Williamstown Property Auctioned for $550K

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A North Adams man had the high bid last week on the former Chenail's garden center.
 
Brian Intraversato outbid three other parties to purchase the 877 Simonds Road property for $550,000 on June 17. JJ Manning Auctioneers conducted the bidding. 
 
The property encompasses 7.1 acres of mixed-use land with eight structures, including a two-family home and two greenhouses. The south end of the property is bisected by Broad Brook; about 1.5 acres of the lot (21 percent) is on the south side of the waterway or includes the brook itself. It is assessed by the town at $632,900.
 
The late Richard Chenail and his wife, Donna, owned the property for 40 years. Their daughter Pam Shea continued to run the garden center after Richard's death in 2011. The stand closed last fall. 
 
Intraversato said he is excited and not planning any immediate changes to the property, which includes a hair salon and karate studio as tenants.
 
"It's gonna be as is, as of right now, but eventually, potentially, subdivision. We'll see where we go with it," he said.
 
"We're looking to make upgrades as needed, and work with the tenants. We'll make sure the tenants feel comfortable and they understand that it's not going to be a radical change."
 

Tags: auction,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Williamstown's Images Holds Ribbon-Cutting at Renovated Theater

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Before breaking the seal on a renovated Images Cinema, its leadership expressed gratitude to everyone who made it happen.
 
“Matt [Brogan] just said something to me about what a lucky day it is,” Images Board Chair Steve Simon said at the outset of Friday morning’s brief ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Spring Street movie house. “And I have to say, that is exactly the sentiment I have. What a lucky day.
 
“This has truly been a project of heart and love, envisioned, in many ways, by Kevin O’Rourke and Wit McKay. As we responded to what’s happened to theaters in this country with COVID and streaming, we were like, ‘We have to do something different and better.’ “
 
The result is a very different Images than the one that closed for renovations last October.
 
The most striking change is that where the facility once was a single, 150-seat theater, Images now boasts a 70-seat main screen, 18-seat second theater and 15-seat lounge. The new theaters also boast better seats and technical upgrades to enhance the viewing experience, like 4K laser projection in the big theater.
 
“In our main theater, thanks to a grant from Feigenbaum Foundation, we have a Dolby Atmos-certified system, the only of its kind in Berkshire County, and the only of its kind between New York and Boston,” Executive Director Dan Hudson said before joining Simon in cutting the ribbon. “It's truly a world class cinema that is a gift from the community back to the community. So proud and privileged to be part of all of this.”
 
The theater reopened in May but celebrated its rebirth Friday as part of the townwide, two-day celebration of America’s birth.
 
View Full Story

More Williamstown Stories