GREENFIELD — The Franklin Community Co-op’s plans to expand Green Fields Market remain in limbo as negotiations continue between Cleary Jewelers and the parties involved with converting the former Wilson’s Department Store into a mixed-use development.

Cleary Jewelers, owned and operated by Kerry Semaski, has been in business at its 248 Main St. location for more than 92 years. Although it is currently operating under a lease that is set to expire in July 2029, MassDevelopment acquired the property 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.

“There is an active negotiation [between Cleary Jewelers, MassDevelopment and other involved parties] happening right now,” Semaski’s attorney John Connor said in an interview Tuesday. “If the parties reach an agreement, my client would relocate. We have not reached an agreement, but we’re a lot closer than we’ve been in the past.”

In November 2022, the site’s three ground-floor tenants — Cleary Jewelers, the Hens & Chicks consignment shop and the Lucky Bird thrift store — were told they would have to vacate the building by spring.

Cleary Jewelers is now the last remaining business on the ground floor of the former Wilson’s building. Hens & Chicks relocated to 208 Main St. following negotiations with MassDevelopment and Lucky Bird closed at the end of 2023.

“We are not closing, we are staying open. We are planning on continuing to do business here at this location unless [MassDevelopment] wants to negotiate reasonably,” Semaski said in April 2024. “We are open to negotiations, but if that does not happen, we will stay here through 2029, and at that time, we’ll find a new location locally to continue to serve our community.”

The Franklin Community Co-op mentioned Cleary Jewelers in its February newsletter, noting that the store must be moved for Green Fields Market to expand. The cooperative said it expects to gain an understanding of Cleary Jewelers’ plans with the property within 30 to 45 days.

“Until the space is vacated by this tenant, we cannot move forward. After a thorough investigation of possibilities, we have concluded that there is no feasible option to begin construction with the tenant in place,” the co-op wrote in its newsletter to members. “Once we have clarity about the availability of the building, we will assess our options and communicate clearly with you.”

Caitlin von Schmidt, outreach and communications director for the Franklin Community Co-op, wrote in an email Wednesday that the organization is in “active dialogue” with its partners to get clarity around the availability of the Wilson’s building.

According to von Schmidt, structural and historic restrictions make it unfeasible for the cooperative to build around Cleary Jewelers, using just the remaining portion of the Wilson’s building’s first floor. She added that flat sales for Green Fields Market and project delays have “necessitated adjustments and tightened controls of all expenses.” The co-op plans to make a decision on the expansion project within the next 45 days.

“We’re working very hard to reach a conclusion that is mutually beneficial to all parties and to the local community,” von Schmidt wrote. “After a thorough investigation of various possibilities, we have concluded that there is no feasible option to begin construction with the space occupied due to the complexities of the historic, multi-level structure, which consists of four different buildings built at different times that are joined together.”

Von Schmidt added that once negotiations with Cleary Jewelers are over and a project timeline can be established, the cooperative will be able to pursue more loans, grants and tax credits to fund the project.

Connor noted that while MassDevelopment and his client were previously “far apart” in negotiations, the two parties are currently closer to an agreement.

“My client does want to reach an agreement,” Connor said. “But only if the terms are viable and fair.”

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.