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A wall of boards at The Garden on Eagle Street. The skateboard shop is an offshoot of the longtime North Street fixture in Pittsfield.
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The store offers a variety of merchandise including Vans, apparel and accessories.

The Garden Sets Up Shop in North Adams

By Gregory FournieriBerkshires Correspondent
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The skateboard shop opened in June in the newly renovated space. It will close for the winter in late fall as the owner shifts to snowboard sales in Pittsfield. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A classic Berkshire County business has opened a new branch in North County.

The Garden, a 20-year-old skateboard shop on North Street in Pittsfield, opened a space on Eagle Street in mid-June in the former Mia's Exchange.

Owner Bill Whittaker said opening a store in North Adams was a no-brainer.

"We just kind of saw an opportunity with the growth of" the city, particularly with the skatepark," he said. "We liked what we saw … with other businesses and restaurants coming in here, and it was pretty much not a huge investment … rent is pretty cheap."

Business has been steady, though Whittaker said he is still trying to get the word out. The Garden sells skateboards and skateboard equipment, including decks and wheels. It also sell apparel, like hats, sweat shirts, pants, and shoes, and other accessories.

Whittaker said that the sport of skateboarding is growing at a rapid pace, especially with women.

"I've never seen anything like it before with women," he said. "It's great."

"There's really good energy around" skateboarding now, Whittaker continued. He attributed this to the Olympics, as well as cabin fever built up around COVID-based lockdowns. People want to get back into outdoor activities, he said.

To build on that enthusiasm, The Garden has sponsored free women's skate clinics at the North Adams skatepark, where "everybody is welcome for whatever ability level." These events have been largely impromptu and have offered women the chance to learn new skills without the "intimidation" that men can inadvertently bring to bear, he said.

Whittaker told iBerkshires that he is looking forward to working with the city to promote his own business and others in the city.

"Everybody wants to work together and do fun things," Whittaker said regarding local businesses. He said The Garden will look for other events to participate in, including the First Friday events in downtown.

The Garden will be seasonal in North Adams, likely closing shop sometime after Black Friday. At that point, it will sell snowboards and ski equipment at Bosquet's new lodge in Pittsfield. The store is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 to 6 and Sunday from 11 to 4. The website is www.gardenma.com.


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Clarksburg Joining Drug Prevention Coalition

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board has agreed to join a collaborative effort for drug prevention and harm reduction.
 
The new coalition will hire a North County community coordinator who will be headquartered on the North Adams Regional Hospital campus and who oversee allocations for harm reduction, education and prevention efforts. Berkshire Health Systems has also committed about $120,000 over the next five years. 
 
Clarksburg, one of the first communities to sign on to the opioid lawsuit filed by a consortium of states several years ago, has so far received payouts of $23,594.78. It's expected to receive nearly $64,000 by the end of the 16-year payout. 
 
In October, the board had discussed whether to pool that money with other communities, expressing concerns that the small town would not receive enough benefits.
 
"Anytime there's a pooling of money I think countywide, I think we know where the bulk goes to," said member Colton Andrew said Monday. "I'm more open to the idea of keeping the money here but open to hearing your intentions and how the mony will be allocated."
 
Chair Robert Norcross said he felt there seemed to be a focus on harm reduction, such as the use of Narcan, and not enough for prevention or problem-solving.
 
But after hearing from members of the nascent coalition, members voted Monday night to partner with other Northern Berkshire communities.
 
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