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The Burlington Store opens this Friday in Berkshire Crossing.

Burlington Store Debuts in Pittsfield on Friday

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The new Burlington store will open in Berkshire Crossing later this week.  

During the morning ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 22, the store will present a $5,000 donation to teachers at Craneville Elementary for much-needed back-to-school supplies. Following the grand opening, the first 100 shoppers over the age of 18 will receive a $10 Bonus Card on Friday and Saturday. 

The discount retailer touts discounts of up to 60 percent off brand-name merchandise and regular new arrivals. 

News came that a new retail store was coming to the city earlier this year when the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a sign exemption for Burlington Stores, formerly Burlington Coat Factory. The space at 55 Hubbard Ave. was vacated by Staples in December after 30 years in business. 

"To celebrate the grand opening of their new store location and highlight their ongoing commitment to education, the retailer will be donating $5,000 to a nearby high-needs school through their long-standing partnership with the national non-profit organization AdoptAClassroom.org," a press release from Burlington Stores Inc. reads. 

"Funds will be used to provide students with classroom materials they need to learn and succeed.?The presentation of the donation to the local school community will take place at the ribbon-cutting ceremony." 

AdoptAClassroom helps offset the financial burden that teachers incur, often about $860 per year, to equip classrooms with the supplies needed for student success. The nonprofit has raised $73 million since 1998, and 90 percent of the funded classrooms are considered "high needs." 


"As a company who cares about their customers and associates, Burlington is dedicated to adding value to the communities in which they live and work. Throughout the year, Burlington supports a variety of philanthropic initiatives that empower those locally to live better lives and build brighter futures," the company wrote. 

Craneville Elementary, located in Dalton, has more than 450 students enrolled in Grades kindergarten through 5 from Dalton, Windsor and Cummington. It is part of the Central Berkshire Regional School District.

"With class sizes of approximately 20, we provide a variety of services including remedial reading, Title I, special education, speech and language, occupational therapy, and physical therapy," the school's website reads. 

"In our pursuit to develop well-rounded citizens, students enjoy art, music, PE, and library weekly.  Our children are taught by a highly-qualified staff in a nurturing environment." 

The Pittsfield store will bring the total number of Burlington locations in Massachusetts to 26; there are 1,115 stores nationwide with the closest in Holyoke and in Latham, N.Y. It will carry ladies' apparel, including petites and plus sizes, menswear with big and tall sizing options, kids' and juniors' apparel, baby items, footwear, beauty and fragrance, home decor, and pet care and toys. 

According to the company's website, four part-time positions are open for the Pittsfield location, offering a base pay of $15 per hour: retail stocking associate, retail shortage control, cashier associate, and retail sales associate. 

The Pittsfield location is said to feature a "reimagined" store layout that features "refreshed format, featuring thoughtfully organized aisles and bold signage making it easier than ever to navigate the store and get inspiration for the latest must-have trends." 

The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.  The grand opening on Friday will begin at 8:45 a.m. 


Tags: new business,   big box retailer,   grand opening,   

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Pittsfield Council Reviews Public Safety Budget, Keeps SpotShotter

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On the fourth day of budget deliberations, the City Council preliminarily approved public safety and public service budgets. 

See the first two days of budget review here; and the third day here.

Councilors deliberated the Pittsfield Police Department's $16,439,421 spending plan for more than 90 minutes. Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren unsuccessfully motioned to cut $220,000 for ShotSpotter services. 

He said the acoustic gunshot detection technology is not well used throughout the country, citing other communities that have opted out or are exploring it. 

Pittsfield has two more years on its contract; while councilors voted down the budget reduction several were willing to explore the impact data and see if those funds could be used elsewhere. 

Police Chief Marc Maddalena reported that there has been a significant decrease in shots fired calls, and attributed it to the surveillance technology assisting enforcement. He said it also comes in faster than 911 calls. 

"If people know that just by that noise alone that we're responding within seconds, that's preventing them from utilizing that weapon," he said. 

"So that in of itself is saving lives." 

It has an about 20 percent accuracy rate, and police respond to every activation. 

On Sunday, at least two homes in the area of Memorial Drive and Doyle Drive were struck by gunfire and investigators located 17 shell casings on scene. This was brought up during conversation; it was reported that there were 13 impulses on ShotSpotter during the incident. 

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