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Claire Klammer and Gretchen Thomas at the new Norad Cafe that opened last week.
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Norad Mill Opens In-House Cafe

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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Claire Klammer takes on order on Friday. The cafe is currently cash only. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The mini-Main Street that is the Norad Mill now has its own cafe. 
 
The Norad Cafe joins dozens of businesses already in the former Exelcior Mill and has been on the priority list for mill developer David Moresi since taking possession of the structure.  
 
"It's just a place where you can just get a big old stuffed sandwich," Moresi said. "I mean, there's nowhere around here like this to get a deli sandwich. There really isn't. I've talking about this for 15-plus years."
 
The North Adams native has been interested in resurrecting some of the sentimental favorites of years past — including a candy store that could be open as early as Halloween.  
 
"Really the goal is to have a little fun and, and bring back some things," he said.
 
One of those things is a deli with overstuffed sandwiches and Boar's Head sliced meats and cheeses to go. Sandwiches are $6-$7 or so with a bag of chips and a pickle; a build-your-own grilled cheese is $5. Sliced meats are varied prices. 
 
"There are fresh baked muffins and stuff from Tunnel City," Moresi said. "So that's us working with the tenants — and the coffee's from Tunnel City."
 
Tunnel City's coffee roasting operation is located in the mill. The cafe also has drinks and snacks and set of vending machines outside when its closed. It is open in the morning and closes at 2 p.m.
 
Moresi said anticipates adding more offerings like salads, soup and pizza and possibly adding more staff once the schedule becomes more regular. 
 
The cafe offers a needed service as the mill on Roberts Drive has filled up far faster than expected with a mix of manufacturing, professional offices, and retail. Its location on the first floor makes it easy to grab lunch for tenants and customers, and it was busy on Friday, the second day it was open. 
 
Gretchen Thomas and Claire Klammer are operating the deli and said it was very busy the first couple days around lunchtime. 
 
"He was impressed on the first day on how we handled things. It was a little bit chaotic," Thomas said. "And people might have to wait a little bit for their stuff. But so far, so good. Everybody's been patient and we've gotten very good reviews. That's important. 
 
"Nobody has been unhappy. We're planning on keeping it that way." 

Tags: new business,   cafe,   

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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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