Across the street from the parking lot on the corner of Church and Housatonic streets in Lenox, a cage of wooden towers and onion domes supports a red sandal. The new window display announces Shooz, a shoe store run by the owner of Casablanca Contemporary Fashion for Men and Women. Shooz opened Saturday, May 24. It opened quietly, but did well at the opening, according to owner Tony Chojnowski.
Manager Michelle Maturevitch said the previous Thursday, the floor was as white as the ceiling with plaster dust. She and other staff members stayed up until after 1 a.m. and were at work early the next morning, for several days.
Chojnowski has run Casablanca at 21 Housatonic St. in Lenox for 17 years. Maturevitch worked at Casablanca for two years before she took over at Shooz, and she worked at Glad Rags before that. Casablanca has sold shoes off and on, Chojnowski said. The shoes always sold well. There are other shoe stores in some of the neighboring towns, in Great Barrington for instance, but they often carry outdoor wear.
Shooz specializes in women’s shoes, jewelry and hand bags, Chojnowski said. They carry one line of men’s shoes as well. Their shoes are almost all made in Italy. He went down the list of brand names: Stuart Weitzman, Donald J. Kleiner (men’s and women’s), Via Spiga, and Peter Kent, a new designer who has recently set up shop in New York. For the season, Shooz has focused on a variety of summer sandals, comfortable and stylish, most with modest heels.
The price range “runs the gamut,†Maturevitch said. Shooz also carries Colette Malouf jewelry, Swarovski crystal hair clips in many colors, and handbags in the shapes of shoes, by Shashanna Smith. “We will be going to a shoe show in a couple of weeks,†she said. “There are such great boutiques in Lenox already.†They did not want to compete for what is available. People at Casablanca would find an outfit and ask, “What am I going to wear with this?â€
“They could go to New York or Boston,†Maturevitch said. “We decided to bring New York and Boston here.â€
Chojowski and Maturevitch pointed out the ‘husband sofa’ and fireplace, and the collection of Asian, African and Mexican art on the shelves and walls: masks, carved figures, crimson lacquered bowls. And authentic Oriental rugs warmed the floor. Chojowski said he got the idea for his decoration from the Donald Kleiner showroom in New York City, which has black wood floors, white walls and richly colored rugs. Some of the artwork comes from Chojnowski’s collection, some from New York galleries and some from places closer to home, including Barong Imports in Great Barrington.
Shooz has been a dream and a plan for two or three years, Chojnowski and Maturevitch said. Chojnowski has been waiting for a space to open up for rent. This stretch of Housatonic Street is an offshoot of main shopping area, they said, but the antique business next door has had no lack of business in its location.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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