PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The newly renovated and expanded Cumberland Farms on First Street opened Wednesday morning.

 

The company has been renovating all of its stores, many in Berkshire County and First Street is just the latest to see the transformation. The project massively expanded the former store with the purchase and demolition of the Sanborn property, a former electrical supply company, on Adam Street. 

 

The new 4,700 square-foot convenience store includes doubling the number amount of gas pumps and adding a dozen new jobs. Previously, the small store featured an average of 16 employees and now the store is staffed with 28.

 

The former store closed on Aug. 15, 2016, and company officials say there were no hitches with the construction. The renovation also included adding more grass, shrubs, and trees.

 

During permitting, engineers said the project was designed to be not only more aesthetically pleasing but improve functionality. That means changing the layout to be further from First Street to allow vehicles to maneuver better. 

 

It also includes new lighting and increased security cameras to discourage loitering or other activities — a particular concern among city officials during the permitting process. The former store had been somewhat rundown and outdated. The location has been serving as one gas station or the other since the early 20th century with Cumberland Farms being just the latest to occupy the spot. 

 

The new store is particularly important for Pittsfield because it significantly improves the attractiveness of the downtown area. 

 

Since 2009, the company has been revamping its store, expanding and renovating all over. In total there are some 600 stores and about half of them have been completed. The company typically holds its grand openings in conjunction with a local fundraiser, as it has with other nearby stores including Dalton and North Adams.