the size of the previous location and will feature 30,000 new items.

"It's a great location. We're thrilled about the location and the outside opportunity and the parking," said co-owner Bart Raser on Friday, describing the interior of the store as "super nice." "We're looking forward to having green goods and power equipment."

Raser said the new store is significantly bigger than the State Road location, which had only offered paint-related supplies and rentals. Carr took possession of the building on Jan. 3 and completed its transformation in less than 30 days.

The mild weather and help from employees and vendors made the quick turnaround possible, he said.

"We have been working 24/7 with 20 people and we're a month ahead," Raser said, adding that employees from other stores were called in to help out. "We have a great team. ... I can't say enough about our employees for getting us here ahead of schedule."

The store will expand from five employees to 20 and feature three complete paint lines as well as a full line of hand and power tools, plumbing, electrical and an equipment and party rentals store. Also, with a new partnership with Agway, the store will have a full line of pet, agricultural and lawn and garden supplies.

Raser said the Agway section is stocked with the company's signature Feathered Friends bird food and pet supplies and will expand the lawn and garden part in March.

"Serving the customer is top priority at Carr Hardware," Raser said in a press release. "We focus on meeting the expectations of local contractors, institutions, and residents by providing the community with competitively priced products and services they need to complete their projects without having to go out of town."

Carr operates stores in Lee, Pittsfield, Great Barrington and Watervliet, N.Y.

Monday's opening will be a soft opening but a grand opening is planned for the weekend of April 27.

Tags: Carr, hardware, opening,

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Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

With Walmart at one end of town and Carr at the other end , what we need is a downtown bypass. ASAP .
from: need	on: 01-27-2012 05:50PM I Agree (12) - I Disagree (22)

It's great to see an established Berkshire County business (Carr has been in Pittsfield for decades) have confidence in North Adams and buy a vacant building to create badly needed tax dollars for North Adams. Thanks to Bart Raser for a great job.
from: malapo	on: 01-27-2012 06:21PM I Agree (57) - I Disagree (4)

Carr did not buy this building. They are renting from Scarafoni. They are already in North Adams. They are just moving and expanding.
from: ugh	on: 01-27-2012 08:03PM I Agree (10) - I Disagree (18)
Editor: No, they didn't buy the building. But they are expanding, making a vacant building worth more, adding jobs and paying more taxes. They could have left.
I Agree (59) - I Disagree (1)

A business doubling it's space and number of employees is as good as a new businesses openning. It doesn't matter who owns the building, the same commerical taxes are paid on it. A renovated filled building is worth more than an old empty one and it looks good on a main route. They did a nice job on the building and it already has Aubachon starting renovations on their building. Good job Carr Hardware!
from: ThankU	on: 01-28-2012 12:13AM I Agree (46) - I Disagree (1)

Congratulations to Carr Hardware in expanding into a much larger store. I am sure that all the residents and other communities will benefit from the easy access and location of the store. Hiring extra help is certainly a plus to our community. Looking forward to the addition of gardening supplies and hopefully plants. Good Luck in this venture
from: Laurie	on: 01-28-2012 06:45AM I Agree (35) - I Disagree (0)

Carr moving Sears closing . Moving Forward ???
from: moving	on: 01-28-2012 10:06AM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (25)

How many of the new jobs are part time and how many are full time with health insurance?
from: Fact	on: 01-28-2012 10:12AM I Agree (11) - I Disagree (8)

Response: Unlike many other retailers, Carr Hardware believes customers shop here because of our career professionals. Therefore the majority of our staff consist of Full Time friendly, well trained career professionals who are experts in their fields. We have hired a few part timers but the majority of our team is full tme. Our full timers recieve highly competitive benefits for the retail industry including health, dental and life insurance. We also have a 401k and profit sharing plan. We are still looking for top level talent throughout the organization and welcome all applicants.
from: BART RASER	on: 01-28-2012 12:11PM I Agree (49) - I Disagree (0)

Editor Why no comment about Sears. You are just a liberal reporter that does not report the whole truth. It is good that Carr is expanding but at the same time the city is losing another downtown store. Do you think because you do not report it, it will not happen ??? Tell it like it is.
from: Why	on: 01-28-2012 04:06PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (22)
Editor: I don't know why there aren't many comments on Sear's leaving. I think it's bad, but it also was a corporate decision made far away. There's little communities can do about those decisions. Perhaps if someone had come forward to take over the franchise, Sears might not have closed. Maybe if Staples hadn't pushed online sales and made it too difficult to use corporate accounts, that wouldn't have closed. Maybe if corporate had been concerned about communities, the Kmart that WAS MAKING MONEY wouldn't have closed. Bottomline: corporations don't really care. I do hope you were one of those actually spending money in the Sears.
I Agree (37) - I Disagree (1)

Little mention here at the moment about the Agway component. Those of us who really miss Agway are looking forward to that. Although Central Tractor is a great store, it's a pain to drive all the way up to Bennington for some electrolytes or fence wire or whatever.
from: guy	on: 01-28-2012 07:59PM I Agree (22) - I Disagree (0)

Bart, so how many of the fifteen new will be fulltime? 5, 7, 10, or you don't know yet? And please note I wish you the best of luck
from: Fact	on: 01-28-2012 09:07PM I Agree (8) - I Disagree (0)

Competition is good ,it is said. Hope it helps Aubuchon just down the road in Williamstown. We certainly don't need another empty eyesore on Main St. Good luck to both.
from: Helene Armet	on: 01-30-2012 07:44AM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (0)

The building looks great, better than it has in many years, since the car dealers literally put no money into it for decades. It's great to see a locally owned business expanding in North Adams in a good location and putting their money where their mouth is. Thanks Bart. Look forward to going to Carr's North Adams store a lot.
from: Yes	on: 01-30-2012 09:46AM I Agree (36) - I Disagree (0)

Why do so many people have to throw negatives out at everything that happens in this town. Nice building, new jobs, etc but their has to be a few grumblers that attack the paper and the new business before they open the doors. Grow up people.
from: geez	on: 01-31-2012 02:48PM I Agree (18) - I Disagree (1)

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Pittsfield Carr Hardware store, so I'm sure that this one will be awesome, too. I know I will be a regular customer and hope that North Adams, Clarksburg, Stamford, Adams and Williamstown folks will also shop there and appreciate the great store we now have in our midst. Best of luck, Mr. Raser, and THANK YOU for your confidence in North Adams.
from: Cockerbeagle	on: 01-31-2012 08:02PM I Agree (17) - I Disagree (0)

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

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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