Who Remembers…Barbero’s Pizza?

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases, the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!

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Memories of 85 Huttleston Avenue
Having grown up a gypsy, I’ve lived in New Bedford (no less than 7 different locations), Fairhaven (4 different addresses), Rochester, and Acushnet. That only covers Massachusetts and not the other states and countries I’ve lived in. The benefit of living in multiple locations is I can wax nostalgic over a variety of places. When I first moved to Fairhaven, I was perhaps 14 years old if memory serves me correctly. What is top of the food pyramid for a 14-year-old? Yeah, you guessed it: pizza.

Bob and Ray Barbero at Margaret’s Variety Store (Nina Barbero)

So it was only natural to seek out who had the best pizza around. Having moved to Fairhaven from New Bedford, that meant going over the bridge and down Route 6. Destiny dictated that as I was staring out the window I saw a sign – I swear there was a golden aura shimmering around the sign – stating Barbero’s Italian Restaurant at 85 Huttleston Avenue.

I kid you not when I say that I am now salivating. I feel like I should race into the kitchen, dig through all the drawers and see if I have enough coupons for a FREE pizza. I bet you somewhere in my attic of packed away things, there’s a Barbero’s coupon. Remember those green cut-outs on each pizza box? 10 coupons gets you a golden ticket.

This was THE spot for Italian food in Fairhaven for the longest time, especially pizza. I vaguely remember the variety of toppings, but remembering there being a lot to choose from. Barbero’s always loaded their pies with generous amounts of toppings. I didn’t like thin pizza anywhere else and don’t like it today. I have NOT ordered and eaten a plain cheese pizza since.

This was my brother Mike’s favorite place to eat whenever he would get a break from military duty. He would fly in from wherever he was living in the world at that time, and within a few hours, the words “Let’s go to Barbero’s!” would be on his lips.

The original restaurant after its conversion in 1951 (Nina Barbero)

I have a vague recollection of the mini-golf course next door and reader Janet Gouveia Rusinsoki who worked there for 3 decades, stated that Barbero’s also owned the golf course, which was placed there in the 1960s. Batting cages were also added in the early 1990s, but were eventually razed to make way for a parking lot.

Barbero’s was such a landmark, that if you needed to give anyone directions, you could say “Go past Barbero’s and take that left.” or “Turn right at the lights after Barbero’s.” Barbero’s was brilliantly located near my house – which led to teenage entrapment while walking home.

Sadly, the Fairhaven Barbero’s closed their doors on March 15, 1998.

Margaret’s Variety; Corner of County and Linden Streets
Our more knowledgeable readers will know that the Fairhaven location wasn’t the only location. There were seven or eight “Barbero’s” depending on how one counts, from New Bedford, Fairhaven and Dartmouth, to Dennisport, Falmouth, Marion – even a sub shop on Union Street (the early 1970s), and a concession stand at Lincoln Park for 8 years at one point.

Barbero’s had humble beginnings with three variety stores throughout New Bedford. The third variety store, “Margaret’s Variety” was named after Joseph Barbero Sr.’s wife Margaret. This variety store opened in 1951 and was on the corner of County and 58 Linden Street, which is Linden House of Pizza & More now.

The Barbero Family – Ray, Joe, Margaret, Joey, & Bob (Nina Barbero)

When I lived on 868 County Street next door to Kinyon Campbell, I went to this spot often, and as long as I can recall it was always a sub and pizza shop, changing names over the years. Margaret’s Variety sold fresh baked bread from Tom Marcucci’s Bakery of Fall River. It was Tom that suggested they sell pizza – which they did for 5 whopping cents a slice. The pizza was so popular and demand so great that Tom suggested they begin to make it themselves. The rest is history!

Margaret’s Variety was converted into a small restaurant and began to sell that famous mouth-watering pizza, soft-serve ice cream, and soda from a fountain. Eventually, Joe and Margaret’s sons Joe, Ray, and Bob ran the business until the early 1960s. This establishment in turn also became so popular that they expanded and opened a second Barbero’s in 1958, which was the one in Fairhaven that I began the article with. The third Barbero’s was opened, coincidentally at the old A&W’s in Dartmouth at 868 State Road.

I need a Barbero’s pizza in my life…STAT!

If you want to peruse a ton of great old photos of Barbero’s there is a “Remembering Barbero’s” Facebook! I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Nina Barbero for most of the information and all the photos in this article. Without her generosity, this article would have been another boring write-up with a photo of a Barbero’s coupon.

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13 Things To Do This Weekend (Dec 20-Dec 22)

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You can rub your eyes all you want and it won’t matter. No need to make an eye doctor appointment. They are working just fine. You are indeed looking at 50 degree temperatures for this weekend. This shouldn’t shock anyone in New England – the region where it can be sunny, rain, hail, sleet and snow all on the same day. The lowest temperature we’ll hit all week is 43 degrees. That’s shorts and t-shirt weather!

