NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Last year a popular coffee and tea shop, The Elf Parlor, closed its doors for good.

But on Wednesday, a new coffee and tea shop, The Parlor Cafe, opened in its place.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MountainOne Financial Partners announced that it plans to unite its banking operations under a single charter in 2013. Following the merge of Hoosac Bank and Williamstown Savings Bank operations earlier this year, the company is moving forward in bringing its South Coastal Bank unit into a common MountainOne Bank charter for all three banks. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The newly formed North Adams Chamber of Commerce has elected Glenn Maloney of North Adams as president for 2013. Also elected as officers were Vice President Keith Bona, Treasurer David Atwell and Secretary Veronica Bosley.

"On behalf of the North Adams Chamber of Commerce I would like to thank outgoing president Brian Miksic for his vision and energy," said Maloney in a statement. "Over the last three years Brian has worked tirelessly with many members of the North Adams business community to grow the vision that was Develop North Adams. Brian's leadership was invaluable as we worked to transform DNA into the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. We all look forward to being the voice of and central hub for the city’s business community."

Maloney is service manager for McAndrews-King Pontiac Buick GMC Trucks in Adams; Bona is owner of Berkshire Emporium and Antiques on Main Street in North Adams and Bona Marketing; Atwell is owner of Desperados Fresh Mexican Grille in North Adams and Williamstown; and Bosley is director of tourism and community events for the city of North Adams.

"We have an energetic group of volunteers leading and serving on our board of directors," said Maloney. "This next year will be an important one as we encourage local businesses to join us to promote the city, build our downtown and other retail centers, and enjoy the revitalization that is the goal of so many."

Maloney noted that even as the chamber membership drive builds, the organization has collaborated with the city’s Office of Tourism to organize and promote Hometown Holidays. He added that other businesses have joined forces in a cooperative advertising and marketing campaign.

In addition to the elected officers, the chamber's board of directors includes Miksic, Michael Bedford, Blair Benjamin, Tom Bernard, David Carver, John DeRosa, Ryley Gaudreau, Steve Green, Paul Hopkins, Eric Rudd, Jana St. Jermain, Bill St. Pierre, Jonathan Secor and Gail Sellers.

The North Adams Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members. Information is available at www.northadamschamber.com or by email at info@northadamschamber.com.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The well-known Travel Store location at 616-620 Main St. was sold to K&J Holdings LLC, a real estate investment and property management partnership, on Dec. 3 for $350,000.

The seller was Claudine R. Auge, owner of the Travel Store. It was built in 1969 and is just over 2,000 square feet with rear parking.

"We're excited about the property," said Allen Jezouit of K&J in a press release. "It is a great location within easy walking distance to the Williams College campus and Spring Street."

The Travel Store will continue operations on the first floor and Berkshire Direct, a local marketing agency, will be relocating from its 173 Water St. location to Main Street in early January.

"We own the Water Street property where Berkshire Direct is located, so their move to Main Street is opening up a nice suite of offices there," said Jezouit, owner of the business. "That's my next priority – getting those offices rented out. Then, we look at more properties to purchase. It is a great time to buy real estate."

The Main Street building features two offices on the first floor and three residential apartments on the second floor. Jezouit said one of the apartments is currently available for rent by contacting K&J Holdings.
 
Maureen Baran and the team at Adams Community Bank provided financing. The buyers were represented by Alan Marden of Alton & Westall Agency and Stan Parese of Parese, Sabin, Smith and Gold LLP. The listing broker was Paul Harsch of Harsch Associates and Robert Ware was attorney for the seller.

BOSTON — Massachusetts residents will have to pay a little more next holiday season for their online purchases.

Gov. Deval Patrick and Amazon announced on Tuesday an agreement for the online retail giant to collect and remit state sales taxes beginning next Nov. 1. According to the press statement, Amazon also plans to create hundreds of high-tech jobs in Massachusetts in coming years.

Online retailers for years have been under pressure to collect state sales taxes even if they don't have a physical presence in the state. Brick-and-mortar merchants say Web retailers failure to collect taxes puts them at a disadvantage, states that they're losing billions in revenue.

The Congressional Research Service says states lost some $8.6 billion in tax revenue in 2010 alone.

Amazon already collects sales taxes for California, Kansas, Kentucky, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. Massachusetts and five other states will be added in the next couple years.

"We are thankful Amazon was willing to come to the table and we will continue our conversations with them about creating jobs here," said Patrick in a statement. "This agreement is a win for all sides, and I am pleased it promises to generate millions in long-term revenue for the commonwealth."

Patrick and Amazon officials reiterated support for federal legislation to resolve the sales tax issue. The Supreme Court in 1967 determined that collecting sales tax would place an undue burden on what were then catalog sales but technology has vastly changed the remote retail industry.

"We appreciate Governor Patrick's commitment to Massachusetts jobs and investment and his support for legislation now before Congress that would provide a final resolution to the sales tax issue," said Paul Misener, Amazon vice president of global public policy. "We look forward to creating hundreds of high tech jobs in Massachusetts and continuing to work with Governor Patrick, state leaders, retailers and Congress to pass federal legislation permitting interstate sales tax collection."