The Town of West Stockbridge
The Town of West Stockbridge is on the rise. Often overshadowed by nearby Great Barrington and Lenox, the small community (the population is less than 1500) is benefiting from new businesses, cultural festivities such as the extremely popular annual Zucchini Festival and a group of townspeople dedicated to their community.
What sets this small town apart from it's Berkshire neighbors? “There are so many people doing things here” says Six Depot Owner Lisa Landry who opened her business with husband, Flavio Lichtental, this past July. “The merchants and other businesses have been so welcoming and supportive.” Their main reason for deciding to open their new business venture in the town? “West Stockbridge is so untapped, it's really a working town and, while tourists do come through, this is a community of real hardworking people.”
Nearby Rouge restaurant is know for gathering the townspeople, often finding itself packed with locals on weeknights in the winter. “When you go to Rouge, whether you’re a friend or stranger, you’re immediately welcomed in to the party.” says Landry.
Other popular dining establishments include the recently renovated Public Market on Main Street, popular for those looking to grab a quick bite or a table on the sidewalk to enjoy the bustle of town, and the recently opened Shaker Dam Coffeehouse & Stanmeyer Gallery, with the one-two punch of specialty coffee and art. These new businesses, coupled with mainstay restaurants Shaker Mill Tavern and Truc Orient Express, offer up lots of possibility for foodies.
One of the most popular nights in town is the farmers market on Thursday evenings (Governor Deval Patrick attended this past August). The market really reinforces the community atmosphere of the town; the people, specifically, are what make the market so special notes steering committee member, Ginna Dudney. “The farmers truly love what they do and there’s a friendly, welcoming vibe that makes a visit productive even if only to drop by and listen to the live weekly music. It’s a community project with contests for the kids, provisions for the grown-ups, and benches on which to “sit a spell” and chat.”
While Lenox has Tanglewood and Great Barrington, The Mahaiwe, West Stockbridge enjoys many hidden cultural gems, from the Historical Society’s concerts, Queensboro Wine & Spirits Tuesday Evening Super Club, to the recently announced sculpture garden to be held at the nearby quarry. All the art themed events in the town have a lot to do with the large number of artists-in-residence; Karen Andrews has had her photographs and watercolor painting displayed around the country and Hotchkiss Mobile is well known in the community for its stunning mobiles. Six Depot is planning to open an art gallery in an adjacent space also to be used for community dinners and movie nights.
The first show will feature photographer, Sarah Horne, and open the 4th of October.
While many of the towns people note that people seem to just “drive through” town while en route to Pittsfield or New York, the arrival of new businesses, and therefor new blood, seems to imply that West Stockbridge is becoming a force of its own.