This past week, the online news source The New Bedford Light posted a disturbing report entitled “Impact of Trump policies worsens for immigrant businesses; Store owners on Acushnet Avenue say ICE operations have dealt a blow to their revenue – with one business reporting a 50% loss in sales in the last eight months” by reporter Kevin G. Andrade.
Unfortunately, this is a situation which the TDI Love The Ave Partnership here in New Bedford is all too familiar with. Still, it was startling to read in such detail. Some The Ave’s most beloved spots are suffering dire economic consequences.
Our Acushnet Avenue — “The Ave” — is more than just a commercial corridor. It is a vibrant community lifeline — a place where immigrant entrepreneurs build dreams, families meet, friendships grow, and culture thrives. Today, that lifeline is under threat. And now is precisely the moment we choose to Love The Ave.
The Challenge: Fear on the Streets, Empty Storefronts
The investigation by The New Bedford Light documented a troubling decline among immigrant-owned businesses along Acushnet Avenue.
- Lucy’s Party Store — a landmark in the neighborhood offering everything from piñatas to quinceañera dresses — has seen longtime orders dwindle as families stay home out of fear.
- Taqueria La Raza reports a 50% drop in business since ICE began operations in the city earlier this year.
- 787 BarberShop says business is down roughly 40% as foot traffic has nearly disappeared when enforcement activity is visible.
- America’s Market describes a 12% decline in sales, forcing cost cuts and reduced staff hours.
Families are staying home, customers are avoiding public spaces, and residents are worried about potential immigration enforcement. The result: the vital organic network of street-level activity that makes The Ave hum has been eroded — shop by shop, block by block. (Read the full article here.)
Why This Matters for Everyone in New Bedford
- Acushnet Avenue is a neighborhood anchor — when these small businesses suffer, the whole city loses vitality, safety, and services.
- The customers of these businesses can also shop elsewhere or online, and the health of this commercial corridor contributes to the overall local economy.
- The erosion of trust, community, and public presence is a blow to civic life. When streets go quiet, it weakens connection and mutual accountability.
- The apprehension that drives people inside undermines the very social fabric that sustains communal identity and shared prosperity.
What It Means to Love The Ave
If you believe that The Ave is worth fighting for, here are some actionable ways to show up:
- Shop deliberately and often. Choose to make your everyday purchases (groceries, barbers, party supplies, takeout) on The Ave. Every dollar spent is a vote for vitality.
- Host a “Love The Ave” outing
Invite neighbors, friends, or family out for dinner or dessert at local establishments along Acushnet Avenue. Let them see the corridor alive.
- Tell your story
Share your experiences on The Ave on social media and with friends and family..
- Participate in public planning
Attend city hearings, planning sessions, or community meetings. Advocate for public investments, safety, lighting, streetscape improvements, and support for small businesses. The city already cites the importance of the corridor and has committed to improvements, including public art and re-use of vacant parcels.
Let’s Make It a Turning Point
Crises define us not by what happens to us, but by how we respond. Now is our moment to choose presence over absence, courage over caution, community over isolation.
So let’s show up. Let’s shop. Let’s walk the Ave. Let’s gather. Let’s grow. Let’s make sure that when people think of The Ave, they see color, life, hum, music, commerce, connection — not shadows or fear.
Because when The Ave thrives, all of New Bedford thrives.
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Love The Ave wants you!
Event coordinator and community leader needed
Big news this month – the Love The Ave partnership is hiring! Yes – this is an excellent part-time opportunity for a motivated community leader and creative thinker to help the team plan, manage and promote events that have an impact on the North End, New Bedford community along Acushnet Avenue and the surrounding neighborhoods. Here’s the 411:
Job Title: Event Planner & Community Leader (Part-Time)
Organization: Love The Ave Partnership
Location: North End, New Bedford, MA
Hours: Part-Time (approx. 15–20 hours per week; evenings and weekends as needed)
Compensation: Commensurate with experience
About Love The Ave
The Love The Ave partnership brings together businesses, residents, nonprofits, and city partners to celebrate and strengthen Acushnet Avenue and the North End of New Bedford. Through community events, placemaking, and collaborative leadership, Love The Ave promotes cultural pride, economic vitality, and a shared vision for the future of this historic neighborhood.
Position Summary
The Love The Ave partnership seeks a dynamic and organized Event Planner & Community Leader to coordinate neighborhood events, foster strong community connections, and help advance initiatives that celebrate and revitalize Acushnet Avenue. The ideal candidate is a creative, detail-oriented planner with strong people skills and a passion for community building.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, organize, and manage neighborhood events (block parties, cultural celebrations, workshops, etc.) from concept through completion.
- Work closely with local businesses, residents, and partner organizations to ensure events are inclusive, accessible, and impactful.
