Amherst officials would like to see the creation of a village center in North Amherst.
The former Cowls Lumber sawmill in North Amherst is being considering for a second Atkins Farms market.AMHERST – Atkins Farms officials are considering opening a second market in the former Cowls sawmill building in North Amherst, but say no definite decision has been made.
Cowls closed its sawmill Jan. 1, 2010 after more than 242 years in business.
Cinda H. Jones, president of W.D. Cowls, said she had been talking with Atkins owners for four years about what a perfect spot it would be for them to add a second store.
The idea resurfaced during a discussion with consultants from The Cecil Group, who met with residents this spring to talk about their vision for North Amherst center.
Jones said Pauline A. Lannon, president of Atkins Farms, called recently to talk about it again.
“We’re so excited. We know that would jump-start North Amherst,” Jones said.
Town officials and residents would like to see the creation of a village center in that part of town.
Jones said “Atkins customers are very similar to ours, who appreciate local.”
The building is new, built after a fire destroyed the previous building in 2002.
Atkins farm president Pauleen A. Lannon and Treasurer David N. Thornton with the different types of apples available. Lannon said they're thinking about opening a second store in North Amherst.“We need to analyze (it), look at different viewpoints,” Lannon said, She said they had considered opening a second market in South Deerfield and at the center of town.
“It (the site) does interest us. We’d be excited to work with Cinda, she’s quite the lady,” Lannon said.
She said a number of things would have to be done to the building, but at 14,000-square-feet it’s big enough to accommodate a new market.
“We would build it out for Atkins,” Jones said.
Jones said the site would be an ideal location because of the volume of traffic.
Lannon said right now, staff is currently busy making a number of changes at the South Amherst market, including replacing the storage shed razed as part of the reconstruction work on Route 116, so they’re not quite ready to make a decision about the mill site.
Lannon said they are “seriously interested” and hope to make a decision within a year.
“It’s tough economically,” she said, noting her business has a lot of expenses now with the work in South Amherst. “I know she’s (Jones) anxious to get it underway."
“Atkins is a huge opportunity for us,” Jones said. She said she’s “very hopeful” that something will happen.