Brinestone opens retail computer and gaming store

May 28, 2010 by admin
Filed under Business

Brinestone is having a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate their relocation to 116 Route 101 A in Amherst in the former Ceratec building on Saturday, June 5th. The added space and visibility allows Bernard to expand the retail part of the business. The retail space will be fully stocked with the well-known brands of computers, parts and accessories. Brinestone will also begin to sell PC, PS3 and Xbox games. The public is invited to join in the celebration of Brinestone’s expansion and the support it provides to local veterans.

Brinestone's Grand Opening at 116 Route 101A in Amherst

Brinestone president, Matt Bernard served in the active Army from 1995-2000 and reenlisted in the Reserves and National Guard following the attack of 9-11. In 2005, Matt volunteered for a tour in Iraq, he was hit not once but twice within a week’s time and was severely injured from a road-side bomb. He would later be awarded two Purple Hearts for service and wounds in Iraq.

Bernard’s transition home to Milford was “too quick” he says and he didn’t receive the services he now realizes he needed for the adjustment. He was fortunate to have a supportive family to help. Many returning veterans are not so lucky. He helped create a Soldier Transition program with the New Hampshire National Guard that was modeled off his experiences during his transition. This programmed helped fill the gaps where resource was either available or lacking.

In 2007, Matthew produced a documentary about two New Hampshire veterans and their story of being homeless here in New Hampshire. His goal was to show the problem, the face of the program and what is being done here locally to help fix the problem of veteran homelessness.

In 2008, Matt first started Brinestone that specializes in IT Managed Services, Retail, Repair and Web Design at Harbor Homes, a non-profit organization that assists veterans in the Southern New Hampshire region. Matt was given some cubicle spaces and began training veteran clients on how to become computer technicians.

It wasn’t too long that Brinestone moved into its first office on Emerson Road in Milford, NH. It just took one year on Emerson Road, lots of hard work and a strong staff of people that enabled the growth for the company and proved that Matt’s idea of giving veterans a chance for training and a career in IT was all that was needed to help change not only their lives but the immense growth for Brinestone. “People just need to find it within their heart and budget to hire veterans,” Bernard says.

Not to discount Bernard’s personal military recognitions, the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce recently awarded Brinestone as Business Leader of 2010 by a Committee from the Chamber and by peers. “Brinestone is more than a business”, as Matt explains. “It’s the people within that make all the difference. Politics put aside, we strive to support veterans in our community by providing opportunities. I can’t think of a better way to support our troops!”