BBE Office Interiors Shows Off New East Street Digs
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — BBE Office Interiors celebrated its new showroom and office space with a grand opening on Friday.
After 65 years downtown, the company expanded its potential by switching its 28,000 square-foot North Street building for — 28,000 square feet at 1595 East St.
It's all about how that space is used that is helping BBE prepare for the "21st-century office."
"The stars had to align so to speak," said owner Robert Proskin. "Barrington Stage bought our building. We were lucky that they needed a nice home, that we needed a nice home ... it's a win-win."
The multi-floor location at 122 North St. wasn't conducive for office mockups and the warehouse was out on Dalton Avenue. The new location, most recently occupied by Old Saddleback Brewing Co., brings everything together on a single floor under one roof. That includes an 11,000 square-foot warehouse for storage and assembly of larger pieces and all 19 employees — eight in office and sales, 11 in assembly and warehouse.
"The opportunity came up for us to move to this location, which enabled our company to have our corporate offices, our showrooms and our warehouses all under one roof," said Vice President Daniel Proskin, who with his brother, Ryan, is on the "front 9" in running the business, said his father. "It makes business a lot smoother."
The company closed on the East Street location in July and spent the last couple months transforming the factory into a showroom and office space. The lobby opens onto the main show floor where dozens of suites, chairs and desks are displayed for customers to view and try out.
"Most people don't do what we do. We can't ask a customer to drive to Boston, to New York to see furniture," said Rob Proskin. "If they want to see furniture, we have it here. ... We have a wonderful design department that you wouldn't find it in most small communities, but you're going to find it here."
The company caters to large customers like Berkshire Health Systems, Williams College, Berkshire Bank and Greylock Federal Credit Union as well as offering solutions for smaller companies and several rooms of "dent and scratch" for those seeking more low-cost options with high quality.
Office environments have changed since Rob Proskin got into the business back in 1977 under Berkshire Business Equipment Co.'s founder, the late William Pomerantz.
"Back then if somebody said they wanted a chair, we'd say, 'well, do you want the brown one or the black one?'" Proskin laughed, recalling the ubiquitous metal "tank" desks used in most offices. "Now we have different designs, chairs with different ergonomic features. ... It's just really a lot of fun, more than it was in the old 'good' days."
The modern office is a colorful place, just going by the products on view in the showroom. Chairs are available in just about every color and configuration, including an ergonomic mushroom-shaped seat; suites come in a variety of surfaces and shapes and options for raising or lowering desktops. Everything, of course, is geared to the digital.
"It's our job to show our customers how their offices can look in 21st-century design," Dan Proskin said. "I think the showroom here does a nice job to show how you can set up individual suites whether you're setting up for administrative people or managers or anything like that."
BBE's design shop can work with customers to create 3-D renderings and virtual walk-throughs of office designs. Dan Proskin said the design shop can work with architects or interior designer "to bring things to life.
The Proskins said they do miss their neighbors on North Street, but the new location offers more for customers and employees: more parking, more space, better display and meeting areas, and the ability to streamline services to meet a growing customer demand.
"We're having a very, very good year," said Dan Proskin. "We're growing, the community supports us and we certainly appreciate that. I think the more we continue to improve the Berkshires, the more need for our services there will be ... we're excited for the future."
Tags: business event, grand opening, moving, open house,
