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A reconstructed A-Mart store reopened on North Street this week after a year after a fire gutted the store.
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A-Mart Convenience Store Officially Reopens: A Look Inside

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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The store is all new construction with expanded offerings. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After a devastating arson fire last October that burnt A-Mart Convenience Store to the ground, the North Street hallmark is once again open for business.
 
A-Mart officially reopened to the public on Tuesday. Owner Yogesh Patel said the store itself hasn't changed much besides the expansion of retail space in what used to be a barbershop in the L-shaped building. 
 
The business has been a part of downtown Pittsfield for some three decades, making grocery, deli and other items accessible to residents of the lower-income area who may not have means of transportation.
 
Sonal Patel LLC of Chelmsford purchased the A-Mart in September 2017 for $1,113,691.
 
Since the convenience store portion of the one-story building was destroyed, the structure had to be completely rebuilt. The new A-Mart features high ceilings, automatic doors, an expanded deli area, and an expanded beer, wine, and liquor section.
 
Patel said a new sign is going to be installed out front but signage from the original A-Mart will be displayed inside to preserve its memory.
 
Though some construction is still being done on the exterior, A-Mart is ready to welcome its loyal customers and new customers back to the establishment.

Tags: business changes,   convenience store,   reopening,   

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Pittsfield to Decide Crosby/Conte Feasibility Study in October

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — City and school officials are expected to vote on a feasibility study for the Crosby Elementary School rebuild by Halloween.

On Monday, Superintendent Joseph Curtis gave an overview of the study's timeline and components. It would determine the feasibility of rebuilding Conte Community School and Crosby on the West Street site with shared facilities.

"We at this point, do not know the feasibility study will actually occur," he told the Middle School Restructuring Committee.

"There has to be discussions of the School Building Needs Commission, who is actually meeting [Tuesday night], there has to be discussion with the School Committee, and then finally, approval by the City Council by roughly Oct. 31 to fund the feasibility study."

The study, estimated to cost about $1.5 million, is a part of the 80 percent reimbursable costs from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which accepted the project into its queue late last year.

The Crosby/Conte plan has the potential to house grades prekindergarten to first grade in one school and Grades 2 to 4 in another, with both maintaining their own identities and administrations.

Curtis explained that what begins now is a 270-day timeline with a "whole host of tasks" that have to be completed in that window.

"The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Feasibility Study is a key phase in the process of addressing the needs of public school buildings in Massachusetts. It is a collaborative effort between the MSBA and the participating school district to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective solution to a school facility problem," an overview provided by the Pittsfield Public Schools explains.

"The Feasibility Study ensures that the district and the MSBA have a well-researched and collaborative plan for addressing the school facility's needs. It provides a framework for designing a solution that signs with education goals, meets community expectations, and is financially responsible."

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