Great Barrington Price Chopper Rebranding as Market 32

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Following the vote of approval for a wine and malt liquor license for the Great Barrington Price Chopper by the town's Selectboard, Price Chopper/Market 32 will launch plans to modernize and expand its store under the company's Market 32 banner.
 
"We've been committed to the Great Barrington community for nearly three decades and, being on equal footing with other stores in the area will enable us to proceed with our plans to convert our store into a contemporary food and service-focused Market 32," said Price Chopper/Market 32 President Blaine Bringhurst.
 
The construction timeline for the conversion will be finalized when all of the permitting is in place, but the company hopes to unveil its newest Market 32 in time for 2024 holiday season. The store will remain open throughout the conversion process.
 
The look and feel of Market 32, which was driven by customer research, is more contemporary than the Price Chopper brand, though many of the differences are subtle. Marked by open space, a décor filled with earth tones and product-focused displays, murals and lighting, the brand emphasizes convenient, ready-to-eat foods; fresh, handcrafted, and locally grown, produced and manufactured products; and intuitive product/department adjacencies (e.g., greeting cards next to the floral department; craft beer next to salty snacks), according to a press release.
 
"We're thrilled that the Town Selectboard has approved this license and we're very excited to bring Market 32 to our customers in Great Barrington," said Bringhurst. "This investment reflects our continued commitment to the community that has come to rely on us for high quality products, exceptional service, and unparalleled value."

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Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
"Her story reminds us that progress is often made because ordinary people perform extraordinary acts of courage. By honoring Elizabeth Freeman, we honor not only her struggle for freedom, but also the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice for all. Her example teaches us that courage is contagious," he said. 
 
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