News/Business
New Realtor Association CEO looks to work collaboratively to maximize housing options
By ABNER ROJAS
SPRINGFIELD — As the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley’s new CEO arrives to a Massachusetts housing market plagued by high prices and a lack of stock, he aims to work alongside elected officials to maximize the availability of different kinds of...
New owners look to build on Thomas Memorial Golf & Country Club’s strengths
By GRACE LEE
TURNERS FALLS — Members of the Snow family have added another golf course to their portfolio and have already begun work on cosmetic improvements.Kyle and Kelly Snow, along with Kyle’s parents Edward Snow Jr. and Kerrilynn Snow, bought the Thomas...
Prices up, sales down in early spring housing market
By COLIN A. YOUNG
The signs of spring are all around: the days are getting warmer, baseball is back and Massachusetts home prices are setting records as demand continues to outpace the inventory of houses for sale.The real estate analysts at The Warren Group reported...
Real Estate Transactions: April 19, 2024
ATHOL 124 Cottage St. $422,000. B: Raul A. Luzardo. S: Richard Holdings LLC. 804 Cottage St. $380,000. B: Choctaw American Insurance Inc. S: Cal-Mek Enterprises Inc. 88 Drury Ave. $250,000. B: Kurtis D. Plourde and Olivia Plourde. S: John J....
Business Briefs: April 19, 2024
Tractor Supply Co. hosting two events GREENFIELD — Tractor Supply Co. at 72 Newton St. will host a backyard poultry event and a Plant-a-Seed event, both on Saturday, April 20.The backyard poultry event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing...
Cleary Jewelers plans to retain shop at former Wilson’s building until 2029
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
GREENFIELD — More than a year after she was told her business would need to vacate its storefront in the former Wilson’s Department Store, Cleary Jewelers owner Kerry Semaski said she plans to keep her shop at its current location until July 2029...
Tea Guys of Whately owes $2M for breach of contract, judge rules
By DOMENIC POLI
WHATELY — Tea Guys LLC must pay more than $2 million to a Baltimore tea company due to a breach of contract, a Franklin County Superior Court judge has ruled.The small business in Whately was sued last summer by Zest Tea LLC and had two bank accounts...
Primo Restaurant & Pizzeria in South Deerfield under new ownership
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — After more than a decade in the previous owner’s hands, the Rodas family is taking the reins at Primo Restaurant & Pizzeria with plans to continue the eatery’s legacy.The new owners officially took over the pizza, sub and pasta shop...
Patrons can ‘walk down memory lane’ at Sweet Phoenix’s new Greenfield location
By GRACE LEE
GREENFIELD — What began as a pop-up shop selling antiques and home goods in Turners Falls last October has transitioned to a permanent home at 281 Main St.Sweet Phoenix, owned by Danielle Marie, has moved into the space formerly occupied by Plum, a...
Business Briefs: April 12, 2024
MassHire hosting PCA info session GREENFIELD — The MassHire Franklin Hampshire Career Center will host an information session on becoming a personal care attendant (PCA) on Tuesday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to noon both virtually and in person at 101...
Real Estate Transactions: April 12, 2024
ASHFIELD 1823 Hawley Road. $777,000. B: Ian Adams and Javonate Gamble. S: Vincent M. Biggs and Brigid E. Demers.ATHOL 667 Brickyard Road. $331,000. B: Aleksandr A. Galbin and Krista Galbin. S: Johnathan Sibley and Jennifer Sibley. 836 Cottage St....
Consumer Corner: A two-day reprieve in tax filing deadline offers time for tips
By ANITA WILSON
The deadline to file state and federal income taxes is right around the corner. But in Massachusetts, filers have a two-day reprieve thanks to a state holiday.With Patriots’ Day on April 15 this year, state residents have until 11:59 p.m. on April 17...
Mother, daughter open The 19th Hole Driving Range in Greenfield
By GRACE LEE
GREENFIELD — When the property at 1245 Bernardston Road was home to Sammy K’s Golf, Tracey Stiles’ whole family frequently spent time there to watch her son Benjamin Westerman, an avid golfer, practice.Today, the range continues to be a family...
Business Briefs: April 5, 2024
Co-op welcomes new outreach, communications manager GREENFIELD — The Franklin Community Co-op welcomes Caitlin von Schmidt as its new outreach and communications manager. Von Schmidt started with the co-op on March 19.“Caitlin’s time as coordinator of...
Real Estate Transactions: April 5, 2024
ATHOL 742 Daniel Shays Highway, Lot 2A. $185,000. B: Julie Pepper. S: Edwin Ahearn and Sandra Stacy. 459 Fairview Ave. $145,000. B: MG Homes LLC. S: Desiree Certer. 708 Templeton Road. $240,000. B: Sven Johnson and Sarah Johnson. S: Richard E....
Consumer Corner: With spring weather comes spring scams
By ANITA WILSON
Just like crocuses and daffodils, new scams emerge around this time of year.Warmer weather brings out individuals who knock on your door with offers to make repairs to your home, driveway or yard. They might say that they have materials such as...
‘There’s nothing we can’t fix’: Busy Bee Computers opens in Greenfield
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — Business has started buzzing at Busy Bee Computers at 22 Federal St.The family-run venture opened in mid-January and patriarch Doug Ely said he has carried over most of the extensive clientele he built up while operating the business out...
Real Estate Transactions: March 29, 2024
ATHOL 667 Brickyard Road. $288,000. B: Johnathan Sibley. S: Tammy A. Bush. 34 Exchange St. $380,000. B: Vargas & Son Properties LLC. S: Lloyd K. Brooks. 146 Fredette St. $175,000. B: Norberto L. Mateo. S: Louise R. Sherman Estate and Daniel J....
Classic Signs & Truck Lettering settles into new Orange storefront
By DOMENIC POLI
ORANGE — Charles “Ray” Cartello was having his 1989 GMC truck restored by Norman Sargent when the owner of Graverobbers Restoration mentioned he had some space for rent next door to his business at 8 West Main St.Cartello, who has operated Classic...
Real Estate Transactions: March 22, 2024
ATHOL 86 Everett Ave. $355,000. B: Guillermo Santiago Jr. S: Christopher Cordio. 19 Kendall St. $50,000. B: TCS Home Group LLC. S: Michael W. Soracchi Estate and Joseph W. Auger. 1220 Petersham Road. $205,338. B: Dodge Contracting LLC. S:...