Demolition begins on back portion of former Wilson’s Department Store in Greenfield

GREENFIELD — Demolition has started on the back portion of the former Wilson’s Department Store on Main Street.

According to a notice that abutters received from the city of Greenfield in early June, “some amount of noise and dust are anticipated during the demolition,” but the methods used by Saloomey Construction are “intended to cause less dust and noise compared to other methods.” For example, the company is not using wrecking balls or explosives.

According to Seth Lustig, one of the owners of Greenfield Games, Project Superintendent Mark Kupiec visited his store in the days before the demolition began. With Greenfield Games located at 238 Main St., the store is a direct abutter to the project.

Lustig said that Kupiec mentioned that at points it could feel like an earthquake. So far, Lustig said, he hasn’t experienced that. He is worried, however, about the shelves located behind the counter, as while that wall isn’t directly connected to the former Wilson’s building, “it’s right there.”

While many businesses on Main Street are already closed on Mondays, Freedom Cafe at 204 Main St., which had been planning to reopen after a week’s absence following the Fourth of July holiday, chose not to open on Monday after hearing about the demolition.

In a statement, Chrissy Weaver, co-owner of Freedom Cafe, said she heard from her landlord that “demolition work involving heavy equipment would be taking place, and that significant vibrations were expected, and that neighboring businesses should move breakable items as a precaution.”

She wrote that she and her husband decided to delay the reopening of the restaurant “out of concern for our staff, customers and equipment.”

At Posada Grill at 238 Main St., bartender Heather Shearer said the only detriment she’s noticed so far is the parking situation, but that otherwise, not much has been felt at the restaurant. Dumpsters are in front of the former department store in the parking spots.

Still, Shearer said, the demolition has patrons at Posada Grill talking, reminiscing about the department store that was a fixture in Greenfield from 1882 to 2020.

MassDevelopment acquired the Wilson’s property in 2022 with plans to expand and relocate Green Fields Market to the building’s first floor, while turning the upper floors into 65 mixed-income rental apartments.

According to the notice from Mayor Ginny Desorgher’s office, demolition of the building’s back portion is expected to last approximately two weeks.