image description — Kerry Raheb cuts the ribbon with his staff on Friday, marking the official welcome of Indica Cannabis to the town of Adams. Selectmen Joseph Nowak and Howard Rosenberg are at left, and Selectwoman Christine Hoyt at right.

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Adams Welcomes Opening of Indica Cannabis Dispensary

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:31PM / Wednesday, August 16, 2023Print Story | Email Story

Cameron Lutz and Dani Cook — sporting the shop's colors in their hair — are ready to fill orders for customers.

ADAMS, Mass. — Adams welcomed its first cannabis dispensary last week with a red ribbon flourish.

Indica Cannabis has been open since mid-June but on Friday, officials gathered to formally greet the town's newest business with a traditional ribbon cutting.

"The town invited me in. This is the only place I wanted to be," said Kerry Raheb, owner of Indica LLC. "It was a struggle from day one ... but we did a great business, the town's amazing, the residents are amazing and we have the best team anyone could have."

Selectman Howard Rosenberg saluted Raheb's perseverance over the two years it took to make his way through the state and local permitting process.

"The hoops you had to pass through, the regulatory part, those were no small hurdles so congratulations on that," he said. And he joked a little on the "historic times" they were living in.

"Thirty years ago, something like this, a cruiser would drive up and we'd all get pushed into the back of it," he said to laughter. "But now we get to ride in the front seat."

Indica is located at 127 Columbia St., which has been at various times a hippie shop, Chinese restaurant and, long ago, the Towne House bar and restaurant.

The exterior has been spruced up and the first floor completely renovated and highlighted in Indica's blue, green and black signature colors. Indicas are a type of cannabis native to parts of Southeast Asia, particularly the Hindu Kush region.

The shop offers a wide variety of products, including concentrates, edibles, beverages, pre rolls and tinctures and uses local growers like Berkshire Roots as well as MassGrow.

Raheb said pre-rolls, flowers and vaporizers are top sellers in Adams. When asked, he said he hasn't seen any sign there's an oversaturation of shops.

"I think we're pulling business from a lot of the stores because we offer great product at a great price," he said. "We're not looking to price gouge, we take care of our customers. So as far as our business, it's exceeded what we expected opening up and we're in first gear, we haven't really gotten going yet. ...

"This is the first store in Adams, there's only 500 or so in the state. As far as retail, not everybody offers the product we offer at the price we offer. We're confident that we're going to thrive."

Two of the shop's clerks, Cameron Lutz and Dani Cook, rocking its blue and green colors in their hair, said they really enjoyed their jobs. "It's the best job I've had," said Cook.

Cook had been there since the dispensary opened, Lutz joined a few weeks ago. Raheb said there were about 10 people employees total and that he hadn't had any problems in finding good staff. The dispensary's been getting 10 or 15 applications a day, he said, noting there are a lot checks that applicants have to go through before being hired.

Getting the business open — from the licensing, permitting and renovation — took a lot of effort and a lot of partners, Raheb said. "It's rewarding but it's a difficult process and not for the faint of heart."

Though a Vermont resident, he said Adams was his choice from the beginning.

"The majority of the people are extremely happy we're here and they thank us every day for being here," he said.

Town Administrator Jay Green noted that Adams was among the first communities to create a cannabis bylaw but has only recently begun to see the benefits. Its first marijuana cultivation facility opened a few weeks ago and now the first dispensary.

"It's always a great day for the town when we open any new business," he said, "Adams is a community of small businesses and that's what keeps us going."

It was enjoyable to watch Raheb work through the process and achieve his dream, Green said. "We know what it means to you do to this and to do it here in Adams ...

"We get a lot of satisfaction of watching somebody achieve their dream."

Indica Cannabis is located at 127 Columbia St. and its hours are 10 to 8 Monday through Saturday and 10 to 6 on Sunday. More information here: 413-776-7066.

Tags: cannabis, marijuana dispensary, ribbon cutting,

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Historic Simmons Cottage

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:22PM / Friday, July 18, 2025

The house has plenty of vintage charm and a new roof, heating system and updated kitchen and bathrooms.

ADAMS, Mass — Are you looking for a charming cottage to spend your days in? Then this is the house for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are discussing a single-family home at 2 Melrose St., directly behind the Adams Free Library.

This 1890 Simmons Cottage has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It comes with dryer, built-in electric oven, washer, refrigerator, range, microwave. The house is 2,406 square feet with 0.24 acres.

The kitchen was recently updated as well as the roof and heating system. The house has multiple preserved features, including built-in cabinets and curved front porch, and is a short walk to stores and restaurants.

The Simmons family had lived in the house until 1973. They had owned and operated Simmons Furniture Store on Park Street and Simmons Funeral Home.

The asking price is $575,000.

We spoke to listers Nick Geranios and Diane Thorson with William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty along with the current owners.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

This home offers something truly rare: a blend of historic charm, unique architectural craftsmanship, and a walk-to-town location that's increasingly hard to find. The Simmons Cottage, built in 1890, is filled with preserved period features — from Lincrusta ceilings and walls to original woodwork and stained glass windows — all thoughtfully maintained and enhanced by recent updates like a renovated kitchen, modern baths, and major system upgrades. It's a turnkey opportunity to own a piece of Adams history in the heart of the Berkshires.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Yes — one of the more fascinating bits of history is about the carriage barn, which was once used by a local funeral parlor in the front house. It originally housed four horse stalls, and when the business transitioned to motorized vehicles, the entire structure was moved to its current location. Today, that barn serves as a five-car garage with potential for creative future use — a link to the past that remains very much part of the property's charm.

Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?

Absolutely. The home is rich with architectural detail, including original Lincrusta ceiling and wall treatments in the entry hall and dining room, stained-glass windows in both the living room and powder room, and decorative plaster ceilings that add to the elegance of each room.

Every space is thoughtfully preserved, including a paneled den/office, butler's pantry with a wet bar, and a grand foyer with a fireplace and window seat. At the same time, the kitchen has been fully updated with granite counters, a breakfast bar, and custom cabinetry, and the roof and heating system have been recently replaced — so the big-ticket work is already done.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

This is a home that invites memory-making. With its flowing layout, sun-drenched rooms, and welcoming front porch, it's ideal for both everyday living and holiday celebrations. The house offers a mix of elegance and warmth that's perfect for a growing family, creative retreat, or anyone who wants to live surrounded by beauty and character. It's a place where every corner feels intentional and lived-in, yet ready for new stories to be written.

How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?

The best way to describe it? "Walking into this house is like walking into a hug." There's a comfort and quiet grace that fills every room. Whether you're stepping into the wood-paneled den, enjoying the light pouring into the kitchen, or sitting beside the foyer fireplace, it just feels like home — layered with history, but completely welcoming and warm.

What do the current owners love most about the home?

They love the location, nestled in a walkable neighborhood close to restaurants, shops, and some of the Berkshires' best destinations. But more than anything, they love the space and spirit of the house itself — the way it has held decades of family life, hosted holidays, and always remained a place of joy and comfort. After 45 years, it still feels like the heart of their story.

What was their first impression when they saw the home?

They knew it was the one the moment they walked in. The original features, the soaring ceilings, the way the house flows — everything spoke to them. Over the years, as they made updates, they were always mindful to honor the home's originality and soul. It was clear from day one: this was where they wanted to raise their family and build their life.

You can find out more about this house on its listing.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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