Over the first five days they were open, retail marijuana shops in Northampton and the central Massachusetts community of Leicester did more than $2 million in combined business the first five days they were open.
That's according to figures released this week by the Massachusetts Cannibis Control Commission. Opening Day for the first two pot shops in the state, and Black Friday were especially busy. And the amount of traffic has been a concern for some, sparking a special meeting in Leicester this week.
Also this week, security officers at the MGM Springfield casino voted against unionizing by a two-to-one margin. Union officials said MGM hasn't been paying more to employees with advanced training, and hasn't been paying out promised raises to security guards on the job for more than 90 days.
Meanwhile, the Athol Daily News quietly announced last week it was cutting its publishing schedule from six days down to four, and that it was going to start distributing the newspaper by mail. The papers owners, who also own the Daily Hampshire Gazette and Greenfield Recorder, among others, did not comment on the move, but one town official says it can more a small community feel even more isolated.
And the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield said this week that after raising more than $53 million,it is done selling piecesfrom its art collection. The controversial plan raised funds museum official say is needed to stay open. In all, 22 works were sold, including two paintings by Norman Rockwell.
- Ron Chimelis, columnist, Springfield Republican
- Kristin Palpini, lifestyles editor, The Berkshire Eagle
Disclosure: MGM has purchased underwriting from New England Public Radio publicizing the company's non-gambling activities. The NEPR newsroom operates independently of the station's development department, and editorial decisions are made without regard to any funding relationships.
