State Road Car Wash & Self Storage opens in North Adams

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A North County real estate broker and businessman has opened State Road Car Wash & Self Storage at 213 State Road, prompted by his belief that the new business not only brings diversity to his operations, but that the storage units dovetail with real estate brokerage and management. Michael John Zeppieri, who owns RCI Real Estate with offices in North Adams and Williamstown, said the $850,000 cost of the all-new construction was financed by Hoosac Bank. The two-acre parcel is reached by a driveway between Friendly’s and Monro Muffler. The sign went up last week. The land is leased from city property developer David Carver. The new business is a separate division of RCI. “The real estate business is cyclical, and there’s definitely a need for self storage,” said Zeppieri. The 86-unit self-storage business, he said, allows RCI to offer “an overall package.” While, of course, anyone can rent a unit, purchasers or sellers of houses through RCI may find their need for temporary storage easily accommodated. “It’s a good tie-in,” said Zeppieri. “I’m trying to be more than just a local realtor.” “We do mainly real estate, but I thought the company could grow in other ways. I wanted to offer things that nobody else would.” “If someone is looking to sell their house we can store their furniture while they’re renovating it to put on the market,” he said, offering an example. Similarly, if a buyer has to wait to move into a new house, that furniture can also be conveniently stored, Zeppieri said. Customers who sign a year’s lease get one month free. Units ranging in size from 5 feet by 10 feet to 10 feet by 20 feet rent for between $45 and $95 a month. Some units are large enough to store automobiles. After being open three months, half the units are rented, he said. Zeppieri is launching his new venture just as he prepares to turn 30, next week. This is his 13th year in the real estate business. He was the youngest realtor in Massachusetts at age 18. He continues the firm founded by his father, the late John Zeppieri. After college at Florida Atlantic College in Boca Raton, Fla., he returned to the area, and is happy to see its resurgence. Zeppieri said he built the car wash, spending about $325,000 on the latest and most advanced equipment, because the city may lose one of its car washes, Bestway on River Street, if plans for a park at the site materialize. The car wash has five self-service bays with floors heated to 38 degrees to prevent ice from forming. Zeppieri said a spot-free rinse operates through “reverse osmosis.” Self-service washes cost $2.50. Five vacuums, costing $1.25, include various options. Two can perform carpet shampoos, and another has a fragrance machine. The sixth bay is fully automatic, allowing customers to stay in their cars throughout the operation and to pay by credit or debit card. That automated car wash ranges in price from $5 to $10, with the higher price including wax, heated drying, and undercarriage cleaning. The new businesses employ one worker. Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., said Zeppieri. Telephone is 663-8631.
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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 
 
The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 
 
"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."
 
LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 
 
"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.
 
The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.
 
"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back. 
 
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