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April 23, 2009
Dear BerkShares Businesses,
The Bookloft in Great Barrington is thinking double time to encourage their
customers to use BerkShares and support the local economy. "You save 5%
using Berkshares - and we'll match it!" exclaim Bookloft signs and
advertisements.
Recently the bookstore began offering 5% off on all purchases made using
BerkShares, giving BerkShares users a full 10 percent discount and
stimulating ever greater interest and conversation about the role and
importance of our local currency.
In this difficult economic climate, the Bookloft's initiative is just one
example of creative use of BerkShares.
Businesses are reporting that they are finding new ways to recirculate the
BerkShares they earn, keeping wealth within the regional economy. They are
using the BerkShares directory to identify and make new business
connections. Not in the directory -- businesses still ask other business
owners if they will accept payment in BerkShares and often the answer is,
“Yes!” Payment in BerkShares means cash at the moment of purchase, no
billing, no checks, no credit card fees. Makes sense.
At the same time BerkShares continues to bring national and international
press to the Berkshires. Fox News, CNN, NBC, Japanese TV, Al Jazeera, and
USA Today have all done recent stories on BerkShares as an example of
citizens working together to support their local economy. The USA Today
story was picked up by Huffington Post drawing over 233,000 hits to the
BerkShares website in one day. BerkShares.org is averaging over 47,000 hits
per day in April.
The Snap Shop, Tom's Toys, the Red Lion Inn, Rubiners, Berkshire Bike and
Blade, Guidos, Berkshire Bank, Lee Bank, Fuel, Route 7 Grill, Great
Barrington Town Hall, and the Main Streets of Great Barrington and
Stockbridge have all been featured in these articles and TV news shows.
Office staff is kept busy posting the latest at the BerkShares web site.
Impatient to see them more quickly? Google “BerkShares” and click on news
link at upper left hand of screen.
New businesses are signing up daily to accept BerkShares, providing new
opportunities for recirculation. A list follows and is posted on the front
page of the online directory.
We welcome your innovative stories of BerkShares use.
Thank you for your participation,
The BerkShares Team
P. O. Box 125
Great Barrington, MA 01230
www.berkshares.org
413 528-1737
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A Stockbridge Room
12 Quiet Knoll, Stockbridge, MA 01262
(413) 298-3807
Contact Person: Stuart Kelso
Contact e-Mail: sky1953@yahoo.com
http://www.stockbridgeroom.com
Bed and Breakfast...without the breakfast." An economical alternative to the
standard bed and breakfast, 4 minutes to Tanglewood and Kripalu Center.
Berkshire Trade & Commerce
137 North Street, Suite 210, Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 447-7700
Contact Person: Brad Johnson
Contact e-Mail: btac@bcn.net
Berkshire Trade & Commerce, The Business Journal for Berkshire County,
publishes a wide selection of news stories and features that reflect
business trends and commercial activity in Berkshire County. We feel that
providing our readers with a high-quality editorial product that is relevant
to their interests is the best way to maximize exposure for our advertisers
and generate interest in their products and services.
Berkshire Harvet Restaurant
55 Pittsfield Rd #2, Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-9777
Contact person: Robert Cohen
Contact e-Mail: rcohen.bhg@gmail.com
http://www.theberkshireharvest.com
Proudly serving locally sourced meals at an affordable price.
Berkshires-Shirakaba B&B
20 Mallery Road, New Ashford, MA 01237
(413) 458-1800
Contact person: Louise Palmer
Contact e-Mail: berkshires.shirakaba@gmail.com
http://www.berkshires-shirakaba.com
Quiet Japanese-American retreat on 21 acre hilltop in New Ashford. Optional
Japanese dinners available to guests. Contact us about dinners/luncheons or
special events.
Birdseye Builders Inc.
553 West Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 229-3145
Contact person: Ken Lawton, LEED AP
Contact e-mail: birdseyebuilders.com
http://www.birdseyebuilders.comwww.birdseyebuilders.com
For 25 years, Birdseye Builders has provided all phases of Construction,
Green Building, and The Versatile Pole Barn.
Eagle pestco
PO Box 742, Becket, MA 01223
(877) 463-2453
Contact person: Rob Fairchild
Contact e-Mail: ronepc@yahoo.com
http://www.epestco.com
We protect your investment from infestation.
I’ll Do It! Concierge Service
802 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254
(413) 358-8080
Contact Person: Pam Knisley
Contact e-Mail: pam@illdoitconcierge.com
http://www.illdoitconcierge.com
Errands, preparing homes for periodic visits, delivery services, party
planning, etc.
Lisa Vollmer
59 Taconic Avenue, Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 429-6511
Contact Person: Lisa Vollmer
Contact e-Mail: lvollmer@hotmail.com
www.lisavollmer.com
Freelance - assignment and fine art photography.
Pilates in the Berkshires
9 South Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262
(413) 329-3514
Contact Person: Uli Nagel
Contact e-Mail: pilatesintheberkshires.com
http://www.pilatesintheberkshires.com
Pilates studio and back care for one on one and small group classes.
Sacred Blossom Doula & Massage
13 Benton Ave, Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 329-4933
Contact person: Kelly Bancroft
Contact e-Mail: kelly@sacredblossombirth.com
http://www.sacredblossombirth.com
Offering birth and postpartum doula services, as well as massage for
pregnancy and beyond...
Seward's Tires
952 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 528-3168
Contact person: Pat Seward
Contact e-Mail: sewardstires@aol.com
http://www.sewardstires.com
Seward's Tires, Inc. is a family owned and operated tire retail sotre
serving the tri-state area since 1973; handling all major tire brands;
specializing in alignments, brakes, suspension, routine maintenance service
and tire repairs.
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