Jim Winchester Has A Bird's-Eye View From Store Near The Border

Print Story | Email Story
Since he discovered Pownal, Vt. in the early 1970s, Jim Winchester, owner of Winchester’s Store on U.S. Route 7, has seen the local economy go from robust to bust, then back to healthy again. He remembers when the Green Mountain Racetrack was still a major destination for horse racing fans, and the Pownal Tannery a solid local employer. Then the local economy began to falter in the 1980s when the track downsized to dog racing, and then things got worse in the early 1990s when the track closed, along with the tannery. But now in 2001, Winchester sees a new spark in the economy along the Route 7 strip in what is known as Pownal Center. “Route 7 is healthy again, mainly because of Williamstown. I call this part of Pownal, ‘North Williamstown,’ ” he says. “The influence of Williamstown on Pownal and other towns in its perimeter is remarkable.” “We have a good little group of businesses here, and it helps to be near other stores,” he said. “Stewart’s is where people get their gas; Steve Leonard’s done a great job with the hardware store; there’s Joe Tornabene’s auto dealership, and Jelley’s. The Hillside House, which used to be an old lumberyard, and the Red Barn, are a well-known destination for gifts and furniture.” “I see a lot of Massachusetts plates when I drive along this strip, more than Vermont plates,” he noted. “I also think the new post office [right around the corner on Route 346] has been a big help in getting people to Pownal the last few months. Many people in the northern part of Williamstown find it easier to go to Pownal to do their business, especially while Spring Street is under construction,” he said. He noted that many of his regular customers who are Pownal residents happen to work in Williamstown — at places like the Savings Bank, Countryside Landscape, Steinerfilm, and Williams College. Winchester’s Store, which sells the usual needs of passersby — snacks, beverages, and smaller items — is one of a disappearing breed of locally owned, neighborhood convenience stores. “Look at what’s happened in Williamstown over the years,” he pointed out. “McNichol’s Store on North Hoosac Road, Eddie’s Market, the Slippery Banana, and the Grand Union have all closed. Now, even if you need just a couple of things, you have to drive to Stop n’ Shop.” A native of Gloucester, Winchester was drawn to Pownal because of the Racetrack. After spending four years in the Air Force, he said he was drawn by the “energy and excitement” of the racing circuit in his youthful years. He worked at the Racetrack, as well as at the Pownal Tannery and for the late Jack Watson’s construction business. “In the ’70s, anyone in Pownal could find a job,” he said. “The tannery and the racetrack were still open, General Cable was strong, there was a lot going on. When horse racing left Pownal, I had to make a decision whether my wife and I were going to stay here or move on. We had two young kids; Pownal had just finished building the elementary school. The kids were doing well there, so we decided to stay.” In 1979, Winchester bought the building on Route 7, which had been a general store and Gulf station, fixed it up and started his own business. “I had worked in a grocery store when I was a teenager,” he said. “And I had experience in a deli as well. In my time, kids worked a lot of different jobs during the summers.” Cheerful and folksy, Winchester is always happy to talk local politics or happenings with his clientele — most of whom he knows by name — as he prepares them one of the popular sandwiches in the store’s deli. Indeed, those who haven’t had a Winchester’s sandwich are missing out on one of the best local secrets. He says his customers also include dozens of truck drivers from across the country, who stop in the store for a sandwich on their way through town. Over the years, Winchester has watched many of Pownal, and Williamstown’s residents grow up; he’s seen some go on to great things and some fall behind. “This is a quirky town,” he said of Pownal. “It doesn’t really have a center, and because of that people feel less of a connection with each other. It’s hard to be a community. After the elementary school, half the kids go to Mount Anthony in Bennington, another group goes to Hoosick Falls, N.Y., and then some go to the Williamstown schools. ... A lot of the socialness in Pownal is around the fire departments, which is a big part of the town.” He said the recent debate over the sewer system project shows the disconnectedness of Pownal residents. “We all know we have to do something about this problem, but it’s hard to reach a consensus. This may be the first big thing we come together collaboratively on, and I think it will come together.” Winchester says he wishes Southern Vermont and North Berkshire County could get together more often with economic development and other planning projects. “We’ve always drawn a line between Massachusetts and Vermont, when in fact we have a lot in common. The Bennington paper never seems to print news that’s going on next door in Williamstown, and vice versa, so most of us are out of touch.” “Our bond is that we both have a lot going for us, but [Bennington County] gets forgotten by Montpelier and [Berkshire County] gets neglected by Boston.” Winchester said that his business, like Pownal, has had its ups and downs, but for the most part business has been steady. “I try to stay positive, stay healthy. I like the people here; they’re good working people. I try to keep my prices low so they can afford to get their lunch here.” He said he looks forward to the day when a new use is found for the defunct racetrack, but he doesn’t think it will be horse racing. “You can’t go back,” he said. He thinks the property could best be used for some kind of recreation, such as music concerts, adding that the grandstand itself is in pretty good condition. “We’ve been very close [to finding a new owner willing to revamp the property] a few times.” Winchester said he got his business philosophy from a Pownal farmer, who once told him, “Treat me like a sheep. Keep shearing me; don’t skin me.” “I like that philosophy. ... If you skin the sheep, that’s it — it’s over. But if you just take a little wool every now and then, enough for you to get by, you’ll have that sheep for a long time.”
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

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

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

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

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

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

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

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

*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.

 

 

 

 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories

Business
image description

New Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

Business
Business
image description

North Adams Jewelry Store Has New Owner

Business
Community News
image description

North Adams Water Safe to Drink

Community News
Community News
image description

North Adams Lifts Boil Water Order for Most of City

Community News
Community News
image description

Clarksburg Average Tax Bill Up 4%

Community News
Community News
image description

Brown Street Bridge Reopens in North Adams

Community News
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?