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A wall of boards at The Garden on Eagle Street. The skateboard shop is an offshoot of the longtime North Street fixture in Pittsfield.
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The store offers a variety of merchandise including Vans, apparel and accessories.

The Garden Sets Up Shop in North Adams

By Gregory FournieriBerkshires Correspondent
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The skateboard shop opened in June in the newly renovated space. It will close for the winter in late fall as the owner shifts to snowboard sales in Pittsfield. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A classic Berkshire County business has opened a new branch in North County.

The Garden, a 20-year-old skateboard shop on North Street in Pittsfield, opened a space on Eagle Street in mid-June in the former Mia's Exchange.

Owner Bill Whittaker said opening a store in North Adams was a no-brainer.

"We just kind of saw an opportunity with the growth of" the city, particularly with the skatepark," he said. "We liked what we saw … with other businesses and restaurants coming in here, and it was pretty much not a huge investment … rent is pretty cheap."

Business has been steady, though Whittaker said he is still trying to get the word out. The Garden sells skateboards and skateboard equipment, including decks and wheels. It also sell apparel, like hats, sweat shirts, pants, and shoes, and other accessories.

Whittaker said that the sport of skateboarding is growing at a rapid pace, especially with women.

"I've never seen anything like it before with women," he said. "It's great."

"There's really good energy around" skateboarding now, Whittaker continued. He attributed this to the Olympics, as well as cabin fever built up around COVID-based lockdowns. People want to get back into outdoor activities, he said.

To build on that enthusiasm, The Garden has sponsored free women's skate clinics at the North Adams skatepark, where "everybody is welcome for whatever ability level." These events have been largely impromptu and have offered women the chance to learn new skills without the "intimidation" that men can inadvertently bring to bear, he said.

Whittaker told iBerkshires that he is looking forward to working with the city to promote his own business and others in the city.

"Everybody wants to work together and do fun things," Whittaker said regarding local businesses. He said The Garden will look for other events to participate in, including the First Friday events in downtown.

The Garden will be seasonal in North Adams, likely closing shop sometime after Black Friday. At that point, it will sell snowboards and ski equipment at Bosquet's new lodge in Pittsfield. The store is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 to 6 and Sunday from 11 to 4. The website is www.gardenma.com.


Tags: new business,   

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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.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

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. 

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