- Coordinate logistics, including permits, vendors, performers, outreach, and volunteer management.
- Serve as a visible and approachable community leader, building relationships and listening to neighborhood priorities.
- Support communication efforts, including social media, newsletters, and on-the-ground outreach.
- Track budgets, timelines, and metrics to measure the success of events and initiatives.
- Report regularly to the Love The Ave partnership team and contribute ideas for future programming.
Qualifications
- Experience in event planning, community organizing, or related fields.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; bilingual ability (English/Portuguese/Spanish/Cape Verdean Creole) is a plus.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with flexibility for evenings and weekends.
- Knowledge of New Bedford’s North End community and culture preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and community development.
Benefits
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in one of New Bedford’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
- Flexible, creative work environment with strong community support.
- Networking with local leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and city partners.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining their relevant experience and passion for community leadership to: MassDevelopment Fellow for the Love The Ave / New Bedford TDI District at amendes@massdevelopment.com.
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Cape Verdean Association Names First Executive Director
The Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford (CVANB) has appointed Amilcar Lopes, pictured at left, as its inaugural Executive Director. Lopes will lead the organization’s expanding efforts to preserve and promote Cape Verdean culture through programs, education, and landmark projects like the Cape Verdean Cultural Center and Island Park.
Born in São Nicolau, Cape Verde, and raised in Rhode Island, Lopes brings deep roots in the community and a strong record of cultural advocacy, organizational leadership, and public service. His family’s ties to New Bedford date back to the late 1800s, and his professional work has long focused on empowering Cape Verdean youth, strengthening heritage, and building inclusive spaces.
“His vision and commitment to cultural programming and community partnership embody everything the Association stands for,” said CVANB Board President Darlene Spencer.
As Executive Director, Lopes will oversee cultural programming, guide the development of the Cultural Center and Island Park, and expand CVANB’s reach locally and across the Diaspora.
“I’m honored to join at such a dynamic time,” Lopes said. “Together, we will create vibrant cultural experiences, empower our youth, and build bridges across communities through programs that celebrate our shared heritage.”
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Did You Know… The North End is a Comic Collector’s Paradise?
Holy back issues, True Believers! Did you know that Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford’s North End boasts not one, not two, but THREE comic book stores—all within a couple of miles of each other? That’s right, collectors, cosplayers, and casual readers alike can assemble like the Avengers right on The Ave.
At Evy’s Treasures & Collectibles (1670 Acushnet Ave., pictured at right), you’ll find a treasure chest of comics, toys, and nostalgia that could rival even the Batcave.
Just a little further up the street, Twilight Comics (2184 Acushnet Ave., right next to Ray’s Pizza) keeps the longboxes stocked with heroic tales and villainous plots—perfect fuel for your next pizza-powered read-a-thon.
And if your Spidey-sense is still tingling, swing into Temptation’s Comics & Guitars (2331 Acushnet Ave., next to Toast & Jam). It’s a dynamic duo of passions—paneled adventures and six-string soundtracks.
Whether you’re chasing down rare keys, hunting for variant covers, or just looking to dive into a fresh new storyline, the North End has you covered faster than a speeding bullet.
So don’t just sit there flipping through digital panels—support your local shops and take a comic crawl down Acushnet Avenue. You might just find your next prized issue waiting for you!
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Harbor input sought
The City of New Bedford is in the process of developing a Municipal Harbor Plan (MHP) which will allow communities to establish objectives, standards, and policies to guide public and private use of land and water within the planning area. Since this will have some impact on the land use around Riverside Park and the entire planned RiverWalk in the North End, we thought it would be useful to followers to share the information AND links as to how everyone can provide input into the plan.
The New Bedford/Fairhaven MHP Update will identify opportunities to:
- Promote the Harbor’s continued economic growth
- Improve its environmental quality/resilience
- Strengthen its connections to the surrounding communities
You can share your thoughts on the plans via the following survey, offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Survey Link (English)
Survey Link (Spanish)
Survey Link (Portuguese)
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Ideas wanted
While we’re on the water, we’d like to share that our TDI Partners at E for All Southcoast will be holding a Pitch Contest for entrepreneurs this October focused on the ocean economy. They write, “the future of clean energy isn’t just about turbines – it’s about people. This pitch contest invites entrepreneurs, creatives, and problem-solvers of all backgrounds to propose innovative ideas that support the wind workforce and the communities around them.
“You don’t need to be an engineer to participate. We’re looking for products, services, and solutions that address real needs such as housing, childcare, food, transportation, safety, wellness, and community connection.”
The Pitch Contest will take place on October 21st at the National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI), 198 Herman Melville Blvd., New Bedford. If you’re interested, you can apply here.