Pittsfield Nonprofit Aims to Reopen King Kone

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A nonprofit is trying to reopen King Kone as a workers' cooperative.

Roots & Dreams and Mustard Seeds of Pittsfield is leading the effort after receiving a grant to acquire the beloved business that closed shop last year. A fundraiser with merchandise has been launched to support costs associated with the reopening.

There are already a handful of employees on board.

"Six wonderful local Pittsfield residents committed to this project, joined the co-op business program, to work towards this goal. Our not-for-profit currently works with groups in seven different sectors of co-op businesses — catering, child care, construction, cleaning, artisans, farming, and restaurant (King Kone,)" the fundraiser reads.

"Members of these co-ops are a part of marginalized communities and struggle with all the issues that accompany poverty. In almost all cases they do not even have the upfront money for the co-op buy-in, and must utilize a percentage of their weekly checks for that, as it's an important part of creating their capital funds."

In 2023, the nonprofit was allocated $179,000 to purchase the soft-serve ice cream shop at 133 Fenn St. and convert it into a worker cooperative. It owns a series of storefronts ranging from 117 to 129 Fenn St.

Roots & Dreams and Mustard Seeds will also expand its current arts programming through the creation of a community art gallery and exhibition space in the adjacent retail space in the same building.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.