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David Brazeau and girlfriend Liz Funke stand behind the counter at Brazeau's new butcher shop on State Road.

Third-Generation Butcher Opening New Shop in North Adams

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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The shop opens on Wednesday at the corner of State Road and Hawthorne Avenue. Owner David Brazeau hopes to expand into a deli and small market.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — David Brazeau knows meat. The third generation butcher said he wants to provide the community with quality wholesome meat and cuts and fill a needed void.

"My grandfather, my father, and myself have all worked for Price Chopper supermarkets," said the North Adams native and owner of Brazeau's Butcher Shop at 746 State Road. "Also, people are concerned about what they are eating and where it comes from.

"They are not happy with the prepackaged commercial stuff that is being rammed down their throats. They can come here they know what they are getting."

Brazeau worked at the Price Chopper as the assistant meat manager for 15 years and also ran a seasonal butcher shop from his home. He decided it was time to parlay his experience into a new business after local supermarket closed earlier this year.

"I kind of always wanted to have my own shop ... and once they closed Price Chopper down, I thought it would be tough for a whole supermarket to find jobs," Brazeau said. "So I had a good following down there and people were asking me what I was going to do so I thought I would go for it."

He said he will carry Stock Yard Angus Beef products along with Prairie Farm products, a natural organic option.

People can expect the basics: rib eye and T-bone steaks, fresh ground hamburger. Even slab bacon, sausage patties, pork chops, and pre-shredded pulled pork.

If the customer wants something special, he will try to oblige.

"If people are asking for certain things we will try to make everybody happy the best we can and we can customize," Brazeau said. "If they don't see it, they can ask me to cut anything with the product we have."

He added there will be items that will vary such as steak Florentine, marinated London broil, and different dry rubs.

And the sausage.

"I have my grandfather's recipe from when he first started off at Central Market [Price Chopper's predecessor] and that was the recipe that they used," Brazeau said.

Brazeau's girlfriend Liz Funke said they will have comparable prices to the markets and will have something to fit everyone's budget.

"We want to have something for everyone, and we will have the pricier steaks for people who love that stuff and love to cook at home," Funke said. "But if people want come in and get something more reasonable, we will have something for their budget."

Brazeau said he has a bigger vision and hopes to eventually open up a complete market.

"What I would like to see happen here is it become Brazeau's Market, where we actually have a deli, possibly a bakery, cold cuts, sandwiches, soups, and things like that."

The grand opening will be Wednesday, May 25. The shop will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 to 6.


Tags: new business,   butcher,   food,   grand opening,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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