Internet Cafe goes online in downtown Pittsfield

By Jack Guillet12:00AM / Friday, June 06, 2003Print Story | Email Story

With a recent announcement of a cinema complex and the filling out of the Central Block, lower North Street in Pittsfield is developing in a promising way. Now you can add an Internet cafe to that mix. Digital Blend had its grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 8, its first week in business positive and promising, said owner William Fezzie. Besides being a cafe serving coffee, espresso, sandwiches and baked goods where people can check their e-mail and surf the web, Fezzie's business boasts a conference room and web development and computer consulting services. The cafe is located at 76 North St., in the space across from the Central Block that previously housed DJ's Cafe. Fezzie said, "It's...an Internet cafe with a little bit more of a business twist just to try and, one, meet the need of the area because there's so many small businesses around here and, two, I think it provides a little bit more of a solid business model than the traditional, Internet cafe business model." The need he said he discovered through research, is that 46 percent of area businesses have four or less employees, and many have no information technology, or IT, departments and don't want to take on the cost of high-speed Internet. Digital Blend serves various blends and flavors of regular and decaf coffee - the brand is Chris's Coffee of Albany - Stash Teas, cappuccino, latte, Oregon Chai, and decaf and regular espresso, as well as Torani Flavored Syrups: chocolate, vanilla, hazelnut, Irish creme and caramel. These drinks range from $1 to $3.25. The cafe also serves bottled drinks like cream soda, juices, spritzers, iced tea and spring water. Besides soups, which rotate regularly, Fezzi serves sandwiches, wraps and panini for $4.50, each made to order, including a choice of filling, bread, spread and cheese. In the $1 to $1.50 range are muffins, croissant, David's Biscotti - made on Lombard Street in the city - homemade lemon squares, cookies, kettle potato chips and Odwalla Bars, which are organic energy bars. The cafe is comfortable and has a nice atmosphere with nice furniture and relaxing music. "I wanted it to be comfortable but stylish," said the Richmond resident, who turned 25 the day he opened the cafe. Guests can use one of six computers that are equipped with high-speed Internet. One-half hour of use costs $3, while an hour of use costs $5. The new cafe is equipped with IT infrastructure, wireless network capabilities, and a conference room for businesses that seats up to 20 people. It includes a conference table, a small, two-seating table, a desktop computer hooked up to a television monitor for video teleconferencing, and DVD and VHS players on which employers, rentees can show training videos. Computers on carts can be wheeled into the room if necessary. The cost varies for the room, he said, depending on the number of computers that are used, whether it's catered, and the total amount of computer time. In his first week of business, he said he's gotten a lot of inquiries about the conference room and is in the process of scheduling a few businesses. Fezzie said he was "pleasantly surprised by the response." Through his new business, Fezzie also offers web development services and computer consulting. For the web development service, he builds websites, including programming and graphic design. The price for that service depends on the size and complexity of the site, including how much programming language, database work, and whether he has to write copy. As a computer consultant, Fezzie does basic troubleshooting and a range of other tasks, charging on a per-hour basis, he said. The graduate of Boston College, where he began as a business major and graduated with a degree in information systems, did essentially all of the work himself, finding food distributors and equipment and renovating and decorating the space, which took two and one-half months, he said. Digital Blend gradually came together, he said, as a result of a lot of researching, especially on the Internet, and tinkering around with various aspects of the business. Fezzie has a monthly lease with Scarafoni Realty of North Adams. His friend, Alison Hayes, of Lenoxdale, is currently and temporarily helping him get his business up and running. At this time, the cafe is open Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and a little later on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information about Digital Blend, call 445-9991 or go to www.digital-blend.com.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

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.

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