News/Business
Business of video games: Digital Development Management has found success helping game developers find larger audience
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
NORTHAMPTON — Joe Minton knows that video games are serious business.
Area property deed transfers, Feb. 28
AMHERST
Consumer Corner with Anita Wilson: Consumer debt 101: Educational event planned for March
Americans have accumulated more debt now than ever before. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, between mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and other loans, Americans had $18.04 trillion in household debt in the fourth quarter of 2024. Of that debt, $1.21 trillion came from credit card balances.
PiNZ closes for good at Hampshire Mall, citing declining foot traffic
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — PiNZ, a business featuring an eight-lane bowling alley, more than 40 arcade games and a restaurant and bar with seating for about 150 people, has closed at Hampshire Mall, 367 Russell St.
Going green: Window World of Western Massachusetts branches out with new insulation service
By EMILEE KLEIN
BELCHERTOWN — Window World of Western Massachusetts has a long history of providing quality windows and doors, but the business only provides one piece in the whole picture of home improvement — until now.
Area property deed transfers, Feb. 21
AMHERST
Jo-Ann Fabric in Hampshire Mall faces closure as chain preps for sale
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — A fabric, yarn and craft supply store that has been part of the Hampshire Mall since the Route 9 shopping center opened in 1978 is likely to close as part of a corporate restructuring.
Embracing used clothing: UMass students finding success with new thrift, consignment shop
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A consignment store to serve college campuses, offering inexpensive clothes and low-priced household items, was an idea hatched by students in a University of Massachusetts classroom.
Area property deed transfers, Feb. 14
AMHERST
Making News in Business, Feb. 14
FLORENCE — Wendy Sweetser Ferris of Shelburne Falls has returned to The Trustees of Reservations as vice president for the Central and Valley region, encompassing special places from the Connecticut River Valley to central Massachusetts. Ferris previously worked for The Trustees from 2002-2012 and will be based at the organization’s Florence office.
Walgreens to close Union Street location in Easthampton
By ALEXA LEWIS
EASTHAMPTON — In its prominent downtown location, the Walgreens on Union Street is a popular destination for Easthampton residents looking to pick up needed medications or maybe a quick snack. But now, signs hang in the store notifying customers that the store is slated for closure in late March.
Coffee pros: Price squeeze a grind
By DOMENIC POLI
Don’t talk to the American people until they’ve had their coffee.
New digs: Innovintage Place moves to old Kelly’s restaurant in Amherst after six years in Greenfield
By DOMENIC POLI
AMHERST — As a teenager, Skye Wellington frequented Kelly’s restaurant, a nearly 30-year mainstay of a College Street business plaza until closing near the end of 2022.
Area Property Deed Transfers, Feb. 7
AMHERST
Making News in Business, Feb. 7
NORTHAMPTON — The Sphere Northampton has received $89,000 through the Small Business Technical Assistance (SBTA) Grant program to launch an initiative supporting women and nonbinary entrepreneurs.
New Deerfield yoga practice seeks to ‘tend to the soul’
By CHRIS LARABEE
DEERFIELD — Eternal Life Yoga & Wellness is putting down roots in the valley.
The joy of creating: Peacock’s Nest in Easthampton moves store to prominent Cottage Street location
By ALEXA LEWIS
EASTHAMPTON — Lauren Grover has become accustomed to encountering people who think they aren’t creative. They might say they can’t draw, can’t sculpt, can’t make some elaborate decor out of paper or paint or clay. She hears it all the time, but it never makes her any less sad.
Area property deed transfers, Jan. 31
AMHERST
Making News in Business, Jan. 31
FLORENCE — Florence Bank has pledged $75,000 to Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s $26 million Transforming Emergency Care Campaign to renovate, expand and enhance the Emergency Department.
Eventide Acupuncture and Integrative Health seeks to blend eastern, western medicine in new space in Haydenville
By SAMUEL GELINAS
HAYDENVILLE — On Dec. 10 Angelique Britt opened her first business, Eventide Acupuncture and Integrative Health, in the Brass Works building at 132 Main St.
Your Daily Puzzles
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An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
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A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
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Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
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Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
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Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.