GREENFIELD — MassDevelopment has filed a complaint in court to evict Cleary Jewelers from its location at 248 Main St., where it has been since 1928.
The eviction comes in the midst of a years-long conflict between the jewelry store and its landlord. MassDevelopment acquired the property, which is the site of the former Wilson’s Department Store, in 2022 with plans to expand and relocate Green Fields Market into the building’s first floor, turning the upper floors into 65 mixed-income rental apartments.
The court summons and eviction complaint, which was shared with the Greenfield Recorder, alleges that Cleary Jewelers failed to relocate in violation of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act, adopted in 1970 and amended by 1978, and that the Cleary Jewelers acted as a holdover under the business’ lease. According to the document, the complaint was filed by attorney Michael Welsh, representing MassDevelopment.
Cleary Jewelers owner Kerry Semaski said she plans to fight the notice in court, as her business’ current lease expires in 2029.
“They’re claiming that we’re a holdover tenant, which we are not. We have a lease through 2029,” Semaski said in an interview Tuesday. “We’re not going anywhere. I am not retiring. At this point, we know that we need to relocate our business and we just want fair compensation for that.”
Neither Welsh, nor MassDevelopment Director of Communications Kelsey Schiller, could be reached immediately for comment on Tuesday.
Semaski explained that attempts to negotiate with MassDevelopment, The Community Builders and the Franklin Community Co-op that manages Green Fields Market — three partners in the building’s redevelopment — have been unsuccessful.
“Sadly, negotiations have not gone well and they have decided to move forward with eviction proceedings,” Semaski said.
On July 24, the property management company TCB Putnam LLC sent Semaski a written letter requiring her and her business to permanently vacate the building by Aug. 23. The letter offered financial support for the move.
The business had received similar letters in the past, on April 25 and June 24, requiring that the business vacate the premises within 120 and 60 days, respectively.
“Since your business is being displaced in connection with this federally funded project, you will be eligible for relocation assistance under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (URA),” wrote Andrew Waxman, representing TCB Putnam LLC. “As more fully set forth in the notices, we are ready to assist you in your move and help ensure that you preserve your eligibility for all relocation payments to which you may be entitled.”
Despite being offered assistance, Semaski said because Cleary is a jewelry business, its insurance company requires extensive and expensive security measures for relocation, the cost of which would not have been covered based on what developers have offered for relocation assistance.
Cleary Jewelers is the last remaining business on the ground floor of the former Wilson’s building. The Hens & Chicks consignment shop relocated to 208 Main St. following negotiations with MassDevelopment and the Lucky Bird thrift store closed at the end of 2023.
“At the end of the day, negotiations have come down to the parties’ view of the cost for Cleary Jewelers to make a move to a new location, nothing more. Just reimbursement for moving our 97-year-old business,” Semaski wrote in a statement. “Moving a jewelry store is incredibly expensive as we are not your typical retail shop. … Insurance dictates much of what we need to have in place for security measures and these needs do not come at a cheap price.”
Semaski noted that she is not refusing to leave, nor is she requesting “millions of dollars” in negotiations. She said she has faced harassment by members of the community — including spotlights being shined into her business late at night and residents entering her business and screaming — since the conflict with MassDevelopment became known. She said that while harassment is “unacceptable,” she is grateful for the “overwhelming” support she has received from her loyal customers.
“I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the overwhelming support from our community and customers. We will continue to fight for what is right and look forward to continuing to serve our community for many years to come.” Semaski wrote in a statement. “We continue to be open to meaningful negotiations with MassDevelopment, The Community Builders and Greenfield Co-op to resolve this matter.”