Page 11 - BusinessWest July 24, 2023

“The area just keeps on growing —itgrewalot during COVID,
as a lot of places where people had second homes did. People moved
up here and got out of the city, and that’s a trend that has made
our winters much better.”
would be considered Southern Berkshire County, said Andrus, adding that this city of just over 7,000 people has “something for everyone.”
That list includes shops, mostly smaller, specialty shops in and around downtown, she said, as well as culture, most notably the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, where, this summer, visitors
can do everything from see some vintage films, from The Empire Strikes Back ( July 28) to The Lion King (Aug. 11), as part of its Fri- day Night Summer Movies series, to a live performance by Broad- way star and Tony Award winner Sutton Foster on Aug. 19.
It also includes outdoor recreation, she said, listing the Ski But- ternut resort, hiking, camping, and watersports facilities, among many others.
“Whoever comes here ... there’s going to be something for them,” Andrus said. “Whether you like opera or just want to sit and have dinner and listen to music, or shop, or antique, you can find it all here.”
For this, the latest in its ongoing Community Spotlight series, BusnessWest takes an in-depth look at Great Barrington, how it has staged an impressive recovery from COVID and its after-effects, and how it manages to live up to that promise of having something for everyone.
Taking Center Stage
Masiero told BusinessWest that, after working in the restaurant business for several years for various establishments, he was ready to get out and try something different.
“I was tired of working for other people and wanted out,” he said, adding that, around that time, Baba Louie’s came onto the market. He measured the risks and potential rewards of buying the establishment, and decided that the latter far outweighed the former.
“I realized I could be the owner, be the head guy,” he said. “I decided to take a chance on it and see what I could do.”
That was 23 years ago, he went on, adding that what he could do, and has done, is not only continue the business, but build on it, becoming a part of the fabric of the economy.
Betsy Andrus says that, while COVID negatively impacted most businesses in Great Barrington, valuable lessons were learned.
He’s opened a second location in nearby Hudson, N.Y., and moved the Great Barrington location from Main Street, where it held court until just before COVID, to a larger location on bustling Railroad Street.
There, it has thrived, he said, adding that the scene in Great Barrington today is characterized by vibrancy and energy, and not just during the summer,
thanks in large part to
that aforementioned
Great Barrington
>>
Continued on page 13
We’re here for local business.
Tomorrow is already on its way, and our job is
to set you up for success. As a local bank, we know what it takes to run a business around here. With personalized guidance and a suite of business products — free checking, online and mobile banking, cash management services and lending — we’re committed to helping your business grow and prosper.
Learn more at bankESB.com or call 855.527.4111.
Member FDIC | Member DIF
BusinessWest
<< COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT >>
JULY 24, 2023 11