As always, click on the title for more or detailed information on the event. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar  where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Check out our tutorial. For more info, you can click on each title. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!


Friday, December 20th

Craft-O-Rama @ Ugly Gallery (11:00 am-6:00 pm) Day 1
Support your local small businesses and artists! CRAFT-O-RAMA has partnered with UGLYgallery to bring you a month long holiday pop-up shop, featuring artists from MA and RI! Shop the best in locally-handmade gifts this season and support dNB! Shop CRAFT-O-RAMA during regular Ugly Gallery hours: Tues-Sun 11-6 November 30 thru December 24. Details in the event title.

Let’s Move! Beyond the Bell After School Program (1:30 pm-4:00 pm)
Let’s Move! Beyond the Bell After School Program for New Bedford elementary age students on early release Fridays. Students will participate in fun, educational programming taught by our staff. Activities will include sports and games, arts and crafts, and outdoor nature studies. Program will only be run on days in which the students are in school (no holiday classes).

Christmas Classic!

Christmas Festival of Lights (Carver) (4:00 pm-9:00 pm)
Runs from today through January 1st. Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is arguably the most-loved festival of its kind, having earned generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of our indoor play areas. Stay for a delicious full meal or enjoy seasonal treats.

Festival Ballet Providence: The Nutcracker (Various times)
Experience the timeless magic of the holiday season’s most treasured tradition. Festival Ballet Providence’s production of The Nutcracker is a spectacle of artistry and theater, a holiday classic! Plays all weekend. Friday – 8 p.m., Saturday – 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and Sunday at 1:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling (401) 353-1129.


Saturday, December 21st

Craft-O-Rama @ Ugly Gallery (11:00 am-6:00 pm) Day 2
Support your local small businesses and artists! CRAFT-O-RAMA has partnered with UGLYgallery to bring you a month long holiday pop-up shop, featuring artists from MA and RI! Shop the best in locally-handmade gifts this season and support dNB! Shop CRAFT-O-RAMA during regular Ugly Gallery hours: Tues-Sun 11-6 November 30 thru December 24. Details in the event title.

2nd Annual Holiday Zoobilee (11:00 am-4:00 pm)
Go wild with holiday spirit! Enjoy train and carousel rides (rides are included in the admission price and are weather permitting), caroling with the animals, hot chocolate, and a special holiday cookie. Stop by our Elf Workout Shop! Participate in our second annual “Bear on the Branch” scavenger hunt. For more information, please visit www.bpzoo.org.

III Suns: Holiday Celebration: Storewide Sale, Meet Buddy the Elf, Readers, & Refreshments!(11:30-4:00 pm)
III Suns carries a wide variety of metaphysical and holistic products, creative gifts, and one-of-a-kind specialty pieces of art. Whether it be a new awakening to your spiritual path, or a continuation of your spiritual path, or a continuation in your growth, they offer something for every level of your spiritual development! For more info visit her website: www.iiisuns.com or Facebook.

Travessia FREE Wine tasting Tour (1-5 pm)
Last chance to sign up for the FREE wine tasting tour at Travessia Winery tomorrow! Sessions begin every half-hour starting at 1PM with the final tour starting at 4:30PM. There is room for 15 people per session. The tour will be led by award winning wine maker and owner of Travessia, Marco Montez. To reserve your spot call 774-929-6534 or e-mail info@travessiawine.com. Full details: http://www.newbedfordguide.com/travessia-winery-tours/2013/11/25.

2nd Annual Zoobilee at Buttonwood!

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra presents Family Holiday Pops Concert (3:30-7:00 pm)
A one-of-a-kind Holiday Season tradition on the South Coast. Featuring guest vocalist Amanda Carr and the popular holiday sing-along, this warm and festive concert will make your season bright!

Stargazing with Buzzards Bay Coalition (Mattapoisett) (6:00 pm-7:00 pm)
Stargazing with Bristol Community College Professor Stephan Martin. FREE. Registration required email bayadventures@savebuzzardsbay.org or call (508) 999-6262, ext. 219. Phone: (508) 999-6262, ext. 219. The Bogs at Mattapoisett River Reserve, 137 Acushnet Road.

4th Annual Blue Christmas Service (6:00 pm)
What is a “Blue Christmas” service? “It’s a brief service to help anyone who has had a loss or death in their lives. The service remind us all that God knows and understands the grief and loss that can surface during the Holidays and will be there to provide hope in times of despair.” – Reverend Russ Chamberlain. Pilgrim UCC at 635 Purchase Street, New Bedford. For more information call Rev. Russ @ 508.728.1489 or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mercymealsandmore

THE Acts 29 Project Christmas service and celebration (6:00 pm-9:00 pm)
A night of praise, worship, caroling, prayer and cookies! We’ll begin with a Christmas service, then take to the streets with candles in hand to sing on the corners of downtown New Bedford. To wrap up the night, we’ll head back to The Centre to enjoy each other’s fellowship, sing some more and share our favorite cookie recipes over hot cup of hot chocolate or coffee. Let’s come together this Christmas to glorify our Savior and sing His praises in unity as His Church!! The Centre 230 Union St.

