I am writing this letter in response to a recent article on iberkshires.com ("Pot Shop Proposes Moving Into Adams Oasis Property" June 8). While the headline would lead one to believe that the most significant information in this story would be the opening of a marijuana store in the Oasis building in Adams, the article covers a far more complex topic. In this article we learn that the Adam's Hometown Market has requested a license to carry beer and wine, in addition to the request from Holistic Health Inc. to obtain a permit for a pot shop.
I support a new business opening in Adams and believe that it would generate much-needed business and revenue for the town. What I do not support is the request from the Adam's supermarket chain to carry beer and wine. There is far too little entrepreneurship in Adams as it is and cannibalizing small business will only exacerbate this issue. It is true that a business must be profitable to sustain. I believe that chain stores and corporations have strict guidelines that limit their ability to be flexible and creatively provide products to customers to help them survive in smaller communities.
While there are many who support the Adam's Hometown Market, they also seek to keep their individual expenses down so having the Super Walmart just over the town line with North Adams has made it difficult for the store to compete. Being able to get groceries at later hours and lower cost has reduced the sales of the smaller store and I believe this was a major factor in why Big Y was unable to sustain its business in the town.
Adam's Hometown Market's request would essentially create for the small-business owners the same situation that Walmart has created for the supermarket. I care greatly for this town and I think it is important that the grocery store thrives but not at the expense of other established local businesses within the Adams community.
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Letter: That's Who We Are, Adams
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor:
That's Who We Are
I wanted to say something about Sept. 12, 2026. The day we celebrated the with the Alerts 150th anniversary parade.
I want us to recognize that our community is built on, and sustained by, an amazing force: volunteer organizations and the people who give their time, energy and passion to make Adams a better place.
Our community is not defined by naysayers, keyboard warriors, problem creators, or those who seem intent on finding fault with every effort. It is defined by people who step up, get involved, solve problems, learn from our mistakes, add value where they can, and lift each other up when times are difficult.
We live in what I like to call "our little piece of heaven." And Sept. 12 was a wonderful reminder of who we really are.
Our community is built on amazing volunteers and first responders, as was so clearly demonstrated by the celebration of the Adams Fire Department's 150th Anniversary. It was a glorious parade, planned and executed flawlessly, and made even more special by the participation of more than 30 fire departments and first responder organizations from throughout the area. Thank you, Mike Therrien and your entire team, for giving all of us the opportunity to celebrate with you. That's who we are.
Our community is built on newcomers like Yina Moore, who came to town with a vision and is executing it beautifully. She continues to curate amazing performances. The Adams Theater surpassed its $100,000 fundraising goal this year. That kind of accomplishment doesn't happen by accident. It happens because people believe in Adams and are willing to work for it. That's who we are.
Our community is built on supporting the incredible work at the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center; an amazing facility that grew from a concept championed by our Community Development Director Donna Cesan, and made possible in part through extraordinary state support led by Representative Barrett, who believed in the project and believed in us. That's who we are.
Our community is built on four people sitting on a porch one day and deciding that they didn't want Adams to be defined by negative stories. They decided that creating a group called Pro Adams could be part of changing that narrative. Fifteen years later, they are still going strong. This year, they are continuing to innovate with projects to help promote economic growth, like Bears on Parade. Thank you, Pro Adams, for keeping that dream alive. That's who we are.
Our community is built on another conversation between two women who believed our town needed an uplift. There are no words to adequately express our gratitude to Mary Parker, Deb Nowicki, and the entire team that has made such a difference in such a short time. Our Adams Beautification team did just that! It's beautiful. That's who we are.
Our community is built on dedication to preserving the history of Adams. Through newsletters, reenactments, church tours, the Quaker Meeting House and the continued preservation of artifacts and stories, the Adams Historical Society remains an important part of our community and our identity. That's who we are.
Our community is built on organizations like Berkshire Harm Reduction and Berkshire Health Systems that work to address the needs of all our residents. You may have noticed the new naloxone boxes appearing in locations throughout town. That is what a community does; it recognizes a need and works together to address it. Thank you to BRPC, Berkshire Harm Reduction, Adams Police Department, and the HEAL Community for being part of that effort. That's who we are.
Our community is built on the steadfastness and hard work of the team that calls itself the Adams Street Fair. We all know that it is about much more than the Street Fair itself. When the Adams Events Committee disbanded after more than 40 years, this group stepped up and took on the movies and concerts. They didn't simply continue them; they expanded them. No complaints. No excuses. Just hard work, coordination and commitment to the community. That's who we are.
Our community is built on the hard work and passion of the Thunderbolt Ski Runners, who for years have maintained and groomed mountain bike trails on our side of majestic Mount Greylock. They continue to put in the work and create events that give all of us opportunities to enjoy this incredible place we call home. That's who we are.
I am leaving out so many others that this letter could go on forever; the Adams Lions Club, the American Legion, Friends of the COA, Friends of the Library, our churches, our civic organizations, our businesses, and countless individuals who quietly volunteer their time without ever asking for recognition.
Dozens of fire trucks escorted by marching firefighters made their way around downtown Adams on Saturday to the sounds of drums, fifes and the skirl of the bagpipes. click for more
Adams Town Administrator Nicholas Caccamo recently announced that the town missed out on a $4 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields and Land Revitalization grant. click for more
BRPC was awarded an additional $64,700 that will allow them to gather information about transportation needs in northern Berkshire County. click for more
Matthew Wright, formerly a sergeant in the Adams Police Department, officially took his post on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and said he is excited to hit the ground running. click for more
