North Berkshire Summer Business Pilot

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — 1Berkshire in, partnership with the North Adams Chamber of Commerce and proAdams, announced the launch of the Pop Up, North Berkshire program heading into Summer 2022. 
 
This program, funded through a one-time grant award from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, will support and supplement the establishment of up to 4 pop up businesses between the downtowns in the Town of Adams and the City of North Adams from July through September. 
 
"In downtowns across the country, the establishment of pop up business communities to improve tenancy, and create a critical mass of offerings, has become a high impact best practice," Benjamin Lamb, 1Berkshire Director of Economic Development said. "We are excited to be piloting this type of injection of activity and commerce to the area this summer and are thankful to have such supportive collaborators in the effort with the North Adams Chamber and proAdams."
 
The program will allow businesses an opportunity to become established and test their offering in the local market, with the potential for more permanent operations following the summer. The program provides an injection of capital, along with technical assistance and permit navigation
 
To date, three of the four businesses have been selected and are in the process of getting ready for summer operations, these include:
 
WallaSauce - North Adams - Owned and operated by Sarah DeFusco and Kirby Casteel, WallaSauce is a locally produced streetwear brand focused on minimizing waste while simultaneously exploring self-expression through clothing, merchandise, and creative thinking. They will be opening a retail storefront in the City to both sell their products and produce their items in a prominent downtown space.
 
The Adams Incubator - Adams - Owned and operated by Yina Moore, The Adams Incubator is a conceptual co-working, art retail, and small event venue that will pair with the redevelopment of the Adams Theater. By providing a coworking space in downtown Adams, the Adams Incubator will offer an array of amenities to individuals seeking an office, a space to innovate, and a community of professionals, while also putting on programming. 
 
Secret Sun Tanning Salon - Adams - Owned and operated by Jason Nocher, Secret Sun Tanning Salon will be housed in an updated downtown space offering tanning options to the local market. By creating another service offering on a main downtown corridor, Secret Sun will help draw increased and new traffic and customers to the area.
 
An additional fourth business will be identified and supported for opening in North Adams in the coming weeks. 
 
 

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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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