The Star Store began as a humble dry goods shop in New Bedford’s whaling era, evolved into a grand downtown department store that died when the malls arrived, and re-emerged as a state arts college, only to close abruptly in 2023 with little notice. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell recalled this winding history as he […]
downtown New Bedford
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford’s Star Store sold for $1 to developer of artists’ housing
The Star Store, a former university arts campus in downtown New Bedford that closed abruptly in 2023, has been sold to a nonprofit that develops housing and workspace for artists. The Arts & Business Council Of Greater Boston purchased the Star Store for $1 on Thursday, according to a deed filed with the Bristol County […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford’s Moby Dick reading marathon draws record attendance
Organizers of the annual Moby Dick reading marathon in New Bedford say they set a new attendance record this past weekend. Nearly 2,500 people traveled to the Whaling Museum to participate, arriving from 37 states and countries as far away as Australia, Brazil, and Sweden, according to Amanda McMullen, the museum’s president and CEO. “It’s […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford takes Star Store owner to court
The City of New Bedford is suing the private owner of the Star Store for more than $500,000 in unpaid taxes through a process that could end with the city seizing ownership of the downtown property if its tax bill remains unpaid. The Star Store, an historic building that fills nearly a full city block […]
Posted inBusiness, Local, South Coast Bureau
Business groups battle over the spirit of downtown New Bedford
Love him or hate him, everyone in downtown New Bedford seems to be talking about Marco Li Mandri. The consultant from San Diego arrived here about 10 years ago, at the invitation of a small business association looking for new funding sources to make downtown a more attractive place to shop and dine out. Li […]
