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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Proprietor's Lodge Dock Proposal Continued for Third Time

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A seasonal dock proposal at the Proprietor's Lodge has seen some changes but the neighborhood is still not on board.

Thursday's Conservation Commission meeting included concerns about the viability of the project and a resident accusing the project engineer of putting the public in danger by deeming a concrete wall structurally sound.

"Because of the amount of revisions and changes on what is a schematic drawing, I'm actually concerned. My concern just continues to grow at how viable of a proposal this actually is," abutter Cassidy Carlotto said.

"There are a number of order of conditions that are going behind this and there are a number of pieces in the proposal that continue to change."

A notice of intent application was continued for the third time pending certificates of compliance and the need for updated plans. The restaurant, located at 22 Waubeek Road on Ponstoosuc Lake, would like to install a 12-slip seasonal dock for customers.

An NOI for the same project was denied by the commission in 2019 and the applicant appealed it with the state Department of Environmental Protection, which then issued a superseding order of conditions.

That order has now expired.

Abutters have voiced opposition to the project at all three meetings, citing safety concerns with the right of way used by swimmers.

James Scalise of SK Design explained that there were some "loose ends" to correct after the last meeting. He returned with a couple of changes to the plan after meeting with the state Department of Environmental Protection on-site.

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