Pause & Pivot officially launched its Easthampton location on April 26 at 190 Pleasant Street, a renovated building that formerly housed the American Legion. The farm store and cafe opened this week, with the event and workshop space scheduled to debut during the First Harvest Celebration on May 2. The expansion marks the next chapter for owners Terry Dawson and Miana Hoyt Dawson, who established the hydroponic farm operation five years ago.
The Dawsons purchased their Williamsburg property in 2010 but remained mobile for years—Terry traveled frequently for work while Miana spent much of each month in Minnesota. The COVID-19 pandemic changed their trajectory. Confined to their farm during lockdowns, they shifted from treating agriculture as a future retirement project to launching it as an active business. By 2021, Pause & Pivot was operational.
The philosophy guiding the new venture centers on what Miana calls "education through eating." Every workshop, tasting, and menu item aims to leave visitors with new knowledge about food or farming. The Easthampton space reflects this mission through its hybrid design—part retail, part event venue, entirely community-oriented. The renovations preserved the building's historic character: workers exposed 19th-century copper roofing and light maple flooring, while repurposing the Legion's wrap-around bar chestnut counters as checkout and coffee stations. Terry Dawson constructed a wooden backsplash from salvaged doors found in the basement.
The operation includes a working hydroponic farm contained in a white packing container visible from the Manhan Rail Trail. Farm Manager Lexi Fappinano-Whalen maintains vertical panels of lettuces, mustard greens, kale, and microgreens for sale. Two commercial kitchens and a liquor license enable Head of Food Operations Katie See to produce baked goods, soups, and prepared items. See, who relocated from a home baking business in Albany, New York, collaborated with Miana on an initial vision that began as a spreadsheet of cupcakes and has evolved into pop-up dinners and cross-farm partnerships.
The farm store operates from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, stocking Pause & Pivot products alongside sauces, spices, and dairy items from neighboring farms. The Main Hall accommodates community events including wine tastings and demonstrations. The Williamsburg location continues to support Community Shared Agriculture members and the Florence Farmers Market.
