Being fairly new to this beautiful area I don’t have the memories of Wilson’s as other folks have but the closing of this iconic department store reminded me of the same fate of the Star Store in my hometown of New Bedford. That also was a great department store where people could get anything, and I have wonderful memories of shopping there.
Unfortunately in the 1970s, the new Dartmouth Mall effectively killed downtown New Bedford and so the Star Store closed. The building was vacant for awhile and then a miracle happened: UMass Dartmouth’s art department took over the building and brought the students there. Next came young entrepreneurs opening shops, then artists renting lofts above stores. New restaurants and coffee shops opened and the downtown became revitalized.
So you can see how good things can snowball. I suggest that GCC take over the Wilson’s building and bring students downtown.
Jane Howland
Turners Falls