Craft-O-Rama @ Ugly Gallery (11:00 am-6:00 pm) Day 2
Support your local small businesses and artists! CRAFT-O-RAMA has partnered with UGLYgallery to bring you a month long holiday pop-up shop, featuring artists from MA and RI! Shop the best in locally-handmade gifts this season and support dNB! Shop CRAFT-O-RAMA during regular Ugly Gallery hours: Tues-Sun 11-6 November 30 thru December 24. Details in the event title.


Sunday, December 22nd

Craft-O-Rama @ Ugly Gallery (11:00 am-6:00 pm) Day 3
Support your local small businesses and artists! CRAFT-O-RAMA has partnered with UGLYgallery to bring you a month long holiday pop-up shop, featuring artists from MA and RI! Shop the best in locally-handmade gifts this season and support dNB! Shop CRAFT-O-RAMA during regular Ugly Gallery hours: Tues-Sun 11-6 November 30 thru December 24. Details in the event title.

Breakfast & Trap Shooting (Mattapoisett) (12:00 pm-3:00 pm)
Weather permitting. Breakfast available for members and their guests from 7-11 a.m. Cost: $4 per round ($3 per round for members). Fin, Fur & Feather Club, 35 Crystal Spring Road, Matt.

Sunday Afternoon Jazz Live (4:00 pm-7:00 pm) Day 1
A fan of Jazz? Head to the Whaler Lounge today! Cost: $10 cover. Days Inn, 500 Hathaway Road,

Want to sponsor this weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. 





Who Remembers…Wing’s, Kresge’s, Grant’s & Thomas’ Department Stores?

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings may still exist, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!


Before Big-Box stores and hypermarkets Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target there were smaller department stores. Believe it or not, the concept of a department store – being able to go to one location and find a wide variety of goods – started in the early 1700s. There were no shopping carts and one was not free to roam the store. When you arrived you let a representative know what you needed and he would go into the facility and pick your order.

The concept of being able to browse the aisles yourself and do it with a shopping cart was started in Dartmouth with Martin Chase’s Ann & Hope in 1953. Sam Walton who founded Wal-Mart and Harry Cunningham who founded KMart got their ideas from visiting the flagship Ann & Hope facility.

Since we already covered local favorite Arlan’s Department Store, we’ll discuss the four other iconic department stores. Special thanks to Spinner Publications for their generosity in allowing us to share all the photos within the article.



C.F. Wing’s Department Store
Wing’s department store is named after whaler and “merchant prince” of New Bedford, Charles F. Wing, born here in 1851. In 1874 he opened a little shop in a wooden building at 774 Purchase Street next door to The Pour Farm. He did well enough to have that building razed and replaced in 1887 with the current building today. It was a popular destination until it closed in 1985. Yes, Wing’s Court is named after the same fellow.




Kresge Co. 5 and 10
Kresge’s “five and dime” was started by department store mogul Sebastian S. Kresge. The Pennsylvania native opened his first store in Memphis, Tennessee in 1897. The New Bedford store sat on the corner of William and Purchase Streets, where Rite-Aid is today. By 1924 his business was worth $100 million dollars and he had opened over a hundred stores. In 1962 he opened his first new department store that you may have heard of – KMart. Hence, the “K” in KMart!




W.T. Grant
The Grant family opened their first store in Lynn, MA in 1906. W.T. Grant opened the fifth in the chain at the Hastings Building in 1910. He also opened up a location on Acushnet Avenue in 1932 that was open until 1966. The W.T. Grant that was at 860 Purchase Street closed in January 1975.




Thomas’ Department Store
Thomas’ Department Store was located at the Thomas Building on the corner of Rivet and Bolton streets where Fernando’s Restaurant was until recently. The Thomas family immigrated to the city from Lebanon in the 1890s and the department store was owned Joseph Thomas. For those who think the named sounds familiar, that’s because Joseph Thomas’ grandson is Joseph Thomas, founder of Spinner Publications.






Who Remembers…York Steakhouse?

Decisions, Decisions!

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!


Just mentioning the words York Steakhouse evokes not only memories, but I swear I can smell a mouth-watering sirloin being grilled. Like Sunbeam Bread, driving by the building and through the aroma stopped all conversation in its tracks. The chain’s North Dartmouth location was a special treat growing up. I always felt like I must have done something good to deserve a dinner there. There also wasn’t a lot of arm twisting when it came to convincing my mom to take the family there!

If you lived under a rock, you have never heard of the national chain owned by cereal makers General Mills and served steak and potatoes like nobody’s business. Started some time in the 1970s, York Steakhouse was incredibly popular until the majority were shut down by 1989 when General Mills sold, leaving only a handful of independently run and owned restaurants. They were positioned strategically within a strip mall or within eye-sight of a shopping mall – as was the case with the North Dartmouth location.

