Amherst College store opens downtown in former Hastings space

This rendering depicts what the former Hastings shop (white building) at 45 South Pleasant St., which has been redeveloped into an Amherst College bookstore. An attached five-story mixed-use building has been approved to rise in the back.

This rendering depicts what the former Hastings shop (white building) at 45 South Pleasant St., which has been redeveloped into an Amherst College bookstore. An attached five-story mixed-use building has been approved to rise in the back. KUHN RIDDLE ARCHITECTS

Amherst College opened a new retail store this week at 45 South Pleasant St. in downtown Amherst. The store is located in the space used by A.J. Hastings until it closed in July 2022, exactly 108 years after its opening.

Amherst College opened a new retail store this week at 45 South Pleasant St. in downtown Amherst. The store is located in the space used by A.J. Hastings until it closed in July 2022, exactly 108 years after its opening. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Freshman students Leland Tsai, right, and Marina Kim look through merchandise Wednesday afternoon at the newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst.

Freshman students Leland Tsai, right, and Marina Kim look through merchandise Wednesday afternoon at the newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Freshman students Leland Tsai, right, and Marina Kim look through merchandise Wednesday afternoon at the newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst.

Freshman students Leland Tsai, right, and Marina Kim look through merchandise Wednesday afternoon at the newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

Freshman student Claire D’Ambrosio tries on a sweatshirt Wednesday afternoon at the newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst.

Freshman student Claire D’Ambrosio tries on a sweatshirt Wednesday afternoon at the newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

The newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst.

The newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

The newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst.

The newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

A new five-story mixed-use building will be constructed in the back of a new retail store operated by Amherst College.

A new five-story mixed-use building will be constructed in the back of a new retail store operated by Amherst College. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

The newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst.

The newly opened Amherst College store at 45 South Pleasant St. in Amherst. STAFF PHOTO/DAN LITTLE

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 05-02-2024 2:01 PM

Modified: 05-02-2024 4:39 PM

AMHERST — A new retail store carrying assorted Amherst College merchandise, as well as school supplies, tech accessories and snacks, is open at 45 South Pleasant St., as demolition of a building immediately to the south, and removal of an attached ell to the rear, will make way for a five-story mixed-use building.

On Monday, The Amherst College Store, operated by campus retailer Follett, opened in the space used by A.J. Hastings until it closed in July 2022, exactly 108 years after its opening.

College President Michael A. Elliott said in a statement that the college is thrilled to bring life back to the historic location on Merchants’ Row.

“Our hope is that the store will not just meet a much-expressed desire for college gear from campus and beyond, but serve as a gateway for members of the college community, alumni and visitors into our hometown,” Elliott said.

The store will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A grand opening is set for May 14. “We can’t wait for the campus community to experience the new store,” said store manager Sovany Trezpacz.

The opening of the new store comes a week after the neighboring wood-frame building at 55 South Pleasant, once home to Jeffery Amherst Bookshop and Kamins Real Estate, was demolished. That site will form the plaza area for the new building that will be connected to the Hastings building. The new building will have 22 apartments, with the upper floors of the Hastings building to also be renovated into housing.

Business leaders issued statements about the new retail site.

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“We’re delighted to welcome the new Amherst College Store, which will enrich our local business community in the downtown area and further build a strong connection between Amherst College and the town, as well as create unique opportunities for collaboration and engagement with the Chamber and community,” said Jacob Robinson, executive director the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.

Liz Larson, interim executive director of the Amherst Business Improvement District, observes that The Amherst College Store is just two doors down from her office.

“We often get questions at the Visitors’ Information Center, a collaboration of the BID and the Amherst Area Chamber, on where to buy Amherst College gear and can now direct visitors and locals alike to the new Amherst College Store,” Larson said.

In 2023, the college began conversations with Follett to run a college store selling Amherst-branded gear and merchandise and began updating the former Hastings space once that was identified.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.