EASTHAMPTON, Mass. — It’s been a difficult summer for Margaret Larson and the dozens of artists at Cottage Street Studios in Easthampton — many of whom are in the process of moving their businesses.
What You Need To Know
- Several artists at Cottage Street Studios in Easthampton are in the process of moving their businesses.
- Since 1976, One Cottage Street Studios, a mill building owned by Riverside Industries, has served as a workspace for more than 80 artists.
- Tenants say they were told by management in April that their rent would be increasing drastically later this year in order to keep up with maintenance costs.
- They were told a decision on whether they would sign a new lease or leave would have to be made by Sept. 1.
Since 1976, One Cottage Street Studios, a mill building owned by Riverside Industries, has served as a workspace for more than 80 artists.
In April, Larson said she and the other tenants were told by management that their rent would be increasing drastically later this year in order to keep up with maintenance costs.
“All our rent would be going to $15 a square foot,” said Larson. “Those of us who have been around a long time who have very large spaces, that represents a 100% increase. For one tenant- that’s a 200% increase. It’s really undoable for most of us.”
“This was such a gift to be here and now it’s all being stripped away,” said Zaxwear owner Andrea Zax. “I feel very sad. It’s been grieving a loss of my business space and looking for a new one. I walk here from my home. I’m very lucky.”
Larson has been renting at the studio for nearly 20 years as co-owner of Cottage Street Woodworking & Cottage Street Golf.
Zax has been renting for close to a decade making custom wedding gowns along with other alterations.
They were told a decision on whether they would sign a new lease or leave would have to be made by Sept. 1.
Both have decided to move, but the process has been challenging from having stop work to moving costs.
“Maybe that’s $10,000 total?” said Larson. “That’s money I would much rather have given to Riverside as part of our regular rent. Because we were willing to take a raise in our rent, of course, but not 100%.”
“We’re just tenants. They have no respect for what we do,” said Zax. “What we contribute to the community. And I moved here from Belchertown because I wanted to be apart of the artist community and I got this studio and my house.”
We reached out to Riverside Industries for comment but they declined to speak on the matter.
Larson said she has found a new location in Easthampton and will be moving into the space along with a few other artists at One Cottage Street Studios.
She said it’s bittersweet, knowing a move will also mean a loss of community.
“We’ve also become very, very good friends with the people in the building,” Larson said. “We consider them family. We’ve worked with them, we’ve played with them, we’ve put on open studios with them so there is a real sense of loss with this community.”
