Saturday, July 19, 2025

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Business Monday: Spotlight on Tony’s Berkshire Boats—providing expertise and service for over 65 years

This three-generation business has endured numerous ups and downs over the decades, buoyed by a commitment to honoring the family legacy.

TECH & INNOVATION: Job security in the face of AI

People who learn to leverage AI to increase their productivity will be safe.

CAPITAL IDEAS: How President Trump’s megabill will change your taxes

Democrats and Republicans agree that any big bill will include something they hate, including the ones on which they vote “yea.” This one is no different.

BUSINESS BRIEFS: Great Barrington naturopathic practice; Housatonic Valley Association new executive director; Downtown Pittsfield announces awardees; County Ambulance Service nationally recognized; Berkshire Health Systems...

The practice offers functional lab testing, nutritional counseling, herbal medicine, and lifestyle medicine, specializing in women's health, fertility, gut health, cardiovascular health, and general wellness.

BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on Lykke Living—a new retail shop in Lenox celebrating joy and simplicity

"Inspired by the Danish idea of lykke—lasting happiness—we’ve created a space that feels like a cozy cabin in the woods, where every item tells a story and every visit feels like home.”

Why did EILEEN FISHER come to Great Barrington?

"We feel a pull toward places that value the same things we do, and we felt that vibe here in Great Barrington.”

TECH & INNOVATION Berkshirian CultureTech, Part Two

Fiber changed everything. It allowed the Berkshires to leap from under-wired to hyperconnected, and young professionals are responding—coming here by choice, logging in from here by necessity.

CAPITAL IDEAS: When will tariffs affect your costs?

Companies are expecting to pass at least some of their tariff-related costs onto consumers in the coming months. Companies with lower profit margins, however, such as Walmart and Target, may have to pass on all, or at least most, of the tariff cost.

Business Monday: Spotlight on Calyx Berkshire Dispensary—encouraging ‘canna curiosity’

The Berkshires' first women-owned and -operated dispensary is focused on championing women and creating a safe and welcoming environment for them.

BUSINESS PERSPECTIVES: BerkShares Business of the Month is Matrushka Toys and Gifts

Making thoughtful and joy-filled choices with a mission to contribute to the overall well-being of the community.

CAPITAL IDEAS: What do higher oil prices mean for the U.S. economy?

In anticipation of and following major geopolitical tensions between Israel, Iran, and the United States, the cost of a barrel of crude oil in...

TECH & INNOVATION: “Berkshirian” CultureTech

Berkshirian Tech isn’t a brand. It’s a possibility. It’s what happens when you combine cultural depth with technological fluency, nature with network, soul with signal. The Berkshires could be the Florence of the 21st century. A place where culture and technology don’t compete but cross-pollinate.

Blackshires Leadership Accelerator celebrates graduation of its third cohort

Led by the Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation, the Leadership Accelerator is not your typical training program—it is a launchpad for BIPOC excellence rooted in equity, healing, and empowerment.

BUSINESS BRIEFS: EILEEN FISHER store opening in Great Barrington; Berkshire Medical Center resident graduation; Berkshire Art Center new board members; MountainOne wins ‘Telly Awards’; Images...

EILEEN FISHER determined that Great Barrington, which blends small-town charm with a vibrant downtown atmosphere and is known as a popular destination for vacationers and those seeking a more relaxed and cultured lifestyle, would serve as the perfect backdrop for the brand’s thoughtful approach to elevated design, sustainability, and slow fashion. 

BUSINESS MONDAY: Spotlight on Steven Valenti’s—a retail destination in downtown Pittsfield

For 43 years ago, the family-owned business has "provided a full range of quality men’s apparel, in a comfortable setting with great personal service."

CAPITAL IDEAS: Should millionaires buy long-term care insurance?

The advantages of peace of mind, asset preservation, and family protection must be weighed carefully against premium costs and policy complexities.