News/Business
Used car treasures: Highway Auto Salvage in Northampton expanding fast
By DUSTY CHRISTENSEN
NORTHAMPTON — The phones were buzzing on a recent weekday morning at Highway Auto Salvage, where employees answered questions about car parts in English and Spanish.An expansive sign hanging on the back wall of the small sales office listed the wares...
A new stage: After taking over Iconica Social Club during pandemic, actors have high hopes for future
By GRETA JOCHEM
NORTHAMPTON — Over the summer, Will Swyers and Ximena Salmerón, both actors, were looking for a new project. Something bold, they said. But it wasn’t an acting endeavor they turned to.They ended up taking over downtown cafe Iconica Social Club, “which...
Forging on: Loyal customers, flurry of home projects help Cummington Supply navigate pandemic
By BERA DUNAU
CUMMINGTON — At the start of the pandemic Gus Perkins, the second-generation owner of Cummington Supply, wasn’t sure how it would affect his business. Then, a whole lot of people started building.“Everyone was sent home and started doing projects,”...
Business is brewing at Sena Farm Brewery in Worthington
By BERA DUNAU
WORTHINGTON — When he was growing up, Jared Sena used to roller skate in one of the rooms of his family’s ski lodge, a barn that over three generations has held auctions, weddings and even potatoes. Now, the Worthington native is all grown up and...
Bed Bath & Beyond closing Holyoke store
By DUSTY CHRISTENSEN
HOLYOKE — Bed Bath & Beyond at the Holyoke Mall Crossing will be shutting down.The closure, first reported by The Republican, is announced on the store’s website. The store is one of approximately 200 that Bed Bath & Beyond announced at the end of...
Slivers of (chocolate) heaven: New chocolate store opens in Northampton
By Julia Cornick
Suzanne Forman sometimes pinches herself these days — not literally, of course — when she thinks about the sliver of the premium dark chocolate she makes and sells out of her Northampton home.“Am I really making chocolate for a living?” she asks...
Area property deed transfers for Hampshire County and Holyoke
AMHERST Lindsley G. Boiney to Richard J. Giglio and Sally G. Giglio, 171 Heatherstone Road, $479,000 Ellen M. Fagan to Marcus S. Opalenik and Shao Y. Tseng, 48 Jenks St., $350,000 Kravetz Bettie R Est and Steven J. Kravetz to Yong X. Liu and Billy...
Area property deed transfers
AMHERST Wyman David S Est and Teresa C. Wyman to Mary M Mccarthy FT and Mary M. Mccarthy Tr, 61 Columbia Dr., $223,050 Ashley Carlisle and Andrew Trafford to Christopher E. Overtree and Heidi Z. Haghighi, 435 Pine St., $389,500 Henry Whitlock to...
The Waxwing takes flight: Owners of former Chez Albert in Amherst open new restaurant in Hatfield
By JACQUELYN VOGHEL
Former owners of Chez Albert in Amherst have made a return to the Pioneer Valley restaurant scene with the opening of their new restaurant, The Waxwing Cafe in Hatfield. The restaurant, located at 34 West St., is co-owned by Hatfield couple Paul...
Making way for new green thumbs: Hadley Garden Center owners prepare to sell business
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — Day in and day out for the past 31 years, through the busy spring planting and holiday seasons to the lulls of midwinter, Tom and Janine Giles have emphasized their responsibility to customers as owners of the Hadley Garden Center.“People...
Throwback caps and gear: Mass Vintage opens first retail store in Amherst
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Those with an affinity for sports ballcaps from yesteryear might want to check out the special hat room at Mass Vintage’s new retail store Boltwood Walk at the former Knights of Columbus Quigley Hall.The 420 cubbies that line the wall of...
A dental hot spot emerges in Hadley
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — When Noelle Nubani and Cyrus Safizadeh open their new dental practice next month on Route 9, the couple will begin with just a handful of patients in what appears to be an increasingly competitive market for those who are in the field of...
The NASA logo is having a moment
By SAMANTHA MASUNAGA and HAILEY MENSIK
It’s the rare fashion emblem you can find everywhere. Walmart and Target offer T-shirts, swimsuits, sippy cups and ugly Christmas sweaters covered with it. Coach put it on bags, shoes and sweatshirts priced at hundreds of dollars apiece....
Masters of metal: Now in its 20th year, Salmon Studios in Florence continues rapid growth
By LUIS FIELDMAN
FLORENCE — Sam Ostroff is making the rounds inside the spacious workshop of Salmon Studios one recent morning, so forgive him if this takes awhile. There’s a lot going on.In one area of the company’s 17,000-square-foot studio inside a former assembly...
A classic continues: Harlow Luggage bought out by silent partner
By BERA DUNAU
NORTHAMPTON — A business that has been around since the 19th century will stay open on Main Street, as its owner for the last 15 years enjoys some well-earned retirement.Harlow Luggage began in 1875, when it was known as W. L Chilson. And then, as...
Iconic Northampton diner set to reopen under new name, ownership
By JACQUELYN VOGHEL
NORTHAMPTON — Over the decades, the train car diner on Strong Avenue has been known under various names, including Red Lion Diner, Miss Northampton Diner, and most recently, Kathy’s Diner.Now, the familiar sight is set to reopen under the name...
Tax refund advance often too good to be true: What to know
By Susan Tompor
Plenty of people would jump at the chance to speed up getting some of their tax refund cash, especially in light of the government shutdown, job cuts and other financial headaches.But Tiffany Vernier’s story should make some who are desperate to pay...
M&M auto repair in Easthampton readies for transition
By Elizabeth Donoghue
EASTHAMPTON — The owner of a longtime automotive service center on Parsons Street has recruited a protégé to help run the repair and maintenance side of his business. John Yagmin, who has owned M&M Service Center since 1979, on Oct. 1 turned the...
Regional auction lists livestock prices
The Northampton Co-op Auction Inc. lists Tuesday prices: Calves: $10 to $45; Growers: $50 TO $225; Started: $46 to $48; Veal: none; Heifers: $10 TO $74; Feeders: $30 to $69; Steers: $85; Bulls: $54 to $71; Canners: $5 to $47; Cutters: $48 to $59;...
From lawn mowers to snowplows, small-engine repair shops weather the seasons
By M.J. TIDWELL
HATFIELD — There are only a handful of businesses in the Valley equipped for the intricacies of small engine repair. Buffeted by ever-changing weather, these shops stubbornly stick around season after season to get into the grease with weed wackers...
