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The Burlington Store opens this Friday in Berkshire Crossing.

Burlington Store Debuts in Pittsfield on Friday

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The new Burlington store will open in Berkshire Crossing later this week.  

During the morning ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 22, the store will present a $5,000 donation to teachers at Craneville Elementary for much-needed back-to-school supplies. Following the grand opening, the first 100 shoppers over the age of 18 will receive a $10 Bonus Card on Friday and Saturday. 

The discount retailer touts discounts of up to 60 percent off brand-name merchandise and regular new arrivals. 

News came that a new retail store was coming to the city earlier this year when the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a sign exemption for Burlington Stores, formerly Burlington Coat Factory. The space at 55 Hubbard Ave. was vacated by Staples in December after 30 years in business. 

"To celebrate the grand opening of their new store location and highlight their ongoing commitment to education, the retailer will be donating $5,000 to a nearby high-needs school through their long-standing partnership with the national non-profit organization AdoptAClassroom.org," a press release from Burlington Stores Inc. reads. 

"Funds will be used to provide students with classroom materials they need to learn and succeed.?The presentation of the donation to the local school community will take place at the ribbon-cutting ceremony." 

AdoptAClassroom helps offset the financial burden that teachers incur, often about $860 per year, to equip classrooms with the supplies needed for student success. The nonprofit has raised $73 million since 1998, and 90 percent of the funded classrooms are considered "high needs." 


"As a company who cares about their customers and associates, Burlington is dedicated to adding value to the communities in which they live and work. Throughout the year, Burlington supports a variety of philanthropic initiatives that empower those locally to live better lives and build brighter futures," the company wrote. 

Craneville Elementary, located in Dalton, has more than 450 students enrolled in Grades kindergarten through 5 from Dalton, Windsor and Cummington. It is part of the Central Berkshire Regional School District.

"With class sizes of approximately 20, we provide a variety of services including remedial reading, Title I, special education, speech and language, occupational therapy, and physical therapy," the school's website reads. 

"In our pursuit to develop well-rounded citizens, students enjoy art, music, PE, and library weekly.  Our children are taught by a highly-qualified staff in a nurturing environment." 

The Pittsfield store will bring the total number of Burlington locations in Massachusetts to 26; there are 1,115 stores nationwide with the closest in Holyoke and in Latham, N.Y. It will carry ladies' apparel, including petites and plus sizes, menswear with big and tall sizing options, kids' and juniors' apparel, baby items, footwear, beauty and fragrance, home decor, and pet care and toys. 

According to the company's website, four part-time positions are open for the Pittsfield location, offering a base pay of $15 per hour: retail stocking associate, retail shortage control, cashier associate, and retail sales associate. 

The Pittsfield location is said to feature a "reimagined" store layout that features "refreshed format, featuring thoughtfully organized aisles and bold signage making it easier than ever to navigate the store and get inspiration for the latest must-have trends." 

The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays.  The grand opening on Friday will begin at 8:45 a.m. 


Tags: new business,   big box retailer,   grand opening,   

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Thistle 'N Thorn Floral Announces Closing

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Another North Street business has announced their sudden closure.

Thistle 'N Thorn Floral announced on Instagram that its doors will close. 

"What many people don't see behind a creative business is how much it grows, shifts, and eventually asks more of you than one person can realistically carry. Between the rising costs of flowers, increasing rent, and the sheer volume of work, the business has become almost too successful for one person to sustain alone."

Owner Ashley Davidson opened the shop at 393 North St. a couple years ago and was selling flowers long before that according to her social media history.

Thistle 'N Thorn sold floral arrangements for events like weddings, funerals, and more. She also sold gifts, bouquets and wreaths according to Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Davidson also hosted events and workshops for those to create their own arrangements. 

"While this chapter is closing, I want to be very clear about something. This is not the end for me," Davidson wrote on Instagram.

"I'm incredibly proud of what I built. It took vision, grit, creativity, and a lot of courage. Those things don’t disappear just because a business chapter ends. If anything, they’re the reason I’m confident stepping into whatever comes next."

She also said she will be honoring the weddings and events she has already scheduled and plans to offer more workshops.

 
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