When you arrived the symbols, plaques on the walls with images of what was available, iron chandeliers, and the battlements made you feel like a king, queen, prince or princess. You would queue, stare at all the plaques – making it even more difficult to make a choice; “I’ll have the Sirloin Strip with…no, I’ll have the Sirloin Tips…um…I mean, I’ll have the Ribe-Eye…oh crud.”

After making the difficult choice, you got a tray and headed into the “cafeteria serving section” where you could pick things a-la-carte, like salad, utensils, dessert (flaming cherries Jubilee anyone?), butter, sour cream, soup and drinks. Then one would tell your order to the cashier, he/she would ring you up and give you a little plastic sign and you would head into the dining room – with salivary glands exploding. Do you remember the coding system of the signs? Look at the end of the article to see if you are right!

I’m unsure whether the case is either that I never ate a bad meal their or it was the entire experience that made everything taste better than it was. As of 2011, only one city in America has a York Steakhouse, so if you want to relive the experience, you’ll have to head to Columbus, Ohio near the Westland Mall.


Meal Options:

  1. – 8 oz. Sirloin Strip Steak, Baked Potato, Roll, Salad
  2. – Sirloin Tips on Skewer, Baked Potato, Roll, Salad
  3. – 8 oz. Chopped Sirloin, Baked Potato, Roll, Salad
  4. – 4 oz. Chopped Sirloin Sandwich, Steak Fries
  5. (Lunch Item Only) – 6 oz. Chopped Sirloin, Steak Fries, Roll, Salad
  6. (Lunch Item Only) – 4 oz. Rib-Eye Steak, Baked Potato, Roll, Salad
  7. – Chef’s Salad

Serving Sign Codes:

Red=Rare
White=Medium
Brown=Well
2 Red tags stacked=Very Rare
White and Red stacked=Med Rare
White and Brown Stacked=Med Well
2 Brown tags stacked=Very Well


Did you work at York Steakhouse? Do you recall the “kitchen french” that was used to call out the orders? Here are a few I uncovered during my research.

  • Tre Tre Cinya=Very Rare (Cinya is pronounced Sin-yaw)
  • Tre Cinya=Rare
  • Lay Tre Cinya=Medium Rare
  • Cinya=Medium
  • Lay Beonque=Medium Well (Beonque is pronounced Bee-on-kwee)
  • Beouque=Well
  • Tre Beonque=Very Well

I also found these interesting anecdotal codes:

“Check the ice” meant there was an attractive female, “CTI deux fois” meant two attractive girls back-to-back, and “Check the iced tea” was for attractive men.


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Photo Guide
1. Ad showing items and prices from decades ago. Visit by Snoopy too!
2. “Everything a store should be!”
3. “Capitol Theatre” today
4. The castle like appearance that drew kids.
5. Vintage photo of a child world.
6. Creative toy display from the 1960s.
7. Holly Hobby!
8. Peter Panda on skates!





14 Things To Do This Weekend (Dec 13-Dec 15)

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Despite the fact that winter is not officially here, winter like temperatures and conditions are here. We will only be above freezing Sunday afternoon – a high of 39 degrees. Overnight temperatures will range from 16-25 degrees. Turn the heat up, throw a log on the fire, put on some thermals or snuggle close to loved ones for heat!! BRRRR! Evening snow showers on Saturday and a mix of snow and rain on Sunday.

As always, click on the title for more or detailed information on the event. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar  where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Check out our tutorial. For more info, you can click on each title. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!


Friday, December 13th

Let’s Move! Beyond the Bell After School Program (1:30 pm-4:00 pm)
Let’s Move! Beyond the Bell After School Program for New Bedford elementary age students on early release Fridays. Students will participate in fun, educational programming taught by our staff. Activities will include sports and games, arts and crafts, and outdoor nature studies. Program will only be run on days in which the students are in school (no holiday classes).

Christmas Festival of Lights!

Christmas Festival of Lights (Carver) (4:00 pm-9:00 pm)
Runs from today through January 1st. Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is arguably the most-loved festival of its kind, having earned generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of our indoor play areas. Stay for a delicious full meal or enjoy seasonal treats.

Teen Dance (7:00 pm-9:00 pm)
Andrea McCoy Recreation Center December 13th, 7pm-9pm; MUST be a member. Click on event title for more information.


Saturday, December 14th

Wood School Pancake Breakfast w/ Santa (Fairhaven) (9:00 am-12:00 pm)
Sponsored by the Wood School PTO, there will also be a Scholastic book fair, crafts, photos with Santa, a prize raffle and more. Donation of canned goods welcome, admission $5.

Museum & Toy Train Exhibition (Mattapoisett) (9:00 am-12:00 pm)
Join us to see the new Toy Train exhibit and enjoy nostalgic Christmas decorations. Shop for unique gifts featuring Mattapoisett. Light Refreshments will be served. Free, Donations accepted. Mattapoisett Historical Society, 5 Church Street.

