A building in the Lofts at Wamsutta Place mill complex will soon be the new home of New Bedford Antiques; an antiques cooperative presently located in the Fairhaven Mills building on Coggeshall Street. The Fairhaven Mills property is the site of the Riverside Landing redevelopment project by Dickinson Development Corporation.

Upon relocation, the antiques cooperative will change its name to “New Bedford Antiques at Wamsutta Place”. The move is representative of the continued revitalization of the Hicks–Logan–Sawyer Growth District, an area that includes The Lofts at Wamsutta Place- 250 luxury, loft-style apartments presently being developed by Stephen Ricciardi of “Wamsutta II” of Quincy, MA.

Relocating to the 61 Wamsutta Street address will dramatically expand the amount of showroom space, creating the potential for New Bedford Antiques at Wamsutta Place to partner with 120 antiques dealers, a significant increase over its current 85 dealers. The business move is expected to occur in mid-April with a soft opening scheduled for May 1.

“Each year, New Bedford’s growing antiques cluster attracts many visitors and shoppers to our city. In addition to shopping at the antique stores, these same visitors enjoy the food at our local restaurants, visit our museums and art galleries, and in turn support many other local businesses. New Bedford Antiques at Wamsutta Place will continue to play an important role in this area of our local economy and we wish the business owners many more years of success,” said Mayor Scott W. Lang.

Jeffrey Costa, co-op president, said, “Our company is known throughout the antiques market world as one of the best in terms of customer return and dealer stability. The new location at Wamsutta Place will broaden our customer base and connect them to downtown.”

Mr. Costa has been property manager at the Coggeshall Street operation for the past 4 years. “I would like to thank the developers Mark Dickinson and Mark White for their coordination and financial assistance in ensuring that we find a permanent location,” he added.

“We are pleased to provide a new home for New Bedford Antiques at Wamsutta Place” said Stephen Ricciardi whose company is in the process of completing the second phase of the Lofts at Wamsutta Place that will bring the project to a total of 250 units.

The New Bedford Economic Development Council is providing financial support through its lending program, enabling necessary improvements to be made to the space before it is used as a retail antiques center.

“The relocation of the antiques co-op to this area is one more important brick in the rebuilding of the Hicks-Logan-Sawyer district. The mixed-use Wamsutta Place development exemplifies the city’s revitalization strategy” said Matthew A. Morrissey, executive director of the New Bedford Economic Council. “Additionally, it is crucial to keep visitors coming to the city and to retain New Bedford Antiques jobs.”

The building is situated on the corner of Wamsutta and North Front streets with ample parking and has two floors containing approximately 28,000 square feet. Built in 1910, the building is clearly visible from the New England Fast Ferry parking lot and Route 18.

April 15, 2009