image description — A reconstructed A-Mart store reopened on North Street this week after a year after a fire gutted the store.

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A-Mart Convenience Store Officially Reopens: A Look Inside

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
06:12AM / Saturday, December 26, 2020Print Story | Email Story

The store is all new construction with expanded offerings.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After a devastating arson fire last October that burnt A-Mart Convenience Store to the ground, the North Street hallmark is once again open for business.

A-Mart officially reopened to the public on Tuesday. Owner Yogesh Patel said the store itself hasn't changed much besides the expansion of retail space in what used to be a barbershop in the L-shaped building.

The business has been a part of downtown Pittsfield for some three decades, making grocery, deli and other items accessible to residents of the lower-income area who may not have means of transportation.

Sonal Patel LLC of Chelmsford purchased the A-Mart in September 2017 for $1,113,691.

Since the convenience store portion of the one-story building was destroyed, the structure had to be completely rebuilt. The new A-Mart features high ceilings, automatic doors, an expanded deli area, and an expanded beer, wine, and liquor section.

Patel said a new sign is going to be installed out front but signage from the original A-Mart will be displayed inside to preserve its memory.

Though some construction is still being done on the exterior, A-Mart is ready to welcome its loyal customers and new customers back to the establishment.

Tags: business changes, convenience store, reopening,

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires.com
11:59AM / Sunday, August 02, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back more than 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted, 4-2, to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

“I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference,” committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

“The city could have used for that difference over the next three years.”

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has vocally supported the independent audit for years, said the city doesn’t have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, “We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional and are looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is.”

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have comparable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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