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This is an artist rendering of the new trolley barn building in North Amherst that building owner Cinda H. Jones said would be a perfect site for Atkins North, a satellite for Atkins Farms Country Market in South Amherst
AMHERST – The owner of Atkins Farms Country Market is again considering opening a second shop in North Amherst in a new building owned by WD Cowls.
Two years ago, Atkins Farms officials were considering opening a second market in the former Cowls sawmill building in North Amherst but decided against it because they were in involved in a number of projects at their South Amherst store.
Also, a state road project to put in two roundabouts at the site were under way and straining the business. At that time, they were thinking of moving to the sawmill, which closed Jan. 1, 2010, after 242 years in business.
Now they are considering a move to a new building on 68 Cowls Road called The Cowls Trolley Barn that calls for three luxury condominiums and 2,000 square feet of retail commercial space. The building looks like the old trolley barn that collapsed there.
Building owner Cinda H. Jones is hoping to encourage company President Pauline Lannon to open the shop and has started a petition drive on Moveon.org called "We Want Atkins North!" and is seeking 200 signatures.
The petition reads “If you build a 2000sf Best of Atkins specialty shop in North Amherst that sells fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, baked goods, grab and go meals, and offers the opportunity to special order birthday cakes and fruit baskets, we will come!!”
As of Monday afternoon, 166 had signed.
Lannon said they met with Jones last week to talk about the project. “We’re thinking about it,” she said. “Nothing definite.” She said she doesn’t expect to make any kind of decision until after Thanksgiving.
The business this summer celebrated its 50th anniversary. The first shop was 40 or 50 square feet and had one employee selling apples that Howard Atkins grew in his orchards.
Atkins Farms now is more than 40,000 square feet and employs more than 160 people.