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Boston Globe
9 hours ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
Fall River plows forward amid tariffs and harsh immigration policies
It's a challenge that Advertisement His company, which serves the broader Portuguese-speaking diaspora from Cape Verde, Brazil, and beyond, prefers to recruit bilingual workers, but over the last few years that has become tough and the recent changes in immigration policies have likely worsened that challenge. Even though Benevides only hires workers with documentation, 'the well is drying up in terms of people' regardless, he said. Michael Benevides is the Vice President of Portugalia Marketplace, a Portuguese specialty grocery store in Fall River. His business imports the majority of the products it sells which are subject to tariffs, he said. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff Businesses like Portugalia are grappling with Local businesses are trying to find ways to mitigate against the impact of tariffs, said Advertisement 'If the tariffs are really going to raise their prices or raise their costs significantly, they've got to be careful with what they do,' he told the Globe. 'We've got . . . companies that are really concerned about what's happening overseas with the tariffs.' Immigration troubles, too, have rippled through some sectors of Fall River's economy, like manufacturing and hospitality. 'The hospitality field really has to work to find new ways to recruit people. Because those workers, they're just not available,' O'Sullivan said. Fresh prepared food for sale at Portugalia Marketplace, a Portuguese specialty grocery store in Fall River. The business imports most of its products from abroad. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff But the crackdown 'It's naturally going to have an impact across all the sectors,' O'Sullivan said. 'There's a large number of immigrant employees who live in Fall River, that live in New Bedford, and vice versa. So, I mean, it's a significant impact.' Advertisement 'What's happening a lot is people are in hiding, they're a little nervous to come out and be loud,' she said. 'They don't know what could happen.' Some entrepreneurs in the region are choosing to do less marketing and increasingly rely on word of mouth to attract business, she said. 'Times are tough, so I think that we need to pull them together a little bit more,' Moniz said. But while things have slowed down for the community, there is also a sense that people need to just move forward despite it all. 'When you're running a business and you're investing, in many cases, your life savings and you've got your family working there . . . and that's how you've chosen to support your family . . . you have to keep plowing forward, and you have to just keep working hard,' O'Sullivan said. Benevides at Portugalia said that Fall River needs its immigrants to bolster its workforce. 'As an immigrant, I think we need immigrants. We need immigrants to work,' he said. 'We've had tremendous success with immigrants.' A row of salt fish including salted cod for sale at Portualia Marketplace in Fall River. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff Fall River, long a Democratic stronghold, went for Donald Trump in November, But there could be buyer's remorse among some voters as they see the extent of the changes his administration is imposing, said Advertisement 'I think people have now become frustrated,' he said. 'It's not what they expected, it's not what they bought into, not only on immigration policy, but a whole bunch of other policies that are taking place. So I think, collectively, they're disappointed.' Three men walked past a mural on the side of a business in Downtown Fall River as they walk along South Main Street. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff Mayor Paul Coogan said residents in Fall River are preoccupied by basic things such as housing costs, wages, and how much they pay for their groceries. 'It's a bread-and-butter community,' he said. 'When the rubber meets the road, they're worried about the blue-collar issues.' Fall River tends to be centrist in its politics, according to Fiola. 'The running joke is we're either conservative Democrats or liberal Republicans,' he said. 'We're sort of in the middle as a city, but I think they'll have their voices heard when they don't like what things are going on on the national level.' Omar Mohammed can be reached at
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fall River Eats: Food Trucks at the Gates to return; Bajah's Cat Cafe fundraiser
Not sure where to grab a bite to eat? With lots of options around the Fall River area, it can be difficult to choose. If you're having a hard time, we're here to help you narrow it down. We've compiled a list of meal deals, special events, and mouth-watering offerings at local eateries and markets to consider when planning your next night on the town, or a quick stop for a tasty treat. This week, we've got a sneak peek at the return of Fall River Food Trucks at the Gates. Plus, sip and shop with cookbook author Maria Lawton at Portugalia Marketplace. We've also got where you can get a free boba on your birthday, plus cheesecake, fish sandwiches, fish and chips, and even a fundraising event for Bajah's Cat Cafe. Let's dig in: Local foodies have another event to add to their spring calendar: Fall River Food Trucks at the Gates is back for another season, starting in May. The first event will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 5 p.m. to sunset. At The Gates of the City, with Fall River's waterfront as a picturesque background, hungry diners can enjoy a variety of offerings from a line-up of food trucks, plus local beer and wine from Party with Primo and Troy City Brewing. There will be live music too. This event is made possible in partnership with the City of Fall River and Mayor Paul Coogan's office, and is produced by PVD Food Truck Events. Entry is free; you just pay for what you eat and drink. Food trucks accept cash, credit, and debit cards. Smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes are prohibited. Guests are not permitted to bring their own coolers with alcohol. Pets are not encouraged. Guests should try to take recyclable items home with them. For an updated list of food trucks that will be attending throughout the season, visit The next Fall River Food Trucks at the Gates events will be on Thursday, July 31, and Thursday, Aug. 14. Edible Southeastern Massachusetts will be at Portugalia Marketplace, 489 Bedford St., Fall River, hosting a special event with Maria Lawton. Sip and shop with Maria Lawton, host of the award-winning 'Maria's Portuguese Table' on PBS, on Wednesday, April 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn how to shop like an Azorean local and celebrate the release of Lawton's newest cookbook, 'At My Portuguese Table: Azorean Cooking and More.' Find tickets online at Fall River Eats: Here's when Evelyn's Drive-In will open for the season If you're looking for a little treat on your birthday, you can get a free birthday boba from Mr. Chen, 210 Rhode Island Ave., Fall River. No purchase necessary; just show your ID. New space: Pink Bean reveals its revamped coffee shop. Look at its new Somerset expansion POP Culture Cake Pops, 1 Chace Rd., Freetown, has a new cheesecake flavor: Post Malone Oreo salted caramel cheesecake. Christopher's, 1816 S. Main St., and Christopher & Nate's, 99 S. Main St., Fall River, will both be serving up panko baked haddock sandwiches on Friday. Give them a call at 774-955-1937 to reserve yours. Bajah's Cat Cafe will be holding Kiki's 7th birthday fundraiser at The Eagle Event Center, 35 N. Main St., Fall River on Sunday, April 27, from noon to 4 p.m. Light fare is included in the ticket price, which is $15. There will be vendors and crafters, raffles, and a photo station with Kiki and Oliver. Prospective vendors can send an email to BajahsCatCafe@ And, since it is Kiki's birthday, there will be birthday cake. 'This is our most important fundraiser of the year – we truly need your support to help us grow Bajah's Rescue!' the cafe wrote in a March 15 Facebook post. For tickets, and more information, visit Kathy's Coffee Shop, 133 State Rd., Westport, will have air-fried fish and chips on Friday, March 21, for $12.99. Do you have a special deal, menu item, or food-related event to share with local foodies? Send us an email at kfontes@ or news@ This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River Eats: Food Trucks at the Gates to return in May
