GREENFIELD — Months after being told her business would need to vacate its storefront in the former Wilson’s Department Store, owner Kerry Semaski continues to have trouble securing a new home for Cleary Jewelers.
Semaski expressed frustration with MassDevelopment’s role in helping her find a new location, as plans for the redevelopment of the former department store move forward.
“We simply want to move forward in this process, move into a new ‘home’ and continue to serve our community,” Semaski wrote in a statement earlier this week. “This cannot happen if MassDevelopment will not respond to negotiation requests.”
She emphasized, however, that she does not plan to close and Cleary Jewelers remains open for business.
The redevelopment plan for the Main Street property, which was acquired by MassDevelopment, involves relocating and expanding Green Fields Market – operated by the Franklin Community Co-op – into the building’s first floor and turning the upper floors into 65 mixed-income rental apartments. Overall, architects aim to restore the building to an appearance reminiscent of roughly 1920.
To date, the project has been before the Historical Commission and the Planning Board. The Zoning Board of Appeals continued its public hearing regarding the project to Thursday, June 8, at 6:45 p.m. at 20 Sanderson St.
Mayor Roxann Wedegartner announced MassDevelopment’s acquisition of the Wilson’s building in November 2022, on the same day that the three businesses that lease space in the building – Cleary Jewelers, Hens & Chicks, and Lucky Bird – were informed of the sale and told they’d be expected to vacate their respective spaces by spring.
In May, Baker Office Supply, located just east of Wilson’s on Main Street, announced that after nearly 90 years as a downtown fixture, the shop would be closing its doors and welcoming Hens & Chicks into its space.
According to MassDevelopment, with the acquisition of the Main Street property came a “commitment to work with the three small businesses located in the first floor.” In a statement, the agency said it remains “focused on working with the remaining two businesses to ensure they have a smooth transition and the ability to continue serving the Greenfield community when construction at the property begins.” However, the state agency declined to answer specific questions.
“Since this announcement in November, we have met with MassDevelopment twice,” Semaski said. “They suggested we look at retail space in the basement of the old [Greenfield Community College Downtown Center], a second-floor rental space on Main Street and a gas station on Main Street, to name a few. All these suggestions were inappropriate for us due to location, inaccessibility to our customers and/or incredible renovation needs.”
Semaski said she found a possible new location off Main Street, but MassDevelopment hasn’t been responsive, other than to notify her that the proposal had been received.
“This whole process has been highly discouraging and challenging,” she said.
Cleary Jewelers has had its storefront in the Wilson’s building since 1928, Semaski said. She has owned the business for more than 19 years.
The shop is currently open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, with afternoon and evening hours available by appointment.
“We will be here to serve you for years to come,” Semaski said, “and look forward to an acceptable resolution with MassDevelopment.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.