The Story Behind Mattapoisett’s Iconic Bumper Sticker

If you grew up in Mattapoisett in the 1970s and 1980s, chances are you've seen one of the many bumper stickers designed by Kathryn Bradley.

The Nantucket resident is a member of the Old Rochester class of 1970.  She sharpened her design skills at New Bedford's Swain School of Design, which merged with UMass Dartmouth in 1988.

The Story Behind the Mattapoisett Sticker

Bradley said she was commissioned to design the "Mattapoisett ... It's Special" bumper sticker back in 1977. The sticker was designed to be a promotional item for Romeo's Package Store on Water Street in town. Owner Rick Lima was looking to align his business with the Mattapoisett community.

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"He wanted to get his name out there," Bradley said. "So, he had me design this bumper sticker. Thousands of them were distributed."

The idea was to have people go in, grab a sticker and get familiarized with the liquor store.

Bradley said she believes the stickers were free for the taking.

Who Came Up With the Mattapoisett Slogan?

Bradley credits Lima for dreaming up the now iconic slogan.

READ MORE: Why Mattapoisett's Colorful Barbie Garden Is Gone for Good

"He came up with the slogan, and I came up with the design," she said.  "I kept it very simple. After the bumper stickers were highlighted by an article in The Boston Globe, many of the surrounding towns borrowed the idea to distribute stickers of their own.  I specifically remember that Fairhaven did it, but I know there were more."

While new variations of her bumper sticker are still popping up around Mattapoisett, Bradley said she hasn't seen any.

"I'm pretty isolated out here in Nantucket, and I love every minute of it," she said.

Bradley said she'd like to design a new, more modern "Mattapoisett...It's Special" sticker for the town, but this time include beloved mascot Salty the Seahorse."

She said it feels good to know that the stickers are still around town and continue to be familiar to Mattapoisett residents after nearly 50 years.