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Inside this issue Mix of fitness ◆ SON Pays HOMAGE TO latE father’S ARTWORK WITH NEW GALLERY ..........2 New service and relaxation ◆ MASSBLISS FEstival TO FOCUS ON MattERS OF MINDFULNESS ................... 4 puts seniors to services at work helping Body Lab GB ◆ baR SET HIGH WITh ‘LIVING BUILDING CHALLENge’ CRITERIA .................... 12 seniors — page 16 ◆ WIREDWEst initiativE GEts NEEDED bacKING FROM TOWN VOTERS ......... 19 — page 17 BERKSHIRE TRADE & COMMER C E monthly Vol. 19 No. 3 “The Business Journal For Berkshire County” JULY 2015 Bank invests in DOWNTOWN DEBUT FOR MAKERS’ MILL expansion of its county footprint Adams Community plans $14.3 million acquisition of Lenox National Bank BY BRAD JOHNSON When Lenox National Bank went looking for a buyer, they found a willing taker in Adams Community Bank. On one side, the increasing challenge of operating as a small, single-office financial institution prompted the strategic decision to sell; on the other side, the opportunity to ac- quire an established bank operation in a new local market fit the “We were strategy of becom- pleased ing a county-wide community bank. that Adams “We were hopeful Community that a community Membership-based shared Bank was oriented bank with the same philosophy studio space brings creative the winning that we have would bidder. Their be interested,” said disciplines to Main Street philosophy Paul Merlino, presi- dent of Lenox Na- Board chair Kate Barber displays some of the printmaking and weaving equipment available to members at the new Makers’ Mill in downtown North Adams. The seems to be tional Bank, regard- nonprofit venture’s goal is to boost the creative and economic vitality of Main Street by providing a needed resource and collaborative venue for area makers. in line with ing that institution’s ours.” decision last year to BY BRAD JOHNSON the northern Berkshire creative community through infrastructure, seek a buyer. “So, we In an earlier era, mills were the mainstay of commerce and com- collaboration, organization and education. were pleased that Adams Community Bank munity in North Adams. “Maker spaces are a growing aspect of local economies in was the winning bidder. Their philosophy Today, as the city continues a process of reimagining its future, a many communities,” said Kate Barber, chair of the volunteer seems to be in line with ours.” different type of mill – Makers’ Mill – hopes to weave a new fabric board of directors that is overseeing the start-up and operation “This was a great strategic opportunity for of creative and economic activity. of Makers’ Mill. us, right in our own back yard,” added Charles Situated in a storefront at 73 Main St. in downtown North Adams In the specific case of North Adams, Barber said, the concept for O’Brien, president and CEO of Adams Com- most recently occupied by a candy shop, Makers’ Mill is, at its Makers’ Mill fits neatly within the city’s ongoing efforts to foster new munity Bank. “This will become our eighth most basic level, a utilitarian space providing shared resources economic vitality by more fully integrating a burgeoning creative branch, and will immediately be our third- to individuals involved in the creative disciplines of printmaking community into the overall fabric of business and commerce. largest with $58 million in deposits.” and fiber arts. “We’re excited to be located in the heart of North Adams’ Main The deal between the two banks was Beyond that, however, organizers believe Makers’ Mill will boost Street community,” she said. “Makers’ Mill will not only strengthen announced in April. Under the terms of the creative and economic vitality of Main Street by providing a the Berkshire creative community, but also bring more people to the agreement, Adams Community Bank, needed resource and collaborative venue for area makers. In that Main Street, adding to its vibrancy.” continued on page 20 respect, they describe the mission of Makers’ Mill as strengthening continued on page 10 Vlada Boutique’s namesake marks 45 years as part of Stockbridge retail scene BY JOHN TOWNES I’m just grateful to have had the opportunity Vlada Rousseff has managed the enviable to live in Stockbridge and have a business feat of combining her creative inclinations here for so long.” with a successful and long-standing business Rousseff’s first foray as an entrepreneur in a community that she loves. in Stockbridge was in 1970, with a small, Rousseff, a mainstay of the Stockbridge summer-only shop in a building in the court- retail community, is the owner of Vlada yard behind the Red Lion Inn, where she sold Boutique, a clothing, gift and accessory her own hand-made clothing and crafts. shop at 17 Elm St. When she started The shop carries “Things just fell into place and the business, the women’s apparel, worked out as I went along.” events depicted in jewelry, handbags the