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Carr Hardware Joins Forces to Expand into Connecticut
01:22PM / Friday, April 29, 2016
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Brightwood Hardware out of Longmeadow has forged a partnership with Carr Hardware & Supply Co. of Berkshire County, both members of the True Value Co-op.

Moe Fieldstein, of Brightwood Hardware, started out in the hardware business at the age of 8, working for his father Jacob at his store located in the Brightwood sector of Springfield. Brightwood Hardware would later move to its current location in Longmeadow.

During that same time period, Marshall Raser was making his way in the hardware industry. After discharge from the Army, Marshall worked at his family’s hardware store in Quincy before relocating to take over Carr Hardware in Pittsfield in 1962.

Raser and Fieldstein have provided passion for the hardware business and have passed the torch on to the next generation. That next generation comes in the form of Bart Raser and Ken Cohn, who learned they could leverage each other’s strengths by partnering together to grow the business.

This partnership will come in the form of Carr Hardware at Brightwood Center, located under one roof on Route 5 in neighboring Enfield, Conn.

“We are excited that leaving the plaza has presented us with this growth opportunity," Cohn said. "We have had a lot of fun at our current location and appreciate Big Y supporting Brightwood Hardware for many years. Big Y has been flexible with this transition and helpful in finding a new location.”

The transition will begin in the form a massive liquidation sale, in which everything, including products and fixtures, will be on sale. The liquidation, beginning on May 6, will set the stage for the new location, featuring brand new fixtures, lighting, and the latest equipment. This new, ground up hardware store will be designed based on the Destination True Value model that has been successful at Carr's North Adams location. Offering double the space, Carr will have larger selections that include key brands, such as Stihl, Carhartt, Milwaukee Tools, Pratt & Lambert Paints and Weber grills.

"We are excited for the opportunity to join forces with a well-known, community-focused hardware store," Raser said. "Leveraging our strengths and expanding the business will bring more offerings to the local customers.”

In addition, Carr is excited to expand its successful maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) business into the Pioneer Valley and northern Connecticut. Currently, Carr works with a variety of institutions, government, contractors and industrial customers throughout Massachusetts.

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