The Brick Church Fair (Fairhaven) (10:00 am-3:00 pm)
During the Old Time Holiday Fair Weekend, the church will be alive with activity, featuring crafts, baked goods, home cooking, Vermont cheddar cheese, chance auction, silent auction, coffee shop and craft vendors. Heavenly Treasures, their second-hand shop, will be open all day. A lobster roll luncheon will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or until sold out. Hot dogs and chowder also will be available. For more information, call (508) 993-3368 or email firstcongfairhaven@gmail.com. They are fully accessible.

2nd Annual Zoobilee at Buttonwood!

Holiday Marketplace (Fairhaven) (10:00 am-4:00 pm)
Crafts, holiday music, fresh greens, baked goods, raffles and more. Lunch available from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. church tours 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Call (508) 992-7081 or email officeuufhvn@aol.com.

2nd Annual Holiday Zoobilee (11:00 am-4:00 pm)
Go wild with holiday spirit! Enjoy train and carousel rides (rides are included in the admission price and are weather permitting), caroling with the animals, hot chocolate, and a special holiday cookie. Stop by our Elf Workout Shop! Participate in our second annual “Bear on the Branch” scavenger hunt. For more information, please visit www.bpzoo.org.

Craft-O-Rama @ Ugly Gallery (11:00 am-6:00 pm) Day 1
Support your local small businesses and artists! CRAFT-O-RAMA has partnered with UGLYgallery to bring you a month long holiday pop-up shop, featuring artists from MA and RI! Shop the best in locally-handmade gifts this season and support dNB! Shop CRAFT-O-RAMA during regular Ugly Gallery hours: Tues-Sun 11-6 November 30 thru December 24. Details in the event title.

Winter Wonderland and Movie Night! (4:00 pm-6:00 pm)
Join us to celebrate the Winter Season and the upcoming holidays. Bring your family to participate in winter activities and a Holiday Tree Lighting. The Holiday Tree is a Giving Tree. Your family can donate a winter hat, a pair of gloves, or socks to a child in need. All donations will be hung on the Tree and donated to a local non-profit to be distributed to kids. We will have fun winter-time activities for all ages, so come join us in celebrating the coming of Winter! Everyone is Welcome!

N.B. Preservation Society’s Annual Holiday House Tour Day 1 (4:00 pm-8:00 pm)
For 22 years the society has showcased the city’s magnificent and varied architecture on this popular annual event, the society’s signature fundraiser. This year’s tour will feature the historic Acushnet Heights neighborhood, winding its way through the city, ending in the city’s West End. The self-guided tour takes approximately two hours to complete.


Sunday, December 15th

N.B. Preservation Society’s Annual Holiday House Tour Day 2 (1:00 pm-5:00 pm)
For 22 years the society has showcased the city’s magnificent and varied architecture on this popular annual event, the society’s signature fundraiser. This year’s tour will feature the historic Acushnet Heights neighborhood, winding its way through the city, ending in the city’s West End. The self-guided tour takes approximately two hours to complete.

Find the perfect gift or stocking stuffer!

Craft-O-Rama @ Ugly Gallery (11:00 am-6:00 pm) Day 1
Support your local small businesses and artists! CRAFT-O-RAMA has partnered with UGLYgallery to bring you a month long holiday pop-up shop, featuring artists from MA and RI! Shop the best in locally-handmade gifts this season and support dNB! Shop CRAFT-O-RAMA during regular Ugly Gallery hours: Tues-Sun 11-6 November 30 thru December 24. Details in the event title.

Pet Photos with Santa (Fairhaven, MA) (1:00 pm-3:00 pm)
Join Pretty Paws Bakery & Happy Tails Photography from 1-3 for photos of your best friend with Santa. Price for photo is $12.00 and half of that will be donated to Massachusetts Humane Society. There will be lots of goodies at the bakery to fill your pup/kitties stocking as well. You can call the bakery at 774-992-9410 to make an appointment or just come by. We look forward to meeting you and your best friend.

Want to sponsor this weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. 





Who Remembers…Child World?

Child World advert from 1981

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!


Ginger or Mary Ann? Megadeth or Metallica? Bettie or Veronica? Toys “R” Us’ or their biggest competitor Child World? Growing up these were very important questions! Wise people would answer “BOTH!”

Child World came on the scene after Toys “R” Us had a few decades under its belt. Founded in Avon in 1970, they skyrocketed to popularity and became their chief competitor in a staggeringly short period of time. At its height the chain had revenue of $800 million dollars and consisted of 182 stores. Part of their success was that they directly competed with Toy “R” Us by placing their locations very close. The local store sat where the Christmas Tree Shop is today in the Ann & Hope Plaza.

Also strengthening their ability to compete was the acquisition of Children’s Palace in 1977 and using their gimmick of placing castle towers and battlements on opposing ends of their stores. No kid could resist and would pester mom and dad to choose Child World!

