New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
There was a time in our country when most of one’s shopping was generally done at Mom & Pop stores. With the advent of the department store – compressing various stores that specialized into departments – the Mom & Pop began to fade out. Since the chain store saved money by purchasing in volume, they could lower their prices. Low price, massive inventory that rarely, if ever, ran out and having one place for everything instead of going to a half dozen places made sense to Americans. It also saved us money.
Over the course of a few decades, the big chains began to swallow the little guys more and more. To the point that there were very few of them left. Then…they slowly began to come back. People started to feel like a number. They got sick of looking at a different face each time they visited. They had no history with the employees because they chains had a high turn over rate. Some of us weren’t feeling comfortable about the death of the small store and were equally unhappy with sending the money to some unknown headquarters in another state.
America said “We’d love to have the mom & pop’s back. To keep the money local. To be called by my first name. For the employee or owner to remember me, my projects, my past purchases and interactions. BUT, I want to know that there will always items in stock available when I need them – they would have to be reliable. More importantly, I want to keep those savings. As is the way of life in America, wherever there is an opportunity someone will seize it.
The Mom & Pops have made a powerful comeback. We are seeing more and more small, unique shops cropping up. While we lose having the convenience of one-stop shopping to purchase the variety of things we need throughout the day or week, in return we lose the long lines and waits. Nobody misses that!
One small shop that has seized this opportunity is “New Bedford Pack ‘N Ship” 789 Mt. Pleasant Street in New Bedford – a packing and shipping center authorized for Fedex, DHL & USPS. Pack ‘N Ship also offers copy/fax service, packaging supplies, notary services, private mailbox rentals, greeting cards, signs/banners & promotional items. They also excel at making labels for anything you might manufacture – all sizes, types, shapes. In addition, Pack ‘N Ship is a sign and print shop and can handle orders from small to huge.
This “little shop that could” is run by lifelong New Bedford resident Derek Fernandes and his family. Derek’s inspiration came from a business transaction he had with a friend who lived in Brooklyn, New York. “I had to send him some signage that I had made and it required some special handling. The only spot that could do this was up in Raynham to drop it off. A few days later he called and when he heard how far I needed to travel to ship it he said ‘You need to open a store! I’ll help if you need me to get you started.'”
The rest is history. Since his friend already owned two such stores, he shared his experiences and business wisdom for this specific business. He knew he wanted to be in his city where he was born and raised – providing a valuable service to his community was a no-brainer. He opened his doors on October 28th, 2013. Derek is not knew to running a business professionally – he has over 18 years experience in retail, has managed 2 cellular stores in the past, currently also owns a Security Camera business and is a Notary Public.
So you get that small store customized service, don’t have to travel far for special circumstances, you have history and a name, and most importantly you keep the savings. How is it possible for Derek to compete with the big chain? Derek explains it best: “I run the business debt free, meaning my overhead is low and I pass on the savings to the consumers. My employees are all family members, I work hard to ensure they have stable employment. We offer all the shipping carriers, we are the one stop shop.”
In addition to all the above services, products and benefits Pack ‘N Ship also offers private mailboxes for around $12 per month. Get this: they are accessible 24 hours a day through an automated door. You can also receive carrier shipments at the boxes. Affordable, secure, and convenient.
Derek encourages everyone to compare his prices to the big box stores to see how competitive his prices are, beating most of what they charge. If you need labels or signage, or have something to ship, and want to save money, desire professional, friendly service, and want to keep what you spend local, then you’ll find just that with New Bedford Pack ‘N Ship. After a few visits, you’ll be called by your name and can continue where you left off or often Derek will save you time by saying “Hey Joe, you need more of those 6″ envelopes or some more bubble wrap again?” You have a name and history here. A family owner and run mom & pop. If you ever have the desire to stand in a long line, be the person with two items in the “12 or less” in front of people with 20 items, or want to explain your project or business on every visit, you can always drive down the road!
I’m willing to bet after a few visits you’ll be hooked. You’ll be happier and your wallet will thank you.
789 Mt Pleasant St
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Phone: (774) 202-0850
Email: derek@nbpackship.com
Website: nbpackship.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/nbpackship/
