By By Maryjane Williams,The Berkshire Eagle

Copyright berkshireeagle

PITTSFIELD — Amanda Johnston grew up helping her father at his Sheffield-based silk screening business, Blue Point Design, creating custom T-shirts for businesses throughout South County.

Now, alongside illustrator and co-owner Seth Williams, Johnston is channeling her early experiences into Penny Arcade Press, a new store, creative studio and community space opening this fall in downtown Pittsfield.

“There’s sort of been a move away from community and from things that aren’t just work,” Johnston said. “Here’s a space where it doesn’t have to be work … you’re also welcome to come and hang out here while [Williams] is printing, while I’m working on something. It’s a cool spot to be and hang out.”

The shop, which will operate during the day and after typical work hours, will sell custom silk-screen printed items wholesale, hats, accessories, home décor and products from other local makers like Roach and Ill Mindset. It will also feature sweatshirts, totes, patches and posters with designs by Williams, who studied illustration.

“I kind of just have a natural need to create art and designs,” Williams said. “I carried what I learned in college into starting a career and making merch, and also combining my graphic design skills for artwork and creating logos for other people … I’m hoping to have a little bit of art that kind of fits everybody.”

Williams hand-dyes all the clothing, while Johnston, a sewer, plans to experiment with handmade pieces using unique fabrics.

But the vision for Penny Arcade Press goes far beyond retail. Johnston and Williams want to create a “third space” where people can gather, collaborate and build community. With the closing of Dottie’s Coffee Lounge and Garden skate and snowboard shop, they hope to fill a void in Pittsfield’s arts and youth culture.

“I feel like in the Berkshires in general, there’s like a real tailoring toward only tourists, which, sort of leaves local people with not as much to do or buy or be part of,” Johnston said. ​​”There’s clearly this desire for community, and people who are here and looking for it, and shouldn’t they have a full hangout?”

From talking with and getting advice from Mike Dell’Aquila at Hot Plate, they are hoping to create a similar “bright, retro, fun” environment tailored toward the city’s young, artsy skater crowd, with arcade machines, books, puzzles, board games, couches, live music and a shared studio on the top floor.

“We love the vibe of Pittsfield,” Williams said. “[But] we think that it could be, and it should be, a better place for artists to be at.”

They also plan to host community classes and workshops at the 136 South St. shop, including drawing nights and clothing dye tutorials. A silk press will be set up in the back of the store so customers can watch the printing process, Johnston said.

Johnston and Williams have already done live printing at community events, which they said drew strong interest, especially from skaters and thrifters.

“People love to see [Williams] printing … it’s like an immediate, ‘What are you doing?’” Johnston said. “With the skaters, there’s a big overlap with the thrifters and handmade people, and having it made right in front of you is like the next step of shopping small.”

Penny Arcade Press also uses water-based inks, which are more environmentally friendly than the plastisol inks used by most major printers, Johnston said.

As they prepare for their fall opening, Johnston and Williams said they are eager to become part of Pittsfield’s growing downtown revival.

“I’m just so excited to have people come and see [the store] and like, be around people,” Johnston said.