iconic song Al- and other accessories, and a variety of gift ice’s Restaurant were still contemporary. It items and cards, including her own personal has continued to grow and evolve into the line of bath and body products. era of iPhones and Beyoncé. She has now reached an impressive mile- Vlada Boutique (413-298-3658 or vlad- stone of 45 years of business in the town, aboutique.com) also steadily built a fol- which she is celebrating with a series of sales lowing of customers as a destination store and events on the week of June 22-26. for Berkshire residents and second-home “I’ve seen a lot of changes and cycles in owners, as well as attracting tourists who are Stockbridge over the years, but in other ways drawn by the colorful flowers and exterior it’s the same as it was when I first came here,” displays of the building. Boutique owner Vlada Rousseff has been a fixture of the Stockbridge business community since 1970. Rousseff commented. “It’s a great place, and continued on page 15 2 BERKSHIRE TRADE & COMMERCE JULY 2015 FRONT Balanced Approach… pages Rock Solid Advice Son establishes gallery to showcase father’s work BY JOHN TOWNES A new gallery has opened in Housatonic, but it is not a typical commercial venture. While the work on display is for sale, that is not its primary purpose. Rather, it refl ects the desire of a son to preserve and enhance the creative legacy of his father. The Baumbach Gallery, at 241 North Plain Rd. (Route 41), is dedicated to exhib- iting and selling the work of 20th century painter and printmaker Harold Baumbach (1903-2002). The gallery was established by the art- ist’s son, novelist and fi lm critic Jonathan Baumbach. “This is not for money, and I’m not con- cerned with sales” said Baumbach. “Rather, I want to show my father’s work, and en- courage wider recognition of his name and Novelist and fi lm critic Jonathan Baumbach has established a gallery in Housatonic that showcases the work artistic achievements. He was friends with and creative legacy of his father, the 20th century painter and printmaker Harold Baumbach (1903-2002). great painters like Mark Rothko. I believe lections of numerous museums including “There were many of my father’s paintings he is in their league, and his work should be the New York Metropolitan Museum, the in the house, so I decided to build a gallery known more widely.” Whitney, the Chicago Art Institute, the here to house and display them,” said Baum- Harold Baumbach, the son of an upholsterer Corcoran Gallery, and the Carnegie Institute, bach, who has lived in the Berkshires for 23 on the Lower East Side of New York, was among others. years. He is the author of 14 books of fi ction, largely self-taught. He gained initial promi- However, he did not play the politics of over 90 short stories and is a former chairman nence in the 1930s, and he continued to paint the art world, which of the National Society until the late 1980s when blindness set in. hindered his career. A public event, including of Film Critics. Baumbach depicted urban scenes, por- He was described in installation of new artwork He explained that traits, New England landscapes and other his obituary in the New the Brooklyn house subjects, as well as more abstract work. His York Times (written by from the collection, is contained some 220 style evolved over the years, said his son. Michael Kimmelman) scheduled for Father’s Day, paintings that represent Retirement Income Planning “My father had a long career,” said Baum- as an extreme, and can- June 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. the remaining body of & Asset Management bach. “He initially worked in a fi gurative tankerous individual- his father’s work that is style, painting street scenes. Later his work ist: “Strong willed, allergic to fashion, even not in private or institutional collections. became abstract. Then he moved into a dif- to success, he persisted in going his own The 1,500-square-foot gallery, which 92 Elm St. • Pittsfi eld ferent style that combined abstract elements way, refusing to sell to prospective buyers he is located about halfway up the driveway with different subjects in a surreal way.” thought did not admire the work properly and leading to Baumbach’s Housatonic home, 413.442.8190 Harold Baumbach did receive recognition breaking off relations with galleries, usually was completed this spring. It also includes www.balance-rock.com during his lifetime and after his death. His after only a show or two.” an apartment for family guests. work was represented in 25 one-man gallery Jonathan Baumbach said the idea for the The gallery, which is open by appointment Securities o ered through shows in New York, and has been collected gallery came about as the result of the sale of (call 413-528-2997), held a well-attended LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC by individuals.

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