News/Business
Recognizing an ‘inspiring force’: City business owner honored with Black Excellence award
By Aria Martinelli
NORTHAMPTON — A “good soul” and “inspiring force” who enriches western Massachusetts by bringing African culture to her new downtown store recently garnered some attention from the eastern part of the state.Aimee Salmon, the founder and operator of...
Area property deed transfers, April 11
AMHERST Jeanne Ray Juster T and Sigmund J. Roos to Robert Pomeroy and Holly Thompson, 35 Amity Place, Lot 35, $442,000 Bruce B. Payton to Lynn E. Payton and Marianne Payton, 76 N. Pleasant St., $1,333,337 Helene Cunningham and John Cunningham to...
College will cost up to $95,000 this fall: Schools say it's OK, financial aid can numb sticker shock
By NICK PERRY
MEREDITH, N.H. — As more than 2 million graduating high school students from across the United States finalize their decisions on what college to attend this fall, many are facing jaw-dropping costs — in some cases, as much as $95,000.A number of...
Area property deed transfers, April 4
AMHERST Marie E Armentano 2022 T and Marie E. Armentano to Grantwood LLC,36 Grantwood Dr., $416,000 Ryan Karb and Susan Karb to Kayvon Ross and Cyrus Safizadeh, 251-253 Pelham Road, $302,000 Bidwell James N Est and Torsten Bidwell to Yeon S....
Making news in business, March 28
Paragus I.T. founder turns over business to employees HADLEY — After implementing an employee stock ownership plan in 2016 that turned over 40% of the business to its employees, Paragus I.T. has recently transitioned to 100% employee ownership.With...
Area property deed transfers, March 28
AMHERST Justin C. Ching to Yg Pond LLC, 8 Hillcrest Place, $542,000 Manuel R. Townes and Valerie A. Townes to Cil Rlty Of Massachusette, 51 Hunters Hill Circle, $450,000 Jennifer E. Lynn to Denis R. Bruno, 21 Pine Grove, Lot 21, $295,000 Robert...
Consumer Corner with Anita Wilson: With spring weather, comes spring scams
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...
The perfect fit: Harper James, a women’s clothing store, opens in Easthampton
By JAMES PENTLAND
EASTHAMPTON — Navigating her 20s as a student, store employee and in wholesale manufacturing, Kayla Diggins sometimes felt she was lagging behind her peers making strides with career and family.Now, with the opening of her own store on Cottage Street,...
Making news in business, March 14
Many Graces Farm to open Sub Rosa NORTHAMPTON — Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra will cut the ribbon on Sub Rosa, a new botanical lounge and flower shop at 33B West St. on Friday at 4 p.m.Sub Rosa is a project of Many Graces Farm & Design, a flower farm and...
Deep roots: Carey’s Flowers in South Hadley rolling with the changes through four generations
B y SCOTT MERZBACH
SOUTH HADLEY — Every year, in the lead-up to Mount Holyoke College’s commencement, graduating seniors participate in the Laurel Parade, carrying long chains of mountain laurel to be placed at the grave of college founder Mary Lyons.A tradition the...
Area property deed transfers, March 14
AMHERST Kay Kranick-Weinberg to Nyla M. Dartt, 23 Green Leaves Dr., Lot 130, $280,000 Maly Mao and Poy Hok to Amherst Cmnty Land T Inc., 111 Logtown Road, $410,000 EASTHAMPTON Keely S. Sexton and Andrew Sexton to Kyle D. Cross and Elizabeth R....
Making news in business, March 7
New U-Haul dealer in HatfieldHATFIELD — Rescue Towing and Recovery at 253 West St. has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve the local community.Rescue Towing and Recovery will offer essential services like U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing...
Area property deed transfers, March 7
AMHERSTRailroad St Partners LLC to Aews Partnership LLC, 166 College St., $445,000 Bercume Construction LLC to Helen Wang, 129 Lindenridge Road, $1,030,020 Ellen G. Gordon to Laura Hanke, 10 Palley Village Place, Lot 10,...
Beyond the plate: New restaurant Lao Hu Tong aims to bring Chinese food, culture to Amherst
By Aria Martinelli
AMHERST — People who can’t travel thousands of miles to savor authentic Chinese cuisine and culture in the Far East now have the next best thing in downtown Amherst.Three months ago, Lao Hu Tong opened a few doors down from Boltwood Avenue at 63...
Luthier to hang up his tools: After 53 years, Tony Creamer closing Fretted Instruments in Amherst this spring
By JAMES PENTLAND
AMHERST — Tony Creamer began his career in luthiery upstairs at 49 South Pleasant St. in 1969, and he’ll be ending it there, too, when he closes the Fretted Instrument Workshop on April 1. “I will have completed 53 years in business,” he said last...
Area property deed transfers, Feb. 22
AMHERST Alfred J. Albano Jr. to Historic Renovations & Re, 68 Mcclellan St., $335,000 Stanley L. Warner and Signia R. Warner to Philip B. Torrey and Nancy G. Torrey, 31 Middle St., $600,000 Jeffrey P Roth-Howe RET and Jeffrey P. Roth-Howe to...
Area property deed transfers, Feb. 15
AMHERST Ann S Campney RET and Julia C. Irving to Susan E. Donner and Frances M. Cooper, 7 Burgundy Lane, Lot 7, $445,000 Porter Annick Est and Gregory Porter to John M. Kalas and Margaret S. Kalas, 33 Gaylord St, $760,000 North Pleasant St Partner...
A city ready for a wine shop: Longtime friends open Tip Top in Easthampton
By MADDIE FABIAN
EASTHAMPTON — A few years back, longtime friends Miranda Brown and Lauren Clark realized that the city didn’t have its own quality wine store.“It was during the pandemic, and everybody was going and buying wine. … We were just like, ‘Why do we have to...
Area property deed transfers, Feb. 1
AMHERST Carmen Carracelas-Juncal to Trang Le, 170 E. Hadley Road, Lot 92, $317,500 Good Daves LLC to Michael M. Lee and Yong S. Lee, 221 Northampton Road, $380,000 Amir Mikhchi and Fatemeh Giahi to Xiaoqin Zhon, 21 Webster...
African vibe shines at new store in Thornes called Positively Africana
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
NORTHAMPTON — When Aimee Salmon first moved to Northampton from the Democratic Republic of the Congo 10 years ago, she admits it was something of a culture shock.“The weather was the first snow in my life,” she said. “I didn’t speak English at the...
