Laurin Publishing Buys KB Toys Building In Pittsfield

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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via LoopNet
The KB Toys building has been purchased by Laurin Publishing.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Laurin Publishing bought the long empty KB Toys building at 100 West St. for about $1.1 million this week.

President Thomas F. Laurin said on Friday that the new space almost across the street from its offices in the Berkshire Commons will allow the company to expand its operations while staying in the downtown area.

"I think we love being downtown," he said of the family business. "We like to support the other retailers with our employees and it's a nice place to be ... We have had other opportunities to move but we like it here."

Laurin Publishing, founded by Teddi C. Laurin in 1964, publishes business-to-business magazines, directories and websites serving the global photonics industry, which focuses on optics, lasers, imaging, photonics component manufacturing and more, under the Photonics Media brand.

It's been a tenant of the Berkshire Commons on South Street for 32 years. The move to 74,000 square-foot, four-story West Street building will allow the company to continue to expand opportunities beyond its traditional print publications.

Laurin said the publishing company can use the space for videography and production work. Employees will get a tour of the building next week and the company is expected to move in by early summer.

"We'll use about a third of the building, the top floor and part of the second," Laurin said. "We already have some activity looking at the other space, some players to come in with us."

In a statement, Mayor Daniel Bianchi said Laurin, both family and business, have been a significant part of the community.


"They have always invested in Pittsfield and will continue to do so at an even higher level as the new owners of a key downtown building," he said. "We stand ready to assist in any way with the revival of this building and the transition of Laurin Publishing to West Street."

The 25-year structure was built as the headquarters for what was then the fast-growing KB Toys. But the toy retailer couldn't compete with national chains and cheaper competition; it went bankrupt and was bought out by Big Lots.

The building was acquired by an outside owner who was ready to sell as a long-term lease ended. Laurin said the building's location and its newer systems made it an attractive purchase. The future of building has been a frequent topic. Last week, an urban planning forum suggested it could be used for housing; in 2010, it was the centerpiece of a tour for developers through the region.

In a statement, Laurin described the city as in the midst of a "hard-won renaissance" and worth investing in.

"We are proud to be part of that rebirth by bringing new life to an important commercial building that has been underutilized for some time, and recommitting to our place in Pittsfield's proud past and dynamic future," he said.

Note: The transaction was recorded April 9, 2012, in the Middle Berkshire Registry of Deeds. RKE Realty LLC purchased the building for $1.1 million from New York partnership Pittsfield Mass. Associates, which acquired the property in 1986 from Kay-Bee Toy & Hobby Shops Inc. Kay-Bee had a lease and option to buy dated from 1987.


Tags: building,   Real Estate,   

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Biz Briefs: Dream Green Expands, Marie's Closes, Advice for Retiring Docs

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Dream Green Offers Secure Data Destruction

ADAMS, Mass. — Dream Green Recycling is now certified to destroy secure data, opening up possibilities for local municipalities and more to recycle their electronics locally.

Owners Patrick Kennedy and Kyle Danforth said this will help them reach new facilities.

"It allows us to do a lot more, municipalities, government contracts, hospitals, big corporate offices, stuff like that, where they need that badge to do the data destruction and know that, it's done the right way, and it's totally wiped out or destroyed," Danforth said.

The certification took about a year to obtain. Dream Green is one of few facilities in the New England area that has the certification, making it easier for customers to recycle their computer devices locally instead of shipping it outside the county or state.

"With us being able to do it locally reduces the carbon footprint and the emissions. A lot of people are like, 'Oh, we're recycling, but we're shipping it all the way to Rhode Island or New Jersey or out of the state.' And it's like, yeah, you're recycling, but you're really not lowering the carbon footprint because you have that tractor trailer truck or the 18 wheeler that's going over the trail and burning up all those emissions," Danforth said. "So yeah, you're recycling, but in the long scheme of things, you're creating a larger footprint trying to do the right thing," 

The team plans to expand on their certification to include on-site data destruction as well as solid state scrubbing to be able to upcycle the product.

"As we grow, we just listen to what the community lacks and try to fulfill those issues and stuff like that, help solve problems along the way. So this was someone who came to us and said something about how it was hard to do stuff with the E waste, and that's why we diversified in it," Danforth said.

Dream Green is EPA Section 608 certified, which means they are also able to handle refrigerants like refrigerators and air conditioning units.

"Our end goal is we want to be the facility like your scrap yard or your transfer station, where we are the one stop shop for recycling," Danforth said.

Kennedy agreed, "our job is to divert as much material from a landfill as possible. We try to divert as much trash from going to a landfill as possible. That's our main objective of Dream Green Recycling."

Dream Green Recycling opened in late 2023 and provides local drop-off and pickup from its locations at 15 Print Works Drive, Adams, and Downing Industrial Park in Pittsfield. It recycles mattresses, tires, televisions and more.

Marie's Closes on North Street

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Marie's North Street Eatery and Gallery closed its doors for the last time Friday, Feb. 27.

Co-owners Neil Davis and Ashley Marie announced their closure on the Facebook on the following Sunday.

"Bringing Marie's to life every day brought us incredible joy, from renovating the space, to opening a gallery, and of course, to preparing wholesome and tasty food for you, which is what we did best. We truly thank you so much for being a part of it."

The gallery held its ribbon-cutting two years ago at its space at 148 North St. The eatery and gallery had grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items.

The two had opened their eatery in the former Maria’s European Delights, paying homage to her through their name and certain menu items.

Financial Planner Specializes in Health-Care Professionals

WYNANTSKILL, N.Y. — Nate Tomkiewicz, a certified financial planner, specializes in providing fiduciary investment management and comprehensive financial planning, with a primary focus on health-care professionals within 10 years of retirement.
 
Established in May 2025, Tomkiewicz Wealth Management is a registered investment advisory firm.
 
"I founded Tomkiewicz Wealth Management to cut through the noise and provide the kind of specific, high-level guidance that health-care professionals deserve," said Tomkiewicz. "These are people who spend their careers — their lives — caring for others. My goal is to care for their financial future, ensuring they can transition from a high-stress career to a comfortable retirement."
 
After nearly a decade working in the financial services industry, Tomkiewicz founded his own firm to offer personalized, client-first experience. Tomkiewicz Wealth Management was built to address the unique complexities faced by doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who often juggle demanding careers with intricate benefit packages, including 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, he said.
 
The firm operates as a fee-only fiduciary, meaning it is legally bound to act in the client's best interest at all times. These services include strategies for retirement income, investment management, benefit optimization, tax planning, and planning for health-care costs. 
 
Tomkiewicz Wealth Management serves clients in New York's Capital Region, Berkshire County, and virtually across the country.
 
For more information visit tomkiewiczwm.com or call 518-219-7323.
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