Another draw for children were the mascots that they utilized in their commercials. Originally there was Happy Rabbit, but he was replaced in 1977 with overall wearing Peter Panda.

The combination of Toy “R” Us’ gaining popularity and declining sales began to hurt the chain in the late 1980s, and weakened them to the point that the recession that began in early 1990 found them financially vulnerable. Internal turmoil, restructuring and turnover further weakened them and led to their downfall. Stores began to close at a rapid rate, and by the end of 1991 – a year later – half their stores were closed. In 1992 they filed for bankruptcy.

They continued to flounder and head towards going out of business, when another toy store chain Lionel Kiddie City entered the picture. Child World suggested a merger, and Lionel Kiddie City agree if they could finalize all paperwork by the deadline in July of 1992.

They rushed to liquidate their inventory to improve cash flow and capital by having a chain wide clearance sale. However, it didn’t raise monies fast enough. Child World announced a change of plans: the clearance sale would now be a “Going-Out-Business” sale. By September all stores had been liquidated and closed their doors permanently.

Do you have any memories of Child World? Perhaps other stores in the area? Please share!


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Photo Guide
1. Ad showing items and prices from decades ago. Visit by Snoopy too!
2. “Everything a store should be!”
3. “Capitol Theatre” today
4. The castle like appearance that drew kids.
5. Vintage photo of a child world.
6. Creative toy display from the 1960s.
7. Holly Hobby!
8. Peter Panda on skates!

 





Who Remembers…Cherry & Webb?

Founded in 1898 and originally located on William Street (Spinner Publications)

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!


Cherry & Webb
While the Cherry & Webb building today is a Bristol Community College campus and Cafe Arpeggio, it was once the largest fashion store in New Bedford. No kidding, right? Well, I remember telling my daughter when she was 8-9 years old about pay phones and she thought I was pulling her leg. Why would anyone use a pay phone when everyone has a cell phone. Silly daddy!

So what is an obvious thing to some of us, is new to many!

The Cherry & Webb store actually began “next door” on William Street in 1898. It was relatively small at 3,500 sq. feet and was limited to one story. Proprietors George R. Cherry and F. Webb offered a variety of apparel at inexpensive prices. The were so successful that they had to continually expand moving up and out.

When they could no longer physically expand they decided to have a building erected that was much larger and could handle their needs. The took over the Union Street Railway’s waiting station that sat on the corner of Purchase & William streets in October of 1931. 70,000 sq.feet and five floors of all sorts of clothing for people of all shapes and sizes.

Some time in the 1980s the store uprooted and relocated to the Dartmouth Mall. They filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March of 2000.

Coincidentally, Cherry & Webb started WPRI-TV Channel 12 Providence in March 1955.

Special thanks to Spinner Publications for their perpetual generosity with their photos. Without them, these articles would be vastly inferior and lacking.


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Photo Guide
1. Undated photo of the current building.
2. Nativity scene during Christmas in 1952.
3. Hustle and bustle on Purchase Street in 1967.
4. Current building with showcase window displays.
5. Union Street Railway waiting station that stood on the corner of Purchase & William Streets.
6. The William Street Cherry & Webb that preceded the current Cherry & Webb building.





New Bedford’s Forgotten Theaters: The Capitol Theatre

Capitol Theatre in 1973 (Spinner Publications)

Here is the second installment of the “New Bedford’s Forgotten Theaters” series. In the inaugural article we covered the series introduction and Allen’s Theater on Acushnet Avenue the street that was simply jam packed with theaters. What made the Avenue financially strong was its showcase-style layout. One didn’t need to go down the side streets to any depth since all the businesses were along the length of the “strip.”

If this wasn’t the case and the theaters that were spread out along the length of Acushnet Avenue were placed in a smaller area, it would have been dubbed a Theater District. There are records of no less than 25 theaters throughout the city’s rich theatrical history going back 1824 with Cole’s Tavern.


Capitol Theatre
Built/Opened: Nov. 29, 1920
Location: 1418 Acushnet Avenue
Seating Capacity: 1,000-1,200
Demolished:

The Capitol Theatre opened in the “heyday” of cinema in 1920. At this period in theater history Vaudeville – the style that launched greats like George Burns, Buster Keaton, The Marx Brothers, Judy Garland, Jack Benny, etc. – was incredibly popular, but beginning to wane. With the advent of radio and television, the industry’s best started to jump ship. As the Great Depression approached and people tightened their purses and wallets, they went out on the town less.

After World War II, plays put theater into a revival that lasted a few decades. Playwrights like Tennessee Williams (The Glass Menagerie), Eugene O’Neill (Long Day’s Night), Edward Albee (Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?) and Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman) changed the landscape of of theatrical entertainment and the Capitol Theatre thrived.

