Tia Maria's Cafe Bounces Back After New Bedford Road Closure

No business would ever choose to have the road in front of their building shut down, but somehow Tia Maria's European Cafe in Downtown New Bedford has survived it.

That's no small feat, as we can see from the Standard-Times article that reported the Whaler's Tavern will permanently close after this weekend.

Just two doors apart on North Water Street, one restaurant somehow survived the white whale of downtown construction while the other was sadly dragged under.

After the news of the upcoming closing of Whaler's Tavern, Tia's owner Jess Arruda shared what it takes to keep her restaurant afloat during a tough stretch in the neighborhood.

How Did Tia Maria's Handle the Road Closure?

When the road in front of the cafe was completely closed, Arruda told us she had to figure out how to make up the difference. She posted on social media daily to keep customers in the loop and booked extra private events to offset lost revenue. The cafe was down only about 10 percent, and once the road reopened, business bounced right back even surrounded by the seemingly endless construction.

What Does Arruda Think Happened at Whaler's Tavern?

Arruda said any business closing is sad. "But as a neighbor we saw the writing on the wall," she said. "I think the construction may have played a part, but marketing and social media matter just as much."

Fun 107 reached out to Whaler's Tavern for comment but has not yet heard back.

Is the Whaling Museum Expansion Worth the Wait?

Arruda calls the construction at the New Bedford Whaling Museum "growing pains" and said she welcomes it. "The museum brings in around 100,000 guests a year, and they expect the 20,000 square foot expansion to create more jobs and bring an empty corner back to life," she said. "The Whaling Museum has been a great neighbor. They always warn us before a road closure happens."

Arruda said she looks at the big picture and believes the museum's growth will be a benefit to all of the surrounding business. The pain will be worth it. "Anyone that's going to invest in our city, I think, is great," she said.

What Keeps a Neighborhood Restaurant Open?

After 13 years, Tia Maria's has brand recognition and loyal regulars. Arruda is making lemonade out of lemons. "We have construction workers walking over and stopping in two or three times a day. Weekends, which are our bread and butter are unaffected," she said.

Arruda also calls herself scrappy, and said she will wait tables or cook when the cafe is short staffed. "You do what you gotta do to stay open," she said.