The Moulton family of North Adams has found business success in the city and is giving back to the community in the civic, political, and religious spheres.
The family owns and operates The Spectacle Shoppe on Main Street in North Adams. They also have a store in Bennington, Vt., and an outlet in Manchester, Vt.
Robert R. Moulton, Sr. explained that the business, formerly Hoosac Valley Optical, was owned previously by his father-in-law, Tony Cicchetti. Bob, Sr. became involved in the business in the early 1950s.
“I worked with him, gaining my license as an optician and going to school at the same time,†said Bob, Sr., who taught in the Adams school system and also served three years as a counselor at McCann High School. He bought the business in 1971 after his father-in-law died.
Bob, Sr. retired from the business about five years ago to devote himself full-time to the role of permanent deacon the local Catholic church. After several years serving in North Adams, he now serves at Notre Dame-St. Thomas parish in Adams.
He said with a smile that he still stops by the business for a cup of coffee now and then.
Robert R. Moulton, Jr., himself an optician, is now president of the corporation and oversees the business, spending most of his time in the Bennington store. His brother Peter Moulton, also an optician, manages the North Adams store. Brother Mark, an audiotician, provides hearing aid services in both the North Adams and Bennington stores.
Their sister Mary-Ann Meaney, and her husband, John Meaney, as well as Bob, Jr.’s wife, Bonny, also work in the business.
Bob, Jr. and Mark both won election for the first time last November to elective office in North Adams: Bob Jr. to the city council and Mark to the school committee.
“I had wanted to do it for a long time. The time wasn’t right for a lot of different reasons, business reasons or family reasons,†said Bob, Jr., who noted that in 1999 he came very close to running but didn’t. “This time it was just right. The kids are getting older, I’ve got one in college now, and I had a little bit of time.â€
“I was interested in local politics. I think it’s very interesting — it’s a way to give back,†he said. “I have opinions on things, which people who know me will verify, and I just thought I could be a positive force, add something to it.â€
Mark said his reasons for running for school committee are similar.
“It’s been something that I had thought about for several years,†he said. “Looking at the school system in North Adams, I think there’s a lot of ... issues that will be coming up that I think I could have some good input for. Again, [it’s] a way to give back to the community that’s given us so much over the years.â€
Bob, Jr. has been involved in different ways with the North Adams ambulance service for several years and is a master instructor of hunter safety. Mark is a member of the financial committee for the tri-parish Catholic community, consisting of Our Lady of Mercy, Notre Dame, and St. Francis churches in North Adams. He is a coach in the youth basketball league and helps out in the Little League. Peter coaches a Little League team.
Bob, Sr. said his service in the church, even in the years before he became a deacon, consisted of work with people in hospitals, nursing homes, and with shut-ins.
He said he is able to pursue his duties as deacon full-time now without a thought or worry for the business.
“One couldn’t have planned the way this has worked over the years,†Bob, Sr. said. “Starting many years ago when I first bought the business, you just do one little thing at a time and you have no idea of the future, none of us do.
“But gradually, all of a sudden, things start to fall into place, and without even realizing it you look at it one day and you sit back and say, ‘My goodness gracious, look at what is here,’ †he said. “For so many years, this community, North Berkshire people, have allowed us to develop into what I think is a very great business and the blessing of having your own kids, so many of them, involved in it and run it.
“And we shouldn’t take that for granted, so I think of the idea of always giving back to the community, we owe the community a lot, because the people have been very good to us for many years,†Bob, Sr. said.
Bob, Jr. agreed that the business has allowed him and other siblings to stay in the area and noted that there are 10 children in the family and all live in the area, nine in North Adams.
“It’s a great thing, very few families are able to experience that,†he said.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being part of a family business?
Peter said it can be difficult sometimes.
“Rob’s in Bennington, Manchester most of the time. He’s here maybe once a week, so I like to do things my way,†Peter said with a chuckle. “Rob will come down and like to do things his way.â€
Said Mark, “It’s like growing up. I mean, we had brothers that went out in the back yard and rumbled it, and it might happen in here, but we get over it and move on.â€
Bob, Sr. expressed great pride in the fact that his sons have followed in his footsteps, and said that people continually tell him what a great job they’re doing.
“I think sometimes that ... because it is family ... you take a little advantage in certain areas that you wouldn’t if you were working in a corporation where you don’t know the president,†he said.
“So we’ve kind of got to bend a little bit,†he added. “Those are the perks that you have, but overall I don’t think anybody would want to change it.â€
Bob, Sr. also gave great credit to his wife, Marilyn, especially for the early years of the business.
“I did what I had to do, but she kind of took care of the business, the bookkeeping and was there to give me encouragement when things were looking bad,†he said. “She has been really the heart of the family.â€
The Moultons expressed optimism about the North Adams economy over the long term, despite the current downturn.
“We as a business have been most fortunate to go through some very tough times, but in spite of it we have done well through the toughest times,†Bob, Sr. said. “I think we’re on a real high road — I’m very optimistic.â€
“Whoever I speak to when the people come in for class reunions ... and I talk with them, visit with them, they are all impressed with what they see here,†he said. “And I think the atmosphere, the beauty that we have now in this community is just an encouraging thing for so many people.
“The morale of the people, when they realize what’s been done, see what’s been done, they are all optimistic,†he said.
Peter said he’s noticed a lot more younger people coming into the North Adams store than five years ago.
“I don’t think it’s so much the colleges in the area, but I think there’s a lot [of] younger people ... being employed here,†he said.
Bob, Jr. said that in the past couple years with the increase of visitors, the traffic in town gets a bit heavy at times.
The Moultons and the city have been completing a deal for the city to purchase the section of the long-empty historic Mohawk Theater the family owns. Officials hope to eventually restore the theater, which is adjacent to the Spectacle Shoppe.
Bob, Sr. agrees with North Adams Mayor John Barrett III that it would be great if a generous benefactor came along with money to get the theater open.
“Get that thing open and shows going in there, bring people onto the street, and it will give it a sense of life,†he said.
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Winter Storm Warning Issued for Berkshires
Another snowstorm is expected to move through the region overnight on Friday, bringing 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is updated from Thursday's winter weather advisory.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has posted a winter storm warning for all of Berkshire County and parts of eastern New York State beginning Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday at 1 p.m.
The region could see heavy to moderate snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour overnight, tapering off Saturday morning to flurries.
Drivers should exercise caution on Friday night and Saturday morning, as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Saturday night should be clear and calm, but warming temperatures means freezing rain Sunday night and rain through Monday with highs in the 40s. The forecast isn't much better through the week as temperatures dip back into the teens with New Year's Eve looking cloudy and frigid.
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