In light of recent news articles and as a former employee of Fort Hill Brewery in Easthampton, MA, I’m asking residents to pledge to boycott Fort Hill Brewery products and services. The toxic work environment perpetuated by brewery owner Eric Berzins, and his unlawful building of unpermitted construction and subsequent harassment of city officials should not continue to be tolerated by the City of Easthampton. Mr. Berzins has demonstrated that he is not of sound mind to deal with the public, nor is he able and willing to run his brewery within the legal limitations presented by city planners. When is enough enough?

The Pioneer Valley is a close-knit community that thrives on diversity and support of local business. When Eric Berzins moved from Connecticut into our community to begin construction of his brewery, he came backed with full financial funding from his ex-Lehman Brothers banker father, shipping $1 million worth of brewing equipment in from overseas when he could have acquired it locally and supported our small towns. Several neighbors protested the development of a noisy brewery next to their homes. Notably, no women or people of color were hired by Eric for the first few years of production for any work other than bartending or volunteer duties, though they approached him for opportunities. During my brief time working for Fort Hill Brewery, I endured unwanted advances by a married male employee in a leadership role who was allowed to retain his position. I was made to routinely overhear sexist, fatphobic, classist and hurtful remarks made by members of the Berzins family and staff. And of more serious concern to the community at large, I witnessed illicit drug transactions take place on the grounds of the brewery as employees would give out kegs of Fort Hill beer to members of the public in exchange for drug paraphernalia. Eric Berzins is known to harass customers and city officials alike. Last year, the Hampshire Gazette published the below article shedding light on the disturbing details of Berzins' fights with City Hall members, highlighting one incident in which he threatened our own mayor: 

https://www.gazettenet.com/After-emails-revealed-Easthampton-mayor-hopeful-Eric-Berzins-claims-deadly-conspiracy-43073795

Surprisingly, these allegations seem to have done little to impact Berzins' business, and he continues to plan further expansions of the brewery. The shameful, greedy, and capitalistic values of Mr. Berzins, the Berzins family, and his staff are a complete antithesis to everything our townspeople stand for and want representing our community. Why should we continue funneling money into his hands when we have several better options of local breweries to choose from? Until Berzins reconciles to be complicit to the orders of Easthampton city planners in acquiring permits for his construction before beginning building, and until he works towards repairing the toxic, broken work environment he has created at the brewery and in the community beyond, I urge the readers of this petition to declare a boycott of Fort Hill Brewery.

*If this petition receives sufficient signatures, I will be connecting with a reporter at the Hampshire Gazette so that they may reference it for a future publication.