If you have ever been to Carr Hardware then you know this award is well deserved! Carr Hardware has won the small business of the year award from Independent We Stand. iBerkshires.com reports that it also means the splash park project for Clapp Park is a winner. Carr Hardware won the "Indie Award" from the business organization and the local company pledged to donate the $5,000 cash prize to Rotary's efforts to build a new splash pad at Clapp Park.

A customer nominated Carr Hardware for the award and, on Nov. 20, the Berkshires-based business found out it was in the top 25 of 249 businesses across the country after a first round of voting. On Monday, it was announced Carr was in the top 10 and on Wednesday, Independent We Stand named Carr Hardware the winner.

"This year's winner exhibits the spirit of what makes independent businesses special — a focus on both customer service and the community," said Bill Brunelle, co-founder of Independent We Stand.

Carr Hardware garnered support through its mission to serve customers and the community by choosing a pay it forward approach with the prize winnings. The $5,000 cash prize will help pay for a splash pad at a community park. It's that type of local involvement and dedication we see from our nominees each year across the country; this award helps us recognize and reinforce those efforts."

Overall, Carr Hardware won some $50,000 worth of prizes. Besides the $5,000 cash prize, the company receives $1,000 for a small-business group of its choosing, $1,000 worth of Stihl equipment certificates, marketing services from Snap Retail, branding, advertising, and public relations assistance from the Meridian Group, three days and two nights at a branding retreat in Virginia Beach, and a plaque to display in the store.

Carr Hardware operates stores in Pittsfield, Lee, Great Barrington, and North Adams in Massachusetts, and stores in Avon and Enfield, Conn.

More From WUPE