Eleva Tu Negocio — Learn, Connect, Grow
On Saturday, November 15, Guelmie Santiago went to bed “with a full heart,” she says. And for good reason.
Earlier that day, she watched her vision come fully to life. Eleva Tu Negocio, New Bedford’s first-ever Hispanic Expo—an event she had been planning meticulously for nearly four months with business partner Damaris Ferrer—filled the Whaler Inn on Hathaway Road with well over a hundred attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and supporters.
It was, in every sense, a landmark moment.
“We were able to provide a space for Hispanic people,” she explains, “for people who do not speak English as a first language but participate or operate in all sorts of businesses in the city.” New Bedford’s Hispanic business community is wide, creative, and increasingly influential—and on November 15, it took center stage.
That community includes Guelmie herself. Santiago Professional Services, located at 1913 Purchase Street, operates behind one of the most eye-catching storefronts in its district—an address that, as a recent New Bedford Economic Development Council feature story highlighted (link), has helped spark new energy along a once-quiet stretch of the street. In fact, Santiago’s Office Administrator, Rossana Bido, was instrumental in arranging the logistics of the event.
Eleva Tu Negocio brought together a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs, from professional services to retail innovators, beauty specialists, food businesses, and even media. Latina 100.3 broadcast live throughout the day, amplifying the celebration across the region.
The goal, says Santiago, was simple and powerful: to create an opportunity for learning and connection—and to demonstrate that New Bedford’s Hispanic community has the strength, talent, and unity to succeed on its own terms and in its own language.
That spirit aligns deeply with the Love The Ave philosophy. We are proud to count Guelmie Santiago and the Eleva Tu Negocio team among our partners, and we look forward to strengthening the bonds that make our city thrive.
Stay connected with all upcoming events by following Santiago Professional Services on Facebook.
Featured photo above by Mercado’s Snapshots.
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the New Citywide Comprehensive Plan: Strategy for the Next Decade*
(*But were afraid to ask.)
We asked for you—and pulled out highlights that directly relate to the North End and Acushnet Avenue. For this, we tapped Love The Ave partner and Assistant City Planner Michael McCarthy, one of the co-authors of the plan and a trusted resource for understanding how New Bedford is shaping its future.
Michael notes that the Vibrant Neighborhoods section specifically calls attention to The Ave as one of the city’s essential commercial corridors. The plan describes how New Bedford’s neighborhoods feature diverse housing types—Victorians, triple-deckers, loft conversions—and the commercial districts that sustain them. Among these corridors, Acushnet Avenue stands out as a hub of local commerce and cultural activity.
On page 41, the plan states under Robust and Vibrant Neighborhood Commercial Districts:
“Neighborhood commercial districts are home to the majority of small businesses in the city—restaurants on Acushnet Avenue, bakeries on County Street, neighborhood markets like Giammalvo’s on Purchase Street, the variety of small businesses along Kempton Street, and larger retail plazas on Kings Highway and Hathaway Road.”
And then comes page 59—where The Ave gets its well-earned spotlight:
“Acushnet Avenue/North End — Referred to colloquially as ‘The Ave,’ Acushnet Avenue is the central economic corridor of the city’s North End… a true melting pot of the cultures and traditions of the people of New Bedford, reflected in the variety of food, cultural events, and public art throughout the neighborhood.”
It’s rare for planning documents to capture the heart of a community so clearly—but this one does. The Ave matters, and it’s recognized as a cornerstone of the city’s next decade of growth.
Read the entire report—and all of page 59—here.
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SPECIAL EVENT
If you’ve ever felt your cooking needed a little more sazón, mark your calendar. The Community Economic Development Center (CEDC), 235 N. Front St. in the North End, is hosting a Mexican Cooking Class with Chef Edith on Friday, December 12.
Learn new flavors, expand your culinary skills, and enjoy a fun, hands-on cultural experience. Receive a spot by calling Joselyn at 508-979-4684.
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Shop Small, Shop The Ave
Support local businesses this holiday season! Acushnet Avenue offers a treasure trove of eateries, shops, and services and many will be offering special deals or promotions throughout December. Courtesy of the City of New Bedford, parking is also FREE on The Ave for up to two hours, too!
Almost all delicious eateries on Acushnet Avenue and throughout the greater Love The Ave in the North End offer gift cards – especially helpful for those hard to buy for folks in your life. Grab lunch or dinner for yourself while you’re there making your purchase!
Whatever you choose to buy or share this holiday season, do it with Love The Ave in your heart. Shopping small strengthens our community, so make The Ave your destination this December.
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Holiday Happenings in North End New Bedford
SUNDAY, DEC. 7 — Brunch with the Grinch at RoyalT
1856 Acushnet Avenue
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$10 per child (includes pictures with the Grinch & Cindy Lou Who + brunch buffet)
$15 per adult
Reserve by Dec. 3 by calling 508-742-6907.
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SATURDAY, DEC. 6 – St. Nicholas Day Children’s Celebration
This one’s nit in the North End, but our partners at the Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford is responsible for the fun so we wanted to include. From 1-3:00 p.m. today at Our Lado of the Assumption Church Hall, 47 S. 6th St., New Bedford, you’re invited to brings the kids to meet St. Nicholas and have some festive fun enjoying crafts and games. Of course, there will be treats and snacks, and it’s all free to attend – but you must register here.
SUNDAY, DEC. 7 — European-Style Christmas Market at The Feast Grounds
Join the organizers of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament for a festive holiday market at the Madeira Feast grounds, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Expect:
- Unique local vendors
- Delicious seasonal foods
- Family-friendly activities
Bonus: The first 100 children receive a special gift from Mr. and Mrs. Claus!
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SATURDAY, DEC. 13 — Breakfast with Santa & Holiday Craft Bazaar
Hosted by Global Learning Charter Public School
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Enjoy breakfast, browse handmade crafts, and celebrate the season with the GLCPS community.
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And finally….
Before we leave you for the month – with best wishes for a fantastic holiday season – we’d like to share these photos with you, courtesy of Global Learning Charter Public School. It’s located just off The Ave behind St. Anthony of Padua Church. The pictures are from what’s become an anticipated annual event, the school’s yearly Cultural Bazaar. This year marked the 9th edition of the bazaar, and it looks like everyone had a fun fine time celebrating the diversity to be found around Acushnet Avenue and throughout the City of New Bedford.
