GREENFIELD — Tuesday marked the first time in 71 years the weekly meeting at Cohn & Company was headed by anyone other than a Cohn.
Ownership of the well-known real estate agency changed hands about a week ago when local real estate developer and investor Timothy Grader bought the business from Robert Cohn, whose father, Simon, founded the first incarnation of the company on May 1, 1948.
The younger Cohn, 71, said he has had health issues for the past year and a half, and the sale has been in the works for about six months. He had joined his father in the business on July 16, 1973.
“I think that’s enough,” he said, adding that “nothing’s forever.”
Cohn said he will likely spend the next six months helping Grader as needed with transition.
“He won’t really need my help. He’s a lot smarter than I am,” Cohn joked. “He’s a great person and I’m really thrilled for the opportunity for all the salespeople, and we’re adding some new salespeople.”
Cohn said his wife, Mary, has run the business for the past year and a half and “has been way above outstanding.” The agency will continue operations at 117 Main St., where it has been since 1986. Grader reportedly will split his time between Holyoke Property Management, his property management and investment business, and managing Cohn & Company’s commercial and investment division.
“In working with Cohn & Company, I have always been impressed with their integrity, hard work and success,” Grader said. “As I have grown my real estate investments in Franklin County over the past five years, I am honored that Robert Cohn has trusted his agency with me.”
Simon Cohn established Simon Cohn Insurance on the second floor of 267 Main St. in 1948, and within a year started to deal in real estate. He and former Greenfield Selectboard member Gerald I. Levitch partnered in 1962, and moved their location to 269 Main St. as two companies — Cohn & Levitch Insurance Agency and Cohn & Levitch Real Estate Agency. Robert Cohn came on board in 1973, and five years later bought out Levitch, creating the Cohn & Company Real Estate Agency and Cohn & Company Insurance Agency. The business moved to 1 Federal St.
“It’s really been a great run,” Robert Cohn said, explaining his love for the real estate business. “It’s a different challenge every day … even though it’s the same product.”
He said he and his wife are staying put in Greenfield, though he is excited to have more time to visit his sons in Denver. Cohn also said he will remain involved in the community and will continue to serve on the Greenfield Community College board of directors, where he has been chair for seven years.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.