The who, what, where site for the Pioneer Valley
Yankee magazine said that Northampton is filled with “cool downtown galleries and boutiques”
The holiday season is creeping up on us, and with it, the need for many folks to go Christmas shopping.
While many cities in towns in Western Massachusetts offer plenty of diverse retail experiences, Northampton remains one of the best. And according to Yankee Magazine, it is the best that New England has to offer.
The family restaurant in downtown Ware, located at 91 Main St., features American-style cuisine, offers gluten-free dishes, and can seat up to 99 in the spacious, newly refurbished setting.
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‘BannerQueen’ Johnquest and ‘PhotoWench’ Waldman will open Spot 22 on Cottage Street.
Amy Johnquest and Stacy Waldman have known each other about three years, and are familiar faces within the Easthampton arts and culture scene.
Now the two friends are opening a quirky storefront gallery and studio on Cottage Street. Spot 22 will merge BannerQueen, Johnquest’s art and design studio, with House of Mirth Photos, the vintage photograph and ephemera business run by Waldman.
The type of work we do really complements each other,” said Waldman, who has been collecting and selling vintage photographs for over 16 years. Work from her collections can be found in vernacular photography coffee table books, museum shows and collections worldwide.
Johnquest is known for her carnival-like, sideshow-style banner art and illustration. “My work is strictly low-tech with a quasi-folk art bent,” she said. “I like to play with words, double entendres, curiosities, and curly-Qs.”
The two met at a collage party at Waldman’s home. “I was immediately influenced by Stacy’s photo collection, and wowed by her discard photo box,” said Johnquest. “I started painting on them, and one thing led to another.”
Waldman said people who wish to sell old photo collections should come see her. Johnquest said she looks forward to having a “fabulous storefront window” for installations.
Spot 22 will host a public grand opening on Friday, Sept. 23 from 5-9 p.m. The Holyoke Hummus food truck, hand-painted by Johnquest, will be parked out front for the dinner crowd.
Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com
‘We’re hoping this will be a catalyst for economic development,’ said Easthampton Mayor Karen Cadieux.
EASTHAMPTON — Governor Charlie Baker signed a piece of legislation Friday granting Easthampton eight new all-pour restaurant liquor licenses.
“It’s very exciting,” said Mayor Karen Cadieux. “We’re hoping this will be a catalyst for economic development.” Cadieux said her office receives phone calls “all the time” from potential restaurant owners, asking if liquor licenses are available.
The City Council in November, after two evenings of debate and various committee discussions, voted to petition the Legislature for the licenses.
“It was a pleasure to work the city in order to support growth in the local economy and draw more visitors to downtown Easthampton,” said Sen. Don Humason, R-Westfield, who introduced the measure. “I look forward to seeing the results of these new licenses in the months to come.”
The bill’s language gives “highest preference to establishments located in the mill industrial zone and the downtown business zone in the city of Easthampton,” although it’s not clear what process the city’s Licensing Board will use to implement that provision. There is no requirement that the licenses be tied to food service.
Who holds Easthampton’s 41 liquor licenses? (photos)
In Massachusetts cities and towns, liquor licenses are limited according to a population-based formula. Easthampton is already over-quota, meaning the additional licenses could only be issued through special legislation.
Existing or potential restaurant or bar owners will have to apply to the Licensing Board in order to be considered for the licenses. All licenses must then be approved by the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, a process that sometimes takes months.
The over-quota licenses, once granted, can not be transferred to a new location. However, they can be transferred to a new applicant at the same location.
In all, city businesses hold 41 liquor licenses distributed among restaurants, bars, package stores, clubs and more.
Twenty-three of those licenses are “all-pour” permits, five are for beer and wine only, three are “farmer-brewer” malt licenses, and the rest are for stores. Shelburne Falls Coffee on Union holds a seasonal beer and wine license. Tandem Bagel Company on Railroad Street also recently applied for a seasonal license.
The 100th edition of The Big E begins on Sept. 16.
