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HOLIDAY WRAP-UP
By LAUREN DALEY

We’re pleased to report that Downtown New Bedford’s shops and galleries saw holly jolly good holiday sales.

“The holiday season was phenomenal; it was by far our best period of the year,” said Marco Montez, owner of Traversia Urban Winery on Purchase Street. “We’re seeing more and more people shopping downtown—and the results show it.”

Pamela Arruda, owner of Be Jeweled on Centre Street, had a record-breaking sales day this season: “Be Jeweled had our busiest day ever, in 10 years of business, on Wednesday, Dec. 23,” Arruda said. “We have abundant optimism in both the outlook for the economy in general and the revitalization of downtown New Bedford in particular. “In spite of the blizzard forcing us to close our doors on what is normally one of the busiest days of the entire year— the Sunday before the holiday— our loyal clientele managed to find the time to visit in the remaining days,” Arruda said.

The Judith Klein Art Gallery also reported that “sales were good considering the economy and snow storm,” and Elaine Lima of Elaine's Black Whale and Celia Brito of Celia's Boutique both said sales were equal to, or better than, last year, with a boost in the two weeks leading up to Christmas.

Dan Berry at the New Bedford YMCA said New Year’s resolutions created “modest growth in YMCA memberships.”

But let’s not forget—these stores are open for business year-round. Downtown New Bedford’s unique shops and galleries offer a chance to support local artisans, while supporting our local SouthCoast economy.

You’re certain to find the perfect Valentine’s gift, birthday present, or your own mid-week pick-me-up at a downtown shop.

Here’s to a great 2010 in Downtown New Bedford!

Save Big With Downtown New Bedford, Inc. Member-to-Member Discount Program

If you’re a DNB, Inc. member, don’t forget you get a discount at your fellow member’s shops with the Downtown New Bedford, Inc. Member-to-Member Discount Program!
Enjoy the advantage of these discounts offered to DNB, Inc. members by your fellow members just by showing your ID or business card:

• Calico, 173 Union St. (508) 999-4147 - www.shopcalico.com - 10% off
• Celia's Boutique, 800 Purchase St. (508) 994-3833 - 10% off
• Converse Photo, 12 No. Sixth St. (508) 992-3910 - www.conversephoto.com -
  Buy one enlargement, get one same size free. 5 X 7 up to 12 X 18.
• Crowell's Fine Art and Framing, 382 Acushnet Ave. (508) 992-5231 - www.crowellsfineart.com - 10% off custom framing. Not valid in conjunction with other discounts.
• Judith Klein Art Gallery, 752 Purchase Street. (508) 965-7396 - www.Judithkleinart.com - 10% off.
• Arthur Moniz Gallery, 20-28 William Street. (508) 992-6050 - www.arthurmonizgallery.com - 20% off newly framed orders and 10% off already framed items in gallery and all prints.
• New Bedford Harbor Tours, Waterfront Visitors Center on Fisherman's Wharf - (508) 984-4979 - $2 per Adult and Senior ticket. $1 per child ticket.
• Thompson Farland, Inc., 30 North Water St. (508) 717-3479 - www.thompsonfarland.com - 10% off land surveying and engineering services (not to exceed $500.)
  
  And  the Zeiterion Theatre www.zeiterion.org is offering great discounts on three shows for DNB members!
  
• “Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway” on Feb. 10. Get $10 off the $37 tickets; 2 tickets per person.  Continue to support business in DNB by dining at Union City Grill on the night of the show and you will receive 20% off. 
• Check out Maria de Barros, one of Cape Verde’s shining stars, on Feb. 19. All DNB,Inc. members get $10 off the $34 tickets; 2 tickets per person.
• Lastly, the Z is offering a DNB, Inc. deal for Ballet Folklorico on Feb. 27. DNB, Inc. members will receive $10 off the $35 tickets; limit 2 tickets per person. Receive a 20% discount at No Problemo on the night of the show when you show your ticket.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE FOR DNB, INC. THIS SPRING!
BY Lauren Daley

The Board of Directors of DNB, Inc. wants your partnership.

The DNB, Inc. Board will hold a spring-time Membership Drive to increase the strength of this organization by increasing the number of businesses and residents we represent.
Joining is easy. Request a Membership Application, or join online with a credit card at www.downtownnb.org by clicking “Join Us.”

“We’ve taken a leadership role as one of the driving forces in the continued revitalization effort of the downtown,” said DNB Director Diane Nichols. “We need our membership base to grow in order to have a greater impact on the people who live, work and visit Downtown New Bedford.”

