NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The path for Bohemian Road pointed north as the gift and novelty traveled from Adams to the city's downtown Eagle Street last month.
"I live in Adams and I love the town ... It is a beautiful town but my girlfriend and I would come to North Adams and go to Mass MoCA and eat at different restaurants and we noticed there were always a ton of people walking around," owner Randy Cormier said of his decision move from Park Street. "That is not the case in Adams and this was just a business decision."
Cormier, who used to operate Brighter Daze at the Berkshire Mall, said his new location is just about the same size as his Park Street store but the ceilings are higher so he can hold more product.
Brighter Daze was closed in 2006, a couple years after he purchased the Depot in his hometown of Dalton. After selling the Depot, the singer-songwriter had concentrated on his music and run a landscaping business with his brother.
He describes his items as "hippy/bohemian," a mix of colorful "world" clothing and items.
"Clothing and gifts from around the world ... we do a lot of women's clothing. Whatever is in season," he said. "Crystals are big, tapestries, incense, and a lot of gifty stuff."
The store has a media section and Cormier, a musician, has a large selection of used CDs and vinyl.
Cormier said he also sells CBD oil, or cannabidiol, a non-pyschoactive compound from cannabis plants that's become popular as a natural remedy.
"We started selling it in Adams because it is such a health and wellness thing ... We sell a lot of it and I stand behind it," he said. "We don't carry anything that isn't federally legal to sell and we are not a dispensary. We are mindful — even though I don't have to I don't sell to anyone under 21."
Cormier is excited to be next to Bird Song Gallery and said there is a natural synergy between the two stores.
"We carry some of the same stuff but nothing is exactly the same," he said. "When there are more stores like you in an area that is packed full like Eagle it's better. People stop there and then come over here. You have to be cool with your neighbors.
"The more business the better."
Cormier urged passers-by to stop in his shop and said he likes to really get to know his customers.
"We have a great knowledge of our products and for 20-something years we have always taken care of our customers," he said. "If I have returning customers who come in and always buy multiple records they are going to get a discount."
Bohemian Road is located at 48 Eagle St. and is currently open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 to 4. Contact information: 413-841-0616.
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BAAMS' Monthly Studio 9 Series Features Mino Cinelu
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On April 20, Berkshires' Academy of Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) will host its fourth in a series of live music concerts at Studio 9.
Saturday's performance will feature drummer, guitarist, keyboardist and singer Mino Cinelu.
Cinelu has worked with Miles Davis, Sting, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Tracy Chapman, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Lou Reed, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Vicente Amigo, Dizzy Gillespie, Pat Metheny, Branford Marsalis, Pino Daniele, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Salif Keita.
Cinelu will be joined by Richard Boulger on trumpet and flugelhorn, Dario Boente on piano and keyboards, and Tony Lewis on drums and percussion.
Doors open: 6:30pm. Tickets can be purchased here.
All proceeds will help support music education at BAAMS, which provides after-school and Saturday music study, as well as a summer jazz-band day camp for students ages 10-18, of all experience levels.
Also Saturday, the BAAMS faculty presents master-class workshops for all ages, featuring Cinelu, Boulger, Boente, Lewis and bassist Nathan Peck.
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"It wasn't 100 percent consistent but I was afforded the opportunity to get to know other people with different religion, beliefs, backgrounds and culture and to be able to embrace that." click for more
With the area warming up, events are blooming in the Berkshires this weekend, including an egg hunt, live music, fitness events, and more.
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