Ollie's Bargain Outlet Taking Over Pittsfield Big Lots

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The lease for the Big Lots on Dalton Avenue has been purchased by Ollie's Bargain Outlet
 
Ollie's, based in Harrisburg, Pa., acquired 40 leases for Big Lots stores and Burlington Stores Inc. another dozen. 
 
Big Lots filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last September. It operated nearly 1,400 stores nationwide but began closing more than 300 by August with plans for another 250 by January. 
 
It announced back in December it would be closing the Pittsfield store after a purchase agreement with a competitor fall through. 
 
The closeout retailer moved into the former Price Rite Marketplace on Dalton Avenue in 2021 from Allendale Shopping Center. 
 
Gordon Brothers bought out Big Lots in early January with Variety Wholesalers of Henderson, N.C., acquiring some 200 of the stores to operate them under the Big Lots banner. 
 
Ollie's will now operate 63 former Big Lots, including the one in Pittsfield and another in Rutland, Vt. It operates about 568 stores in 31 states.
 
Burlington, formerly Burlington Coat Factory, has already planned to open a location in the former Staples in Berkshire Crossing. 
 
In a statement, Ollie's CEO and President Eric van der Valk said the new locations line up well with Ollie's growth strategy.
 
"Similar to what we have done with previous store acquisitions over the past year, we will adjust our existing new store openings and prioritize the opening of the acquired stores in a manner that makes the most operational and financial sense," he said. "This acquisition, along with the investments we have made to position the company for sustainable long-term growth provides us with the opportunity to accelerate new store openings in 2025 above our 10 percent annual growth target and open approximately 75 units."
 

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Pittsfield Firefighters Knock Down Morningside Blaze

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Fire Department knocked down a two-alarm blaze in the Morningside neighborhood in less than an hour on Friday. 

Just before 3 p.m., the department received a report of a fire at 25 Pine St. Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner said he arrived at the scene first and saw heavy fire showing from the rear of the more than 100-year-old home. 

"We just went to work, pretty much," he explained. 

"Because of the heavy volume of fire and the potential for a high number of occupants, I called a double alarm, which called all available Pittsfield firefighters directly to the scene. And I would say the fire was knocked down and under control within an hour." 

Eight occupants were evacuating the home when firefighters arrived, and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. People, including the occupants, stood on the sidewalk and watched the scene unfold. 

When iBerkshires arrived, firefighters were on the ladder, extinguishing the top level of the home from the side and rear.  

There were five fire engines and one ladder truck. Hinsdale also came to assist, and Lenox and Dalton were called for standby. 

Garner believes the building is salvageable and repairable, but recognized that the family won't be able to stay there tonight. An extended family appears to live in the home. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined; the Fire Investigation Division was on site. The Red Cross will provide assistance to the residents of the home. 

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