WEST SPRINGFIELD – Nobody throws a party like The Big E, and Wednesday night’s preview to the fair’s centennial was no exception.
The party began a countdown of 100 days, when the 100th anniversary celebration will be underway during the exposition’s run from Sept. 16 to Oct. 2.
Guests were treated to a cake so big it had to be made in five sections, Belgian-style beer from Spencer Trappists, music from The Big E Mardi Gras Band, prize giveaways and more.
Among a handful of speakers at the event was West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt, who called The Big E “a huge asset in the community.”
“It’s great to have them here… it provides a huge economic benefit for the corridor and the community in general, so we’re really happy to have this anniversary,” Reichelt said. “I’m honored to be here, and I look forward to the great celebration this year. Happy birthday.”
Eugene J. Cassidy, president and CEO of the fair, addressed the crowd of about 150 guests, and acknowledged the work of Noreen Tassinari, marketing director for The Big E, whom he called “Miss Centennial.”
“She has not slept for about five years; she’s been wondering about this centennial planning …,” Cassidy said. “But Noreen is driving the centennial bus, and we thank you for that.”
As dusk fell, a lighting ceremony saw the illumination of five large candles atop the Brooks Building on the exposition grounds. Elsewhere on the fairgrounds, trees are being decorated with crystal-like lights for the anniversary celebration.
Earlier in the day, The Big E announced on social media that several big-name entertainers are lined up to perform during the centennial.
The musical guests are X Ambassadors, on Sept. 23; Elle King, on Sept. 24; and Maren Morris, on Sept. 25.
More information about The Big E’s 100th Anniversary Celebration can be found at its website: www.thebige.com
The eatery fills the 193 Main St. space formerly occupied by Subway.
George Ejja just filled one of Northampton’s 14 empty downtown storefronts. He also filled a need in the town…
Northampton seems to have lost its mojo.
Over the past month or so, there’s been a fair amount of public speculation about what’s going on in downtown Northampton.
Why so many e…
Solar garden ornaments – like flowers and butterflies that light up at night – are popular at Randall’s Farm and Greenhouse in Ludlow. Hanging solar mobiles and gazing balls add to the array.
LUDLOW –The trend to “go solar” is growing even in gardens.
Solar garden ornaments – like flowers and butterflies that light up at night – are popular at Randall’s Farm and Greenhouse in Ludlow. Hanging solar mobiles and gazing balls add to the array.
In addition to these sun-powered garden ornaments, garden pinwheels are spinning out of the store. “Spinners of all different styles are very popular,” said Karen A. Randall, owner and president of the farm and greenhouse. “Over the last couple of years we’ve seen more and more of these. We have a great collection of spinners.”
When it comes to plantings, it’s all about color. “Whatever is in color people are anxious to get into their garden,” she said.
Early in the season that means pansies and phlox.
Also early in the season, flowering trees, shrubs and perennials are popular “because you see them in the landscape,” Randall said.
According to Annie Wheeler, administrator at A.W. Brown’s Pet and Garden Store
in East Longmeadow, using organic products and growing one’s own food including vegetables and herbs, is always popular.
Also, container gardening is becoming more and more popular because it makes gardening possible for those with little to no garden space. Those who do have access to more garden space will occasionally opt for containers to add appeal to their yard or to make the garden more accessible. Many different kinds of plants can thrive in containers including vegetables, flowers, herbs, shrubs and small trees, she noted.
Succulents have also been popular this year at A.W. Brown’s. They do well in sunny, well-drained areas with little maintenance needed, Wheeler pointed out. They come in many different colors and textures, which can make for interesting containers.
Succulents do require a good draining soil, such as a specific cactus soil.
And with warm days, people are eager to purchase edibles. “When you have beautiful days you forget the nights are cold, but everybody wants to put in their garden,” Randall said, cautioning that tender vegetables should not be put in until the end of May. “We had a warm March and a cold April, so we have to watch nighttime temperatures.”
It’s safe to plant vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, but Randall advises waiting for warmer weather for tomatoes, peppers and eggplant that need warmer weather.