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Ashley Priester and Sarah Raschdorf have moved their businesses to a shared space on Main Street.

Bella Sky Gifts and Avery Adams Massage & Boutique Grand Opening Saturday

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Priester's portion of The Shops @ 65 Main offers a wide variety of handcrafted items.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Bella Sky Gifts and Avery Adams Massage & Boutique have expanded and made the move from Summer Street in Adams to Main Street here in the city.
 
Ashley Priester and Sarah Raschdorf decided to come together in 2018 to open up their businesses Bella Sky Gifts and then Adams Therapeutic Massage side by side and, after much success, they decided to move north.
 
"This allows us to play off of each other's businesses even more," said Priester, who operated a decor and gift store in the city several years ago. "There is more foot traffic here and so much happening ... This just flows better."
 
The new shop at  65 Main St. at the corner of Holden Street is double the space of their former location and Raschdorf said they tore down a wall and built two massage rooms.
 
"The two new rooms will allow me to hire two new massage therapists once we get settled in," she said. "There is the possibility to not only offer massage but other spa services."
 
Priester said there's also more wall space for handcrafted and artisan items that can't be found anywhere else. 
 
"I just had a customer walk in and they were excited to have this here on Main Street because there are stores on Main Street and we can all work together but we have different options here," she said. "We can fill in the gaps."
 
Raschdorf added that their products are still of the highest quality but priced reasonably.
 
"We want to remind people that everything we carry is handcrafted and we are careful with what we bring in," she said. "Nothing here is mass produced and we want to keep prices reasonable."
 
Priester said she still plans to hold "Do It Yourself" get-togethers but wants to host these more regularly at local restaurants.  
 
"It helps expand the business and helps other businesses," she said. "Plus people like to have a drink and something to eat."
 
Raschdorf also plans to expand her services and a list of current offerings can be found here.
 
Raschdorf said now that the two are not only under the same roof but in the same storefront, they really can help each other.
 
"We are clones and can really manage everything together," she said. "Before we were running back and forth and trying to help each other out. This way we can share employees and it was a really smart business decision."
 
Priester said although now they have planned a grand opening Saturday. She said there will "sweets, snacks, and giveaways."
 
Hours are Tuesdays 10:30 to 5; Wednesday 10:30 to 2; Thursdays 11-7; Fridays 11-6; Saturdays 10:30 to 3; and Sundays 11 to 2. The store is closed Mondays. The phone number is 413-664-1277 and they can be found here on Facebook. 

Tags: new business,   gift shop,   grand opening,   massage therapy,   

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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