The standard at the Capitol Theatre through the 1950s and 1960s would be to showcase two back-to-back movies (often Spaghetti Westerns) and five Looney Tunes cartoons making it extremely popular with the neighborhood youth. Admission was a whopping 12 cents on Saturday and a whole quarter on Sundays. Today it is $8.50 for a ticket to the movies. To further lend perspective, popcorn was 10 cents – today it averages $5! Yeah, yeah…”When I was your age I walked 5 miles in the snow to get to Kindergarten class, whippersnapper!”

At some point there was a fire at the Capitol Theatre. I had some trouble confirming the date and the extent of the damage – in spite of the fact that images of the fire exist. Perhaps a more knowledgeable reader could fill in this void!

What are your memories of Capitol Theatre? What shows did you see there?


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Photo Guide
1. Capitol Theatre in the 1950s (Spinner Publications)
2. Unknown date of fire at Capitol Theater (Spinner Publications)
3. “Capitol Theatre” today





Who Remembers…Dialing For Dollars?

Dialing For Dollars began as a radio show in 1939 and grew into a popular franchised television show in the late 1940s.

Here is another installment in our Who Remembers? series. You can browse previous articles by using the search bar on the right. These articles are strolls down memory lane. In some cases the buildings, but new businesses have replaced them. In other instances, the buildings or even the properties have been razed. Instead of a building, it may be a TV show, personality, or commercial that no one longer exists. Either way, it can’t stop us from taking the Memory Lane stroll!

As always we would rather this be a discussion. No one knows this area better than those who grew up here! Please, leave constructive criticism, feedback, and corrections. We’d love to hear your anecdotes. Please share!



New Bedford’s franchise on WLNE-TV 56

Just mentioning the words “Dialing For Dollars” conjures George Allen’s voice and the cheesy set that he worked. Why was I fascinated by Dialing For Dollars considering that I was a child, far too young to participate? Because after he dialed that number, there was a hush…a holding of one’s breath – would my phone ring? Could George Allen accidentally called our house? Mom entered her phone number without telling us, maybe?

We’re going to win the $100 – which would buy a car, some candy, a house, a lifetime supply of Cookie Crisp, and one each of every comic book down at Magazine World.

Even if someone else called at that one moment, it would have been – to quote Hulk Hogan – “Hulkamanias running wild, brother!”

That darn phone never rang. One of the most traumatic experiences of my childhood.

For those of you who need a jogging of the memory, the program was on WLNE-TV. If I remember correctly, it was Channel 56 – at a time when there were about 12 channels. The show had its inception on WCBM in Baltimore, Maryland in 1939 as a radio program, but moved to television in the late 1940s where it was franchised.

At the beginning of the television show, Allen would mention a password. He would then randomly draw a phone number from a bowl.


George Allen hosted ‘Dialing For Dollars’ on WLNE-TV 56

These numbers were strips containing lots of eighteen phone numbers cut from a telephone book. Allen would then “count” from the bottom or the top, i.e. “eight from the top”, “six from the bottom.”

If you were called you were required to declare the “count and the amount (current prize amount)” as well as the password. If there was no answer, the prize amount was raised until someone finally won.

As more and more women were leaving the household and building careers in the workforce, it was becoming increasingly difficult to find people home to answer the phone. Daytime talk shows increased in popularity, ‘Dialing For Dollars” waned in popularity. These two factors led to the eventual death of the show.

George Allen passed away in November of 2010 at the age of 71.






13 Things To Do This Weekend (Dec 06-Dec 08)

new-bedford-weather

Friday and Saturday there will be a 70% chance of rain – possibly mixed with snow on Saturday morning. Friday will start out relatively warm with 55 degrees, but temperatures will slowly drop as the weekend goes on. While the nights may go below freezing, the days will not! Regardless, we are hardy New Englanders and nature will have to throw a lot more at us to prevent us from going out or even slow us down!

As always, click on the title for more or detailed information on the event. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar  where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Check out our tutorial. For more info, you can click on each title. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!


Friday, December 6th

Craft-O-Rama @ Ugly Gallery (11:00 am-6:00 pm)
Support your local small businesses and artists! CRAFT-O-RAMA has partnered with UGLYgallery to bring you a month long holiday pop-up shop, featuring artists from MA and RI! Shop the best in locally-handmade gifts this season and support dNB! Shop CRAFT-O-RAMA during regular Ugly Gallery hours: Tues-Sun 11-6 November 30 thru December 24. Details in the event title.

Christmas Festival of Lights (Carver) (4:00 pm-9:00 pm)
Runs from today through January 1st. Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights is arguably the most-loved festival of its kind, having earned generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights. Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of our indoor play areas. Stay for a delicious full meal or enjoy seasonal treats.

Padanaram Village XMas Festival (South Dartmouth, MA) (5:00 pm-8:00 pm)
Santa & his elves, kale soup, the Grinch, hot cider, candy canes, storytelling, holiday phone booth and too much more!

