Biz Briefs: Greylock Federal Moving Branch, Furniture Company Has New Name

Print Story | Email Story

Bennington Furniture's sign is replaced in Pittsfield.

Bennington Furniture Becomes Old Brick

Vermont's Bennington Furniture acquired Old Brick Furniture Co. of Albany, N.Y., and is taking on the Old Brick name. Bennington Furniture has six locations, including one in Pittsfield in the Allendale Shopping Center, and Old Brick has two stores in the Albany area. 
 
The purchase occurred last fall and the merger of the stores started in this January. Both companies have been family owned for three to four decades. The newly merged company says staff and service will remain the same, including Bennington Custom, the store's customer furniture line. However, the two chains will merge products and Bennington Furniture stores are holding a clearance sale to make room. 
 

Greylock Federal Relocating

Greylock Federal Credit Union is relocating the branch office in the Stop & Shop Plaza on Merrill Road in Pittsfield to Allendale Shopping Center, less than half a mile away.
 
"This new location will provide one-stop shopping for our members," said President and CEO John L. Bissell. "It will be a full-service branch with direct access to Greylock Insurance Agency, Greylock Investment Group, and many other credit union support staff that members may need to access for more complex transactions."
 
The new branch is being built within the existing space that houses credit union operations and a Greylock Insurance Agency office. Bissell said there is ample space for a new and improved branch with an ATM. The move will take place this spring.
 
"We've been thinking about the move for a while, and with our lease at the Merrill Road location ending soon, it just made sense to do it now," he said. "Plus, we always strive to be good stewards of our members' money, and this new location helps us improve our member convenience while also saving money by not having two facilities in the same general neighborhood."
 

Eversource Warns of Scams

Some of the energy company's customers have reported received calls from someone using a real Eversource employee's name offering a discount on their electric bill. Others have reported receiving an email that contains the Eversource logo.
 
"Scammers are constantly changing their tactics to take advantage of unsuspecting customers, and that's why we're always working to raise awareness," said Eversource Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Penni Conner. "If you receive an email, phone call or visit at your front door and it doesn't feel right, don't panic and don't pay. We will never threaten to disconnect your service or demand instant payment."
 
Scammers often target the most vulnerable, including senior citizens and low-income communities. They also create panic for business owners and even major manufacturers, threatening to disrupt their most critical hours of operation.
 
The energy company offers the following tips to help avoid becoming a victim:
  • Eversource representatives never demand instant payment over the phone, require the use of pre-paid debit cards or request customers meet at a payment center to make the payment.
  • Never provide personal financial or account information to any unsolicited person on the phone, at the door or online, even if they seem legitimate.
  • Beware – some sophisticated scammers can manipulate their caller ID to say the caller is with Eversource.
  • Customers who are scheduled for disconnection due to nonpayment receive a written notice that includes information on how to maintain their service.
  • Customers can verify they are speaking with an Eversource representative by asking for some basic information about their account like the name on the account, the account address, and the exact past due balance.
Customers should call 1-800-592-2000 if they receive a call, email or if someone shows up at your door to verify if it's Eversource. For more information visit Eversource.com.

 


Tags: Greylock Federal,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.
 
For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road. 
 
The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said. 
 
"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said. 
 
The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said. 
 
Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said. 
 
Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units. 
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories