BerkShares Local Currency

Home
United States
Great Barrington, MA
BerkShares Local Currency

Local Currency for the Berkshire Region. Obtain BerkShares at any branch of Lee Bank or Pittsfield Cooperative Bank's Great Barrington branch.

Spend BerkShares at hundreds of participating businesses across the region. Learn more at our website.

08/19/2026

What makes a healthy local economy worth fighting for?

Nick Keene and Jenny Rubin’s story illustrates the meaning behind a strong local economy.

As owners of The Barn in Egremont from 2013 – 2025, they devoted themselves to creating a space where community members could be themselves and find connection, and when the community needed that space the most, they went to heroic lengths to keep it alive.

At every turn, their decision making was rooted in what they believed The Barn could provide for their community, even when it meant personal or financial sacrifice.

Their story reminds us that a healthy local economy is about incubating the type of community-first, values-driven mindset in people who are willing to step up to meet the community’s needs where the traditional economy falls flat.

08/15/2026

Nothing like a little local love in the tip jar 💙

Spotted at The Wee Chickpea - Falafel & Fine Catering

08/12/2026

Local Currency 🤝 Local Food

BerkShares is YOUR local currency for the Berkshires. Get your BerkShares at any branch of Lee Bank or the GB branch of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, then spend them like cash at hundreds of small local businesses. (Including more than 30 local farms!)

Learn more at BerkShares.org

07/29/2026

Have you ever dreamt of printing your own money? In the Berkshires, this dream has been alive for nearly 20 years!

You may recognize BerkShares as our local currency for the Berkshire region; but how were BerkShares made to begin with?

Swipe to take a flash back to the work that went into designing, printing, and distributing BerkShares👉

07/22/2026

What’s a farm to do with their BerkShares? Keep them in the community, of course!

At Indian Line Farm (Elizabeth Keen), you can use BerkShares to buy local AND feel confident that your money will continue circulating locally. Indian Line Farm uses the BerkShares they receive to pay monthly dues to the Berkshire Community Land Trust!

07/14/2026

More than funny money!

BerkShares isn’t just another way to pay. It’s a way to support your neighbors, connect with your community, and keep the Berkshires thriving.

Where will you spend your next BerkShare?

06/29/2026

Bizalion’s Fine Food co-owner Jean-François Bizalion emphasizes the unexpected connections between Provence and the Berkshires, the merits of Volcanic grown olive oil, and the importance of gaining…

06/27/2026

Put your values where your wallet is: support your local economy with BerkShares!

When you spend BerkShares at any of the hundreds of businesses that proudly take them, you make a conscientious decision to prioritize local businesses and a place-based economy right here . By keeping more money circulating locally, you contribute to a local multiplier effect where your everyday purchases lead to a continued circulation of wealth within our region. BerkShares plugs the holes in a leaky economy!

Check out our page or visit the link in our bio to learn more about BerkShares and why community members like Elizabeth Keen (owner of Indian Line Farm) proudly spend and accept them.

06/23/2026

🥖 Bizalion’s Fine Food is our June Business of the Month! ☀️

🫒 Tucked away just south of downtown Great Barrington, Bizalion’s has brought a taste of Provence to the Berkshires for more than two decades. Founded by Jean-François and Helen Bizalion, their business model goes beyond just a restaurant. Bizalion’s blends café, shop, and gathering place into one welcoming space, good for a sit-down meal, a quick snack grab, or anything in between. Plus, you can buy their Sicilian volcanic-grown olive oil in bulk, which is in fact “mild, fruity and a little citrusy!” 🌋

🇫🇷Raised in Provence, Jean-François developed his love of olive oil through his family’s involvement in a community-owned olive mill. Reflecting on BerkShares, Jean-François notes: “We have always supported the philosophy of BerkShares in fostering a stronger local economy.”

🔗 Read the full story at the link below, or keep an eye out for it in The Berkshire Edge and streamed on WSBS Radio (860 AM and 94.1 FM)!

https://berkshares.org/bizalions-fine-food-june-2026/

06/16/2026

Business After Hours:

BerkShares Local Inc. was delighted to host the June Business After Hours for the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, held at the Schumacher Center for a New Economics!

We enjoyed seeing faces new and familiar while hearing more about what’s going on in the Southern Berkshire business community.

Thank you to our 60 attendees for creating a warm (perhaps too warm 😉) and energetic atmosphere!

Address

P. O. Box 125
Great Barrington, MA
01230

Telephone

+14135288130

Website

http://www.berkshares.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when BerkShares Local Currency posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to BerkShares Local Currency:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Great Barrington?