Annie Selke Closing, Laying Off 47

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Annie Selke on Peck's Road will close its doors and layoff 47 people before the end of the year. 
 
WAMC is reporting that the company, Fresh American LLC, filed its intention to close last week with the state, as required by law. 
 
Employees were to be notified on Tuesday and the permanent closure will include the company's headquarters and outlet in Pittsfield and its retail location in Lenox.
 
"It is anticipated this layoff will take place on or about December 31, 2024. Most positions and jobs at the headquarters, and all of the jobs at the outlet and retail location will be eliminated during this same time period," according to documents acquired by WAMC reporter Josh Landes. 
 
Designer and entrepreneur Annie Selke started with a bedding and sleep items business in 1994 as Pine Cone Hill. The largely wholesale home decor operation added Potluck Studios dinnerware in 2002 and Dash & Albert Rugs in 2003. 
 
She invested nearly $4 million into the former Interprint mill on Peck's Road that dates to the 1860s and moved in 2007. The company was purchased by Rugs USA in 2023
 
WAMC has confirmed that the rapid response team from MassHire has been notified. 

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Housing Secretary Applauds County's Collaborative Housing Efforts

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass.—State leadership recognized the collaborative spirit that drives Berkshire County to address hard-hitting issues with a multi-faceted approach.
 
On Thursday, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus visited Pittsfield Housing Authority (PHA) and Berkshire Community Action Council's central office.  
 
His overarching observation? The collaborative spirit that surrounds nonprofit providers, state, federal, and local government.
 
"It's not about turf, it's not about fiefdom, it's about who you're trying to serve and the difference you're trying to make with your targeted population," he said, adding that there is still a lot of work to do and they will need that state's help with funding and technical assistance.
 
PHA owns and administers public housing for over 200 families and more than 400 individual tenants.  Augustus walked through Columbia Arms, which houses elders and disabled community members through income-based rental apartments.
 
Earlier this year, Tina Danzy was hired as the executive director.  During a private meeting, she and other PHA representatives discussed the city's aging housing stock, CARES Act funding increases, and community coordinators' positive impact.
 
Augustus explained that both the housing authority and state are enthused about community coordinators, which track issues and assist with developing programs and events.  
 
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