May 28, 2010, Mattapoisett, MA—TownWear™ by BER inc, available for sale throughout the SouthCoast (and in great demand), is the first company ever to receive the distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year award from the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce. This socially conscious apparel line was recognized for its rapid growth, charitable giving program, and free co-op marketing support.

“We are pleased to recognize TownWear™ for its outstanding commitment to its customers and the communities where TownWear™ is available,” Roy Nascimento, President and CEO of the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, said. “TownWear™ was selected through a very competitive selection process that included growth, staying power, social responsibility, and innovation.”

By April of this year, TownWear™ had more than doubled its sales and donated thousands of dollars to over a dozen local charities. “This success is due in great part to our outstanding authorized retailers who believe in our mission to celebrate what makes each and every town special,” Kerrin Adrian, executive director of TownWear™, commented.

TownWear™ is currently sold from New England to Florida (30 locations and growing!). Local authorized retailers include: The gift shop at the New Bedford ferry terminal (opening in mid-June), Moby Dick Retail, 27 William Street in New Bedford, Periwinkles and the Village Toy Shop at the Lifestyles Plaza on Route 6 in Fairhaven, Isabelle’s, at the Ropewalk Mall on Route 6 in Mattapoisett, Folia, 354 Elm Street in Padanaram, and Partners Village Store, 865 Main Road in Westport.

TownWear™ apparel is custom designed to spotlight a town’s history and landmarks, making these unique t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats the perfect souvenir and gift items for birthdays, holidays, special occasions, or any day. Known for one-of-a-kind designs, quality and comfort, TownWear™ has something for everyone—men and women of all ages, kids, toddlers, and even infants.

Every January, TownWear™ donates 5% of all its sales of each town line for the previous year to a local charity that has been selected by the authorized retailer. “TownWear™ is a rare product that helps small businesses support the towns where their stores are located and provides people with an opportunity to buy something meaningful, while giving back to the communities they care about,” Angela Ellis, TownWear™’s sales manager, noted.

TownWear™ also offers its authorized retailers invaluable free marketing support, including custom photography for advertising, online listing, press release templates, and custom point-of-sale signs. And TownWear™ supports local businesses by screen printing and embroidering its garments in New Bedford.

To find out other locations where TownWear™ is available or to learn more about becoming an authorized retailer, go to www.mytownwear.com.

Kerrin Adrian

Kerrin is executive director for BER inc. She has nearly 20 years of strategic brand development, management, and communications experience. In 2009, The New England Business Bulletin named Kerrin as one of the Top Young Professionals Under 40 in Southeastern, MA and RI. Kerrin has helped companies and individuals in the entertainment, hospitality, financial, legal, construction, real estate, medical, technology, manufacturing, insurance, retail, and nonprofit industries receive a profitable return on their branding and marketing investments.

She instituted BER inc’s educational program, Image Counts™, as well as BER inc’s corporate social responsibility and value-added benefits programs. Kerrin also developed and successfully brought BER inc’s award-winning TownWear™ apparel line to a national market.

Kerrin graduated magna cum laude from Boston University, with a Bachelor of Science in Communication.

Visit the BER inc website at: http://www.berinc.us

View all articles by Kerrin Adrian