NLRB dismisses petition to decertify Trader Joe’s union in Hadley

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Employees will not have an opportunity to vote on ending the two-year old union at the Trader Joe’s store at 375 Russell St. following the dismissal of a decertification petition by the National Labor Relations Board’s regional...

Jobless rate inches up to 3.8%

By MICHAEL P. NORTON

The Massachusetts unemployment rate ticked higher in September and now sits half a percentage point above the rate one year ago. The state’s jobless rate in September was reported Oct. 18 by the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development at...

Area property deed transfers, Oct. 18

AMHERSTMonroe S. Rabin and Joan G. Rabin to Venessa Cardinale and Emmanuel H. Febo, 21 Atwater Circle, $610,000 Constance R. Bunker to Borges Properties LLC, 325 E. Pleasant St., $550,000 BELCHERTOWNQs Lending Two T and Steven...

Making news in business, Oct. 16

Mass Audubon names new chair of Natural History and Field OrnithologyLINCOLN — Mass Audubon, the largest nature-based organization in New England, has chosen University of Massachusetts Amherst assistant professor Nathan Senner as its next Gerard A....

Sphere of influence: New innovation lab poised to open in Florence for women, nonbinary entrepreneurs

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — The interior of The Sphere Innovation Lab at 82 Maple St. in Florence is in itself a testament to its mission of collaboration and overcoming obstacles for women and nonbinary entrepreneurs.Chairs at the tables are designed to allow easy...

After health code violations, BBA Deli Market owner pledges to clean up South Deerfield shop

By CHRIS LARABEE

SOUTH DEERFIELD — The BBA Deli Market’s owner pledged Monday to address the numerous health code violations that led to its closure in late September.In a brief hearing held by the Deerfield Board of Health last week, Alex Gjekaj, the Polish deli’s...

Amherst Cinema workers press for salary bump

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Employees with the Amherst Cinema Workers United are pushing for salary changes to the existing contract with management of the nonprofit cinema so that the 13 members of the front-of-house staff, who oversee the box office and concessions...

Fresh start for familiar restaurant: Former Taipei and Tokyo reopens in Northampton as Taipei Hibachi

By NAOMI SCULLY-BRISTOL

NORTHAMPTON — Tucked on the steep hill of Crafts Avenue across from City Hall downtown, Taipei Hibachi is trying to make a new name for itself.Inside the newly opened hibachi restaurant, a renovated open floor plan invites customers to a counter...

Area property deed transfers, Oct. 11

AMHERST Philip B. Torrey and Nancy G. Torrey to Nicholas Day, 1450 S. East St., $735,000 Thomas W. Kornack and Elizabeth L. Foley to Amy E. Watts and Regina A. Watts, 20 Sheerman Lane, $740,000 BELCHERTOWN 23 Lake Dr Nt and Jay H. Holtzman to...

Making news in business, Oct. 11

Hager joins Market Mentors as PR execSPRINGFIELD — Market Mentors, LLC, a marketing, advertising and public relations agency, recently welcomed Christina Hager of Granby to its team as a public relations account executive. The two-time New England...

AGs file suit against TikTok: Massachusetts among states alleging that social media company harms children

By HALELUYA HADERO and BARBARA ORTUTAY

More than a dozen states including Massachusetts and the District of Columbia filed lawsuits against TikTok on Tuesday, saying that the popular short-form video app is designed to be addictive to kids and harms their mental health.The lawsuits stem...

Run nears end for Majestic Saloon: Northampton venue focused on LGBTQ community is up for sale

By CAROLYN BROWN

NORTHAMPTON — The Majestic Saloon, Northampton’s only nightlife venue explicitly focused on the LGBTQ community, is for sale and is slated to host its final show on Halloween night.Co-owners Kayla Abney and Alden Peotter attributed the necessity of...

Blooming in the heart of Easthampton: Mother-daughter duo open Bouquets of the Valley on Cottage Street

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — In the heart of the Cottage Street Cultural District, something new is blooming.Mother-daughter duo Alisha and Linda Markee have created colorful floral arrangements together for years, adorning the weddings of family friends, teaching...

STCC and partners cut ribbon for Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

SPRINGFIELD — A new Springfield Technical Community College cybersecurity center is named after U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal. The Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence is billed as a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to advancing...

Making news in business, Oct. 2

Glendale Ridge Vineyard partners with fine wine distributor SOUTHAMPTON — Glendale Ridge Vineyard, a renowned local winery known for its exceptional wines, has partnered with Beau Co. Wine, a distributor of fine wines in western Massachusetts. This...

Area property deed transfers, Oct. 3

AMHERST Matthew Given to Brendan Boucher and Stephanie E. Figary, 198 Alpine Dr., $510,000 Huizhong Gu and Lei Zhou to Joan Russett, 25 Bedford Court, Lot 25, $235,000 Rocky Hl Rd Partners LLC to 310 Belchertown Rd LLC, 310...

Starbuck’s opens in Belchertown, as world’s largest coffee chain continues expansion in county

By EMILEE KLEIN

BELCHERTOWN — Starbucks continued its expansion in the Pioneer Valley on Wednesday with the opening of a cafe in Belchertown on North Main Street, just in time for pumpkin spice latte season.The franchise’s newest Hampshire County location now serves...

A unique vibe: Keystone Vintage Market in Easthampton features 28 vendors selling their wares in a bright, modern space

By EMILEE KLEIN

EASTHAMPTON — Vintage markets commonly feel like a grandmother’s attic: cramped and crowded with old knickknacks and collectibles stuffed into every shelf and drawer, and wardrobes full of dresses and jackets that have seen more moth balls and dust...

Making news in business, Sept. 26

Easthampton chamber executive director to retire next JuneEASTHAMPTON — Moe Belliveau, executive director of The Chamber of Greater Easthampton for the last 10 years, will retire on June 1, 2025.Under her leadership, Belliveau was instrumental in...

Area property deed transfers, Sept. 26

AMHERST Ellen Silverberg to Viet Pham and Tram Vo, 45 Autumn Lane, Lot 45, $270,375 Greason Elissa M Est and Jonathan J. Davey to Plg Rt and Pavios L. Goulas, 101 E. Hadley Road, $275,000 Christian S. Olmsted and Nicole M. Hendrix to Nicole E....