image description — Carr Hardware is the only business in Massachusetts to make it to the quarterfinals of the "Independent We Stand Small Business of the Year Award."

Carr Hardware In Quarterfinals For Small Business Of Year Award

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
11:51AM / Thursday, December 07, 2017Print Story | Email Story

Vote for the Independent Small Business of the Year Award here.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Carr Hardware is the only business in Massachusetts to make it to the quarterfinals of the "Independent We Stand Small Business of the Year Award."

And, if it wins, the local company plans on donating that money right back into the community.

Carr Hardware says the small business organization Independent We Stand is giving out $5,000 to this year's winner. If Carr gets it, it will be donated toward building a new splash pad at Clapp Park.

"It is perfect for the kids. It gives them a safe and healthy place to go to," said Director of Marketing Geoffrey Webb. "This is just another way to give back to the community."

A customer had previously nominated Carr Hardware for the award and on Nov. 20, the Berkshires-based business found out it was in the top 25 of 249 businesses across the country after a first round of voting.

"I am very proud of our team members, at each of our six locations, which were instrumental in helping us be recognized by Independent We Stand by their commitment to providing superior service to our customers," said Vice President Bart Raser in a statement.

"I encourage folks to log onto the website often and vote for Carr, if we do receive the Indie Award I have committed to donate 100 percent of the cash proceeds towards the rebuild the new Splash Park project in Pittsfield."

Webb said the contest puts a lot of emphasis on what small businesses do for the community. Carr Hardware next year will be entering its 90th year since it was founded and prides itself on being a community partner. It operates stores in Pittsfield, Lee, Great Barrington, and North Adams in Massachusetts, and stores in Avon and Enfield, Conn.

"This year's quarterfinals represent the independent businesses from across the country who go above and beyond to support their local economies," said Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand in a statement. "This award is our way of honoring the contributions they've made to their communities."

The splash park project is part of an ongoing effort to revamp Clapp Park. Both the Rotary Club and the Buddy Pellerin Field Committee are supporting a number of park improvement projects eyed for the park. Carr Hardware is a member of the Rotary Club, which has specifically eyed the creation of the new splash pad.

"It is one of the causes the Rotary Club is behind," Webb said.

The voting for the contest is open to the public. But one can only vote once a day. Voting ends on Dec. 10 and is done online here.

Tags: contest, small business,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

View Full Story