Berkshire Unity Through Community

11/24/2021

Check out our IG for updates on local events this holiday season. Support Local Business and Shop Small

IG: berkshireunitythrucommunity

09/17/2021

Join us in raising funds for Elizabeth Freeman Center and show your support in one or more of the upcoming walks throughout the Berkshires.

03/03/2021

Sunshine in Great Barrington and feeling hope for humanity. Inspirational murals remind us daily that Black Lives Matter. Fewer COVID restrictions may make us feel more freedom, but let’s not lose focus on the changes that need to be made until all people feel FREE from the systemic racism that exists in this world. UNITY THROUGH COMMUNITY

01/02/2021

Berkshire Unity Through Community called on you and you answered! 🙏🤩

Thank you Berkshire County residents (friends and neighbors) for coming together and helping support our Small Business Owners across Berkshire County

WE encourage you to continue to keep your money in our local economy by supporting the owners that make our community unique and support the diverse workforce they employ.

Thank you to for helping spread the word about our mission and volunteer efforts.

A BIG thanks to the small business owners who donated gift cards and prizes to the BERKSHIRE ONLINE BINGO WINNERS! We had over $1,500 in prizes! 💰

And to our volunteers and partners: ❤️
Brandon Casella
Hailey, Ty, Evi, and Jason Higgins
Mike Meaney
Molly and Bridget Stephen
Brandon Mauer
Dion Brown
Thank you for generously offering your time to help create the opportunity to give back to our local business’.

Berkshire Unity Through Community began in Q4 2020 and we are looking forward to making an even greater impact throughout 2021!

Let’s continue to put our Conversations Into Action!

Health, peace, & love in 2021,
Jaime Higgins & Dan Joslyn, Co-Founders, BUTC @ The Berkshires

12/26/2020

Small Business Owners: You have to apply for this through your banker the same way as ppp but it’s through the state so nothing will be dispersed until after the federal covid bill is passed so it’s kinda in limbo. Let us know if you need help applying!

BOSTON — A day after announcing new business restrictions aimed at preventing a post-Christmas boom of COVID-19, Gov. Charlie Baker launched a massive new $668 million relief fund to help

12/22/2020

GET TO KNOW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS (Lenox/Lee)

Check out our friends Molly, her father Sean,, and of course KEVIN, their friendly, lovable and loyal dog.

Do you know the history behind this family owned and operated retailer? Read below...

History

Ben Slaminsky told that to his daughters, Jane and Marcia, many years ago. He knew better than to have customers walk out of their Main Street store with something they wouldn’t like. The women have continued their father’s insistence on personalized service, that has kept Ben’s going for 83 years.

The store opened as an Army/Navy Store in 1932, the year of FDR’s election, a year lodged between the stock market crash of 1929 and the impending war in Europe.

When the store opened, older brother, George was the owner and Benny was his employee. After the war, Ben who had enlisted in the Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge married Ruth from New Jersey and bought out his brother…George opened another Army/Navy Store in Great Barrington.

Ruth encouraged her husband to take the bold step and she remained an important partner in the business until her death in 2011.

In 1970, Ben doubled the size of the store and changed the name to “Ben’s”. He came to the store everyday until his death in 1985. Daughters, Jane and Marcia have continued the family tradition ever since.

In 2016, the store was bought by Sean and Tracy Stephen of Stockbridge, MA. They have kept the small town feel and connection with locals and have enlisted the help of their daughters to keep the store in the family.

12/21/2020

We had the most amazing meal tonight from take a look at the photos and their amazing family deals. $45 feeds a family of four and the portions are insane!!! 😍 @ Frankie's Ristorante