Downtown New Bedford has seen a steady increase in retail, restaurants/pubs, building occupancy, condominiums, commercial development and galleries—and the city’s economy will only grow as businesses unite. “We’re asking every business and stakeholder in Downtown New Bedford to join us,” Nichols said.

“The vitality and growth of downtown is indicative of the health of New Bedford’s heart.  It is the seat of our government.  It is where visitors, dignitaries and investors come.  Downtown New Bedford, Inc. puts your dollars into making New Bedford a place one has a reason to come back to again and again.  We need your help, and with your help we can make a difference.”

Feel free to ask questions or discuss your concerns with a board member, listed below. Call (508) 990-2777 or e-mail dnb@downtownnb.org .

Downtown New Bedford, Inc. Board Members:
Diane Arsenault Nichols, Executive Director
Marianne Conley Hodgson, Administrative Assistant
President Kevin T. Pelland, Citizens-Union Savings Bank
Vice Presidents Arthur Bennett, Resident; Katie Gilfeather, Outlook EAP; Richard Poyant, Poyant Signs, Inc.
Treasurer Zee Bryant, Zee Associates
Clerk Robert F. Murray, Attorney Robert F. Murray

Directors:
Elizabeth Isherwood, Mayor's Office
James A. Muse, Buyers Professional Real Estate
Jeffrey Pontiff, E. J. Pontiff Real Estate, Whaling City Expeditions
Modesta Levesque, The Standard-Times
David Medeiros, Sovereign Bank
Dennis D. Galvam, NSTAR
Lisa Bergson, WHALE
Theresa Romanovitch, Bristol Community College
Daniel J. Berry, YMCA SouthCoast
Eugene Lonergan, Merrill Lynch, Purchase Street Ventures
Keri Cox, mediumstudio/Resident
Larissa McLaughlin, Blush Beauty Bar
Peter M. DeWalt, Reynolds DeWalt Printing/Resident
Randall T. Weeks, Jr., Partridge, Snow & Hahn
Board Members Emeriti: Elaine Lima, Orren B. Robbins

WHY SUPPORT DOWNTOWN NEW BEDFORD, INC?

• For 20 years, we’ve had an excellent reputation as a downtown business association and resource for business start-up or assistance.
• We offer a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status.
• Our direct contact with the City government gives DNB, Inc. the ability to directly resolve downtown business concerns.
• We’re a go-to resource for timely info on downtown issues through  our monthly e-newsletters, e-blasts, quarterly Forum Meetings and weekly Safety Update Meetings. 
• We’re an excellent downtown marketing and promotion source. Our Annual Visitor’s Guide and map distribution has been widely used for the past 20 years.
• Our knowledgeable and helpful staff has good handle on downtown scene; we’re able to provide accurate, informative assistance to interested parties.
• We provide exposure for the arts and cultural community through our annual Downtown Gala and a close relationship with AHA!
• We work closely with all area economic development groups, business associations, non-profits, the Chamber of Commerce, WHALE, NBEDC, CEDC, MA SBDC, Community Foundation, Business Park Foundation, The United Way, Operation Clean Sweep, service clubs and others.
• We supports many downtown events, including: Taste of Southcoast; the New Bedford Seaport Chowder Festival, The Restaurant Run and New Bedford Half Marathon, the Holiday Stroll, Summerfest, AHA!, and more.
• And, of course, our officers, directors and staff are dedicated to, and invested in, the future of downtown.
  

Greetings from Lauren Daley
Hello, Downtown New Bedford.

I know you well, though you may not recognize me. I’ve written for The Standard-Times since 2005. If you get the Saturday paper, you may recognize me from BookLovers.

I’ve worked as the AHA! press writer for two years now, and when Keri Cox from mediumstudio, AHA!, and DNB, Inc. (she’s everywhere, isn’t she?) told me that DNB, Inc. needed a writer, I was immediately interested.

I met with Diane Nichols, and the more I found out about DNB, Inc., the more I fell in love with the idea of joining them.

A group that strives to boost small business, local economy and the arts? It seemed too good to be true.

I’m honored to take over for Sally Spooner as the writer and editor of the DNB, Inc. monthly e-Newsletter—although Sally will still be snapping your pictures.
I look forward to meeting and talking to all of you as time goes on. And if you have any press releases or tidbits you think are newsletter-worthy, please e-mail me at ldaley33@gmail.com.

Thanks for welcoming me aboard,
Lauren Daley