New Bedford Restaurant’s Brilliant Plan to Tackle Downtown Parking Problem

Downtown New Bedford has plenty going for it: great food, local beer, live music and a waterfront vibe. However, if you ask restaurant owners what the biggest challenge is lately, many will tell you the same thing: parking.

Now, one Union Street staple is doing something about it.

Moby Dick Brewing Company, one of the first breweries to help kick off the craft beer scene in downtown New Bedford, has rolled out a clever solution to make visiting a little easier on the wallet.

Turning New Bedford's Parking Problem Into a Perk

Recently, the YMCA parking lot located right next door to Moby Dick began charging $5 to park. While that may not sound like much, General Manager Michael Warren said even small costs can discourage people from coming downtown.

To help offset that, Moby Dick Brewing Company has launched a simple program: if you park in the YMCA lot, dine or grab drinks at the restaurant and spend $50 or more, they will reimburse the $5 parking fee.

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All you have to do is pay the attendant in the YMCA lot (cash or card), keep the receipt on your dashboard and either snap a photo of it or bring proof inside.

Show that receipt while dining, and Moby Dick will comp the parking.

Why Valet Didn’t Feel Right

Some nearby restaurants have already explored other parking solutions. Just down the street, the National Club has implemented valet service.

Moby Dick considered that idea, but Warren said it just didn’t feel like the right fit for a neighborhood brewery.

“People coming to a brewery aren’t really looking for valet,” he said, adding that they wanted something that felt more casual and accessible.

Covering the parking fee seemed like the perfect middle ground.

A Simple Idea Getting Attention

The idea is already starting to catch the attention of other nearby businesses.

Surrounding restaurants, including Tia Maria’s European Café, have expressed interest in potentially getting on board with a similar approach.

For now, though, Moby Dick Brewing Company is leading the charge, turning a parking headache into a small but meaningful perk for customers.

If you ask me, I'd rather spend that five bucks on a cold beer.