North Adams Local Crafts Store Closing

Ashley Priester opened her store last year to promote local artisans and crafters. She also has been involved with a number of local charities.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Although AP Home Decor may be closing, owner Ashley Priester wants to continue her involvement in the community and with local artisans.

Priester said she is closing her store on 10 Ashland St. that sells locally produced crafts because of other obligations.

"I am closing my store because of some good personal reasons that are going to need more of my attention," Priester said. "The store is doing really well … and I think that with the store doing well and something needing my full attention all of the time, I won’t be able to give my attention to both things properly."

Although Priester is closing her store, she said she will still be everywhere in "spirit" and wants to remain involved. She said she will continue to promote local artisans from her home through the store's Facebook page, which will still be used after the store's closing.

"I like to be involved too much to not do anything," she said. "I am still going to be around doing my thing; I am not going to be quiet and I am still going to help the community, the crafters and local businesses."

Priester said she plans to team up with local businesses and have them carry many of her vendors' crafts. She said many of the local businesses support local crafters and are excited to carry their goods.

"I think this year is going to be more fun because not only am I able to help out the crafters … I am going to go to local business and help them out, too," she said. "I am not going to just keep it in this store, I am going everywhere and help out as much as I can in the community."

Priester said she will continue to host her ladies night at the PNA and the Adams Ale House once a month. She said women can come and have drinks and appetizers while learning a new craft.

She added that she will also stay involved in craft fairs and the charitable acts her store sponsored, including the Stockings of Hope and Random Acts of Kindness Jar.

The store opened last July and Priester said it has been a quick and successful year.

"It has been one really quick year ... and everyone has been supportive and the store has been busy right from the start," she said.

Even though she closes on Aug. 2, Priester said she wants to "go out with a bang."

She said there are going to be new sales every week starting Friday.

"I want to make it as fun and as enjoyable as I can and raise as much money as I can for all of my vendors because everyone who makes stuff in here puts their heart into it," she said.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.