Tim and Laurel Sweeney, owners of Stone Ridge Wine and Spirits, started selling homes around Marbletown as Nutshell Realty in 2001. In 2004, wanting a national alliance, Nutshell became Prudential Nutshell, and now it's becoming Berkshire Hathaway.
"They're a strong brand," says Laurel, "They do fun things like the 'Love Your Home" sweepstakes on HGTV. They're high profile in the metro area."
There's little danger of confusion over the name change. The Sweeneys, who won a 2014 "Signs of Sustainability" award for a long list of volunteer activities, have a profile of their own. "The liquor store has just always been great for us," says Tim, "and it never ceases to amaze me how much real estate business starts there. Between both of them and the town board work, I probably end up talking to more people than any other individual in town in any given week." Nutshellrealty.com.
