The Landing Gift Shop & Chandlery – a unique, quintessential local shop that reflects the spirit of New Bedford

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Some of the things that people on the South Coast pride themselves on is shopping local, and shopping small. There’s also a lot of regional pride on top of the pride that comes from being from New Bedford – something even the cynics display. New Bedford is the hub of the universe for many, it has a reputation – good and bad – is an economic powerhouse in the region, has an incredibly rich history, an equally rich variety of ethnic communities, and gives off a vibe of being in the way “up.”

One of the establishments in New Bedford that reflects all these things from service to inventory, staff to buying and spending is The Landing Gift Shop & Chandlery at 98 Front Street. Owned by Laurie Botelho and run by Manager Carlos Chamarro, the “Landing” is a shop that couldn’t be more “New Bedford” and “South Coast.”

Manager Carlos Chamarro, local musician and all-around good guy Cedric Josey and owner Laurie Botehlo – all smiles.

Its spirit is one that possesses all those characteristics I mentioned above. Chamarro is Guatemalan, Botelho Portuguese-American. Between them they speak 4 languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish and French. The business is located in the national historic park. The building is the ancient McCullough building which was originally erected some time around 1830 as a Chandlery and warehouse.

The inventory is populated with with nautical, historic and local themes, e.g. Fairhaven, Dartmouth, Mattapoisett, Marion, Made In New Bedford, etc. Many of the products are crafted by local artists – jewelry, clothing, paintings, woodwork, and more. In fact, Laurie estimates that a full 95% of the products are made by locals, all between the ages of 5-80 years old.

You really can’t get more “shop small, shop local” than the Landing Gift Shop & Chandlery.

Since 2003 Laurie was selling selling scallop bags, conch bait bags and consumables for the fisherman up and down the East Coast out of her van. Instead of driving around so much, she decided to do something in the city she loves. She just wasn’t 100% sure what that would be.

“I saw my Portuguese parents come to this country and open a bakery and provide jobs for so many people and teach the employees a set of life skills so they could provide for their families. I wanted to make a difference. I thought it would be in some kind of manufacturing.” explained Laurie.

The Landing carries a number of lines of clothing, but can also customize the clothing on the spot while you wait.

By coincidence she saw the interior of the McCullough building and instantly fell in love with the exposed granite walls, post and beam architecture. Right then and there, she knew exactly what to do. She had to have it. “I knew our local artists needed a place to display their wares, and this was the place to do it! I knew I could provide a nice place and represent their art well.”

So what kinds of things will you encounter on the walls and in the aisles at The Landing? The list is an astounding one – one so big that it is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it say that apparel, artwork, every type of jewelry, scrimshaw, silver, totes, poly supplies, music, books, bait bags and more is just the tip of the iceberg. The Landing is easier understood when you break it down into its four sections:

Artists’ Harbor: hand-crafted pieces of art made by locals. Painting, woodwork, drawings, and more. Fashion Deck: a complete line of apparel including their own “Love Where You Live” and “Life Is A Drag” lines, clothing with the names of surrounding towns on them, “Made In New Bedford,” “Quahog Mafia” and more. Shirts, hoodies, scarves, gloves, socks. Everything. Fisherman’s Catch: items for our fishermen and seafood processing plant workers – things like scallop bags, boots, onion bags, bait bags, aprons, etc. Custom Print Shop: a screen printing shop where they make all their own apparel and can take your custom orders for specialized gifts, team apparel, onesies, fundraising shirts, uniforms, and more. They do not charge for the artwork and you can pick your favorite hoodie or t-shirt and they will make it for you on the spot!

The Landing’s website has an online Apparel Catalog and a full catalog in case you want to order something online, or get an idea of some of the things that they carry.

Manager Carlos Chamarro showing up the eclectic items you’ll encounter at the Landing.

Of course, nothing is better than simply stopping in and browsing in person and meeting Laurie or Carlos. If you’re like me, you spend a lot of time downtown and likely within walking distance. Take 5-10 minutes out of your day and stop in to check out a unique shop that is quintessential New Bedford. You’re guaranteed to find something you won’t find anywhere else.

The Landing Gift Shop & Chandlery is sandwiched between Rose Alley Ale House and Cork Wine & Tapas. You can park inside their lot at the front door or on Commercial Street for free. Of course, the small parking lot on the corner of Water Street and Union is another great spot.

If you’re going to spend money on apparel, don’t buy something generic, impersonal, and pricey at a chain store where the profits got to a corporate headquarters out of state. If we don’t support local and small, we’ll have nothing but chain stores carrying the most popular items. Support a store that is local as it gets – a store with a better variety of inventory and one that can be customized. People who live, work, and buy right here in New Bedford.


The Landing Gift Shop & Chandlery
98 Front Street
New Bedford, Massachusetts, 02740
Phone: (508) 642-9211
EMail: Thelanding98@gmail.com

Tue-Wed: 12:00 pm-7:00 pm
Thu: 10:00 am-7:00 pm
Fri: 1:00 pm-7:00 pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Facebook: facebook.com/thelanding98
Website: thelanding98.com/


Instagram: TheLanding
Twitter: @TheLanding98



About Joe Silvia

When Joe isn't writing, he's coaching people to punch each other in the face. He enjoys ancient cultures, dead and living languages, cooking, benching 999#s, and saving the elderly, babies and puppies from burning buildings. While he enjoys long walks on the beach, he will not be your alarm clock, because he's no ding-a-ling.

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3 comments

  1. Do you have any small replicas of the New Bedford lighthouses? If so, how much are they?

    Thank you? C.C.

    • FRAUD ALERT !! The Landing is a complete fraud. They work with us for 3 months and didn’t pay us back our money. Now they are not even replying to our emails and calls. They are a complete fraud. Owed us $140.50. Never work with them guys.

  2. If the Landing is such a big supporter of local business and artists then why did they rip off a local artist of $500 for a commissioned piece? You have the piece, display it in the shop and refuse to or even attempt to make any payments on it. Poor poor business. be careful.

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