Central American cheeses. Mexican cooking bases. West African, Jamaican, and Caribbean ingredients.
“People come here for specific items native to their food cultures,” said Goundo Behanzin, who owns Berkshire International Market in Pittsfield for the past 12 years, and has worked at BCArc for the past 20.
Every patron knows him by now, and he knows every face who walks in. “If I’m not here, my cell phone starts ringing, people want to know if I’m ok, they think something is wrong. People expect me here. I’m the store owner, but I’m also a counselor, I listen to a lot of personal stories,” he says, laughing. “Even the Mayor comes in occasionally to see how it’s going.”
Goundo moved from Africa’s Ivory Coast to Brooklyn in 1994, where he met his future wife, who was living in the Berkshires. After Sept. 11, 2001, he decided to move to the Berkshires, “a better place to raise our kids.” He started working at BCArc. His wife also worked at BCArc as a certified nurse assistant for several years. Goundo regularly bought food from the International Market. The owner at the time – Brazilian — talked to him about selling the store. Goundo, who has an accounting background, was interested, and eventually bought it from him.
“If I’m not here, my cell phone starts ringing, people want to know if I’m ok, they think something is wrong. People expect me here. I’m the store owner, but I’m also a counselor, I listen to a lot of personal stories. Even the Mayor comes in occasionally to see how it’s going.”
Today he works the store 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., six days a week. Sundays are for relaxing and attending church. If he needs to get away from the store, his brother and sister-in-law cover for him. His wife sadly passed away late last year, leaving Goundo with two children. A celebration of her life was held in April at St. Charles Catholic Church.
Goundo works overnight shifts four times a week at a BCArc program in Pittsfield. His shift is designated a “sleep” shift – he is there only for emergencies where six individuals with brain injuries live. Fortunately, he says, “I get good sleep there, and am not needed often.”
A steady stream of customers come through the store at all hours. While the shelves are stocked with international foods, he also sells the staples of a local convenient store – ice cream, breads, candy bars, and lottery tickets. “I order specialty items when people ask. And I try to stay ahead and keep the store filled with new products.” Often he gets calls for esoteric items from parents who are helping their kids with school projects, and he’ll make sure to get those items. While the business goes up and down like all businesses, it’s been largely steady and he hopes to stay where he is for many years, and continue at BCArc.
“It’s worked out well. I feel fortunate to have both opportunities,” Goundo says. “It’s good to be part of this community.”
