Downtown New Bedford isn’t just a shopping opportunity; it’s a destination.
While Shop Small Saturday and the Holiday Stroll are appearing on consumer’s calendars, the Whaling City’s downtown area offers a diverse and unique experience that goes beyond special gifts for the holiday shopping season. The city provides visitors a chance to enjoy a day or a weekend that may include dining, culture, and services – from restaurants and bars, to galleries and museums, to entertainment and events.
You may come to New Bedford with a large shopping list, but you can enjoy your visit with a full itinerary.
“New Bedford has something that many cities don’t: it’s walking friendly,” says Elissa Paquette, President of Downtown New Bedford, Inc., and the proprietor of Calico, a women’s fashion store that has been open at 173 Union Street for 16 years. “You can spend an entire day or a weekend downtown without having to travel very far.”
This season, downtown New Bedford will have two days devoted to commerce and culture. Shop Small Saturday will take place on November 27 and the Holiday Stroll will be on Saturday, December 2.
Shop Small Saturday is a nationally-recognized day that takes place two days after Thanksgiving, following the notorious Black Friday shopping experience. The Holiday Stroll is an event particular to downtown New Bedford, a day that offers fire truck rides and visits with Santa Claus in addition to explorations of local stores and establishments.
Local Connection
“When you shop small you’re shopping curated collections that are hand-picked, and the vast variety of business owners are from New Bedford or neighboring towns,” says Kate Lowe, owner of Shimmer at 187 Union Street. “You’re going to meet the owners and build a reputation with them and they remember you when you come back. We get to learn about our customers and that leads to people becoming return customers. It’s something you won’t get in a larger metropolis.”
Shimmer offers a selection of non-toxic and cruelty-free beauty products, ranging from cosmetics to skin care, bath-and-body, and home care.
“Shopping small is something that people gravitate to nowadays,” Paquette says. “It’s a good way to keep money in the community.”
There is a neighborhood mentality amongst downtown business owners.
“There’s cross-promotion between businesses, we’re happy to recommend other downtown businesses to our customers if they tell us what they’re looking for,” Lowe says.
And if you’re looking for something to eat or drink, you have numerous options. You can choose from sushi and seafood, diners and high-end restaurants, wineries and breweries, gourmet pizzas and specialty soups, burgers and ice cream, vegan and exotic foods, along with a host of other taste temptations.
There are opportunities for entertainment, ranging from larger venues such as The Zeiterion Theatre and The Vault to bars featuring local performers. A day of shopping could be followed by dinner and a performance. The district also provides hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. If you’re interested in history and culture the area offers many museums and art galleries. Another enjoyable facet to the downtown experience is the bevy of art and colorful murals adorning many of the city’s walls.
“We love what we do and we want to share it with our customers,” Paquette says. “Once you’ve been introduced to downtown New Bedford you’ll want to return. If you enjoyed shopping during the holiday season you’ll probably want to return in the spring during the warmer weather.”
“There’s a lot of opportunities to buy vintage items,” says Ted Bolduc, owner of Cojo’s Toy World at 763 Purchase Street, which features nostalgic toys for kids of all ages. “Downtown is flourishing. You could spend an entire day just on Purchase Street.”
New Bedford has a great diversity that appeals to a broad range of demographics,” Lowe says. “Shop Small Saturday should be Shop Small Everyday.”
A visit to the website DowntownNB.org will provide a thorough catalog of opportunities in the region, helping you to navigate downtown on your phone.
