Area property deed transfers, March 21

AMHERST

Making News in Business, March 21

NORTHAMPTON — The Northwestern district attorney has made promotions and other staffing changes following the departure of three prosecutors for legal positions in other state and federal agencies.

Belchertown rolls out welcome mat for businesses

By EMILEE KLEIN

BELCHERTOWN — When Town Manager Steve Williams goes on the road to advertise Belchertown as a viable, business-friendly community, business owners admit to him that they never considered the town as a potential home for their company.

The Roost set to close in Northampton after 14 years

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — The Roost, a coffee shop located at the corner of Main and Market streets, announced on social media that it will be closing down permanently, although hinted at a potential new business may be reborn from the closure.

Area property deed transfers, March 14

AMHERST

Ashfield’s historic Elmer’s Store seeing new life with opening of Wicked Good Café

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

ASHFIELD — Wicked Good Café is bringing new life to the historic Elmer’s Store, with help from both new and familiar faces.

Area property deed transfers, March 7

AMHERST

Making News in Business, March 7

NORTHAMPTON — The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce has hired Nia Stimage-Norwood as a program assistant and promoted Jack Brown to marketing director.

Food is in their DNA: New Holyoke restaurant Casa del Pollo offers African American soul food and Latin cuisines

By SAMUEL GELINAS

HOLYOKE — While Casa del Pollo just opened last month, its soul food menu has been developing for generations — a business built to model the childhood dinner table, and revive expressions of comfort, joy and community that comes from cuisine.

Clothing retailer J. Crew eyes summer opening at Mountain Farms Mall in Hadley

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — J. Crew Factory, a national clothing retailer, will be coming to Mountain Farms Mall later this year.

Collective Copies renovating Florence store into new headquarters, will close Amherst location

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Collective Copies, a worker-owned, union copy shop, is in the midst of expanding and renovating its production facility at 93 Main St. in Florence, a project that will accommodate the consolidation of its longtime site at 71 South Pleasant St. in Amherst when that storefront closes on May 1.

Business of video games: Digital Development Management has found success helping game developers find larger audience

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — Joe Minton knows that video games are serious business.

Area property deed transfers, Feb. 28

AMHERST

Consumer Corner with Anita Wilson: Consumer debt 101: Educational event planned for March

Americans have accumulated more debt now than ever before. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, between mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and other loans, Americans had $18.04 trillion in household debt in the fourth quarter of 2024. Of that debt, $1.21 trillion came from credit card balances.

PiNZ closes for good at Hampshire Mall, citing declining foot traffic

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — PiNZ, a business featuring an eight-lane bowling alley, more than 40 arcade games and a restaurant and bar with seating for about 150 people, has closed at Hampshire Mall, 367 Russell St.

Going green: Window World of Western Massachusetts branches out with new insulation service

By EMILEE KLEIN

BELCHERTOWN — Window World of Western Massachusetts has a long history of providing quality windows and doors, but the business only provides one piece in the whole picture of home improvement — until now.

Area property deed transfers, Feb. 21

AMHERST

Jo-Ann Fabric in Hampshire Mall faces closure as chain preps for sale

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A fabric, yarn and craft supply store that has been part of the Hampshire Mall since the Route 9 shopping center opened in 1978 is likely to close as part of a corporate restructuring.

Embracing used clothing: UMass students finding success with new thrift, consignment shop

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A consignment store to serve college campuses, offering inexpensive clothes and low-priced household items, was an idea hatched by students in a University of Massachusetts classroom.