The Whiting Block in downtown Great Barrington was built in 1894. Frederick Whiting and his son operated Whiting’s Drug Store at the site. The Masonic Hall was located on an upper floor when the above photograph was taken, circa 1901. By the 1920s, an A&P grocery store was a tenant. Later businesses included Tripodes’ Candy Kitchen, Paul’s Restaurant, Village Hardware, and Tom’s Toys. The Baldwin block (to the right of the Whiting block) was home to Dewey’s dry goods store. It burned in 1918 and a new building was constructed in 1921. Businesses located in the Baldwin Block over the years included E.P. Hunt, Grand Union, Kelsey’s Barrington Market, Town and Country Luncheonette, Ptak’s Housatonic Appliance Center, and H.S. Andrews Insurance, to name just a few.
It is noted with a touch of irony and humor that the old Drug Store is now home to Calyx Berkshire Cannabis Dispensary. According to the company, which bills itself as “Not Your Typical Flower Shop,” the name “Calyx” is taken from the female marijuana plant. All flowering plants have calyxes, but apparently the calyxes of female cannabis plants are coveted commodities. The front of the store was recently painted with a giant flower mural by artist Joel Haynes, as shown below.
