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.