Letter: Supermarket Package License Would Affect Small Business

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter in response to a recent article on iberkshires.com ("Pot Shop Proposes Moving Into Adams Oasis Property" June 8). While the headline would lead one to believe that the most significant information in this story would be the opening of a marijuana store in the Oasis building in Adams, the article covers a far more complex topic. In this article we learn that the Adam's Hometown Market has requested a license to carry beer and wine, in addition to the request from Holistic Health Inc. to obtain a permit for a pot shop.

I support a new business opening in Adams and believe that it would generate much-needed business and revenue for the town. What I do not support is the request from the Adam's supermarket chain to carry beer and wine. There is far too little entrepreneurship in Adams as it is and cannibalizing small business will only exacerbate this issue. It is true that a business must be profitable to sustain. I believe that chain stores and corporations have strict guidelines that limit their ability to be flexible and creatively provide products to customers to help them survive in smaller communities.

While there are many who support the Adam's Hometown Market, they also seek to keep their individual expenses down so having the Super Walmart just over the town line with North Adams has made it difficult for the store to compete. Being able to get groceries at later hours and lower cost has reduced the sales of the smaller store and I believe this was a major factor in why Big Y was unable to sustain its business in the town.

Adam's Hometown Market's request would essentially create for the small-business owners the same situation that Walmart has created for the supermarket. I care greatly for this town and I think it is important that the grocery store thrives but not at the expense of other established local businesses within the Adams community.

Elizabeth LeSage
Adams, Mass.

Adams Housing Authority Rededicates McAndrews Community Center

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:30PM / Saturday, May 18, 2024

The new dedication sign includes the names of the first director and board chair of the Housing Authority. 

ADAMS, Mass. — It started with changing out the old box lights in the community room at Columbia Valley.

 

It ended with fully refurbished room along with a refreshed kitchen and ladies room. 

 

Residents of the senior living facility gathered in the new community room on Wednesday to rededicate it to James McAndrew and welcome Housing Secretary Edward Augustus.

 

"This room hadn't been touched since the 1980s," said Adams Housing Authority Executive Director William Schrade, describing it as a place to gather that "wasn't friendly, wasn't smiling." 

 

So first came the box lights, and then in consultation with maintenance chief Matthew Puricelli. Then it was replacing the old leaky windows, and why not take off the old wallpaper and paint, and if you're doing that, might as well pull up the old carpet and put down a new one. 

 

"We thought we were done. I said kitchen really needed to be done because they has a 1970s look," said Schrade. "[Puricelli] took charge of that, too, and got creative and with the tools that were given to him.

 

"He knocked it out and then made the worst mistake and said, 'I've done all this I might as well finish and do the women's bathroom.' I said I think that's a great idea. [Secretary Augustus] is coming in three weeks, so you're gonna have to jump on this."