“Being in business on North Street is kind of like being really popular in high school, but having really embarrassing parents,” says Jessica Rufo, owner of Dottie's Coffee Lounge at 444 North St. “We're all doing so well, but Mom and Dad are, like, passed out in the living room and, like, their car is always dented up.”

Upon the invitation from The Eagle, Mayor Linda Tyer walked Pittsfield's North Street to discuss the concerns of the business district, which include vandalism, parking tickets, and a lack of police presence.