Look at how many activities are going on! (Click to Enlarge)

Parent’s Night Out (5:00 pm-9:00 pm)
Kids, want to have a fun night running around playing games, eating pizza and enjoying time with your friends!?!? Parents, want to get a night out for yourself at the beginning of the holiday season? We have just the thing for you! Sign up for Parent’s Night Out and let your kids have some fun playing sports and games and arts and crafts, while having dinner, and you are enjoying a stress free evening out! Ages: 6 to 12. Total Cost: $15. Andrea McCoy Rec Center.

4th Annual Holiday Song Contest (7:00 pm-10:00 pm)
WE love variety; for Winter Solstice: Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yalda, Eid-al-Adha, Bodhi Day, Makar Sankranti (or make up your own); whatever your seasonal holiday, spread the love in a song. Prizes for: Best original seasonal song, Best adapted seasonal song (changed lyrics), Best performance of a seasonal song (group), and Best performance of a seasonal song (solo). Poet, singer, dancer, comic; whatever you bring come join the fun and “let your little light shine” in this intercultural exchange. We’ll be offering tea & coffee and baked goodies.

Childsplay: Fiddles, Fiddlers, and Fiddlemakers in Concert (8:00 pm-11:00 pm)
Fiddle supergroup Childsplay, a who’s who of fiddlers, fiddles and fiddlemakers is touring the northeast in support of their newest CD As the Crow Flies, just out in October, as well as their new DVD Live from the Zeiterion Theatre. The show is sure to be a memorable one for all ages, as this all-star group of musicians will be showing off the many sounds and styles of the violin: blues, Appalachian, Celtic, waltz, step dance and so much more. More detail in the event title.


Saturday, December 7th

3rd Annual Santa Farm Follies (Acushnet) (10:00 am-4:00 pm)
How does a Hayride with the Grinch sound?! Or perhaps you’d rather see Santa? How about something FREE? Pony rides, face painting, visits with Charlie T. Chicken, and you can also pick up your XMas Tree at the Silverbrook Farm’s 3rd Annual Santa Farm Follies! Buy a Christmas Tree and you’ll get a FREE face painting and FREE hayride with the Grinch!

Craft-O-Rama @ Ugly Gallery (11:00 am-6:00 pm)
Support your local small businesses and artists! CRAFT-O-RAMA has partnered with UGLYgallery to bring you a month long holiday pop-up shop, featuring artists from MA and RI! Shop the best in locally-handmade gifts this season and support dNB! Shop CRAFT-O-RAMA during regular Ugly Gallery hours: Tues-Sun 11-6 November 30 thru December 24. Details in the event title.

Santa, the Grinch, Elves, Hayrides, Pony Rides, Christmas Trees!

6th Annual Downtown Holiday Stroll 2013 (12:00 pm-4:00 am) Day 1
The Holiday Stroll weekend will kick off with an audience of approximately 2,000 visitors on site by 10:30 am as Downtown will host the annual SANTA SIGHINGS 5 K FUN RUN, on Saturday, December 7th – beginning at 11:00 am. Streets will re-open by 12 noon. THE “Official -Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at Custom House Square by antique fire truck -on Saturday at 1:00 -then Santa will “stroll” with his admirers to MARE Studio, 27 Center Street, where he will greet his young admirers and pose for free, souvenir photos, compliments of Mare Studio, until 4 pm. Full list of events and activities canbe seen by clicking on the event title.

Holiday Cheer! Museum Fundraiser: Wine Tasting & Silent Auction (6:00 pm-9:00 pm)
The New Bedford Museum of Glass at 61 Wamsutta St. is a non-profit organization with a collection gathered from around the world and spanning the millennia! Their mission is to promote the appreciation of glass art and history through the development and display of a comprehensive permanent collection. Join them this holiday season as they celebrate stemware through the ages with a wine tasting and silent auction! All proceeds to benefit the New Bedford Museum of Glass.


Sunday, December 8th

Craft-O-Rama @ Ugly Gallery (11:00 am-6:00 pm)
Support your local small businesses and artists! CRAFT-O-RAMA has partnered with UGLYgallery to bring you a month long holiday pop-up shop, featuring artists from MA and RI! Shop the best in locally-handmade gifts this season and support dNB! Shop CRAFT-O-RAMA during regular Ugly Gallery hours: Tues-Sun 11-6 November 30 thru December 24. Details in the event title.

Two days of fun activities and events!

6th Annual Downtown Holiday Stroll 2013 (12:00 pm-4:00 am) Day 2
The Holiday Stroll weekend continues with tons of activities, events, specials and deals!

Pet Photos with Santa (Fairhaven, MA) (1:00 pm-3:00 pm)
Join Pretty Paws Bakery & Happy Tails Photography from 1-3 for photos of your best friend with Santa. Price for photo is $12.00 and half of that will be donated to Massachusetts Humane Society. There will be lots of goodies at the bakery to fill your pup/kitties stocking as well. You can call the bakery at 774-992-9410 to make an appointment or just come by. We look forward to meeting you and your best friend.

Want to sponsor this weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details.