Grammy Winner Tyler, the Creator Makes Unexpected Stop in Downtown New Bedford

It's not every day that a Grammy-winning rapper casually strolls into a small business in downtown New Bedford, but that's exactly what happened on Friday, October 9, when Tyler, the Creator made an unexpected visit to The Art Box on Union Street.

Owner Nick Martin of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, was completely caught off guard when the internationally recognized artist walked into his custom framing shop at 246 Union Street. As it turns out, Tyler wasn't looking to frame anything. He was simply searching for a local antique store.

Martin told me he was so shocked by the encounter that he didn't even acknowledge recognizing the celebrity standing in front of him.

Tyler, the Creator Was Looking for Antiques

"Tyler, the Creator popped in looking for Cottage Antiques," Martin said. "I was too shocked to see him and flabbergasted that he was in my shop to acknowledge that I knew him in the moment."

Amy Sussman, Getty Images

According to Martin, Tyler didn't purchase anything during his visit. Instead, the rapper left with directions to Cove Antiques, although Martin said he didn't appear to follow them. As for why Tyler was visiting New Bedford in the first place, that's still a mystery. Martin couldn't offer any additional details beyond the rapper's apparent interest in antique shopping.

However, Martin wasn't about to let the opportunity slip away completely. "I did send messages to all of his representation to see if he wanted to play a 'Final Fridays' event," Martin joked. Martin also discovered a rather amusing coincidence: he and Tyler share the same birthday, March 6, just one year apart.

Another Celebrity Stopped By Days Earlier

Believe it or not, Tyler wasn't the only recognizable name to walk through Martin's doors recently. Just days earlier, bestselling author and humorist David Sedaris stopped by The Art Box while killing time before his performance at New Bedford's Zeiterion Performing Arts Center.

Bryan Bedder, Getty Images

Sedaris spotted a small whale displayed in the shop's front window, decided he liked it, and walked inside to purchase it.

Two celebrity visits in one week? Not too shabby for a small downtown business.

A Small Business Making a Big Impression

Martin opened The Art Box in May 2024, specializing in custom framing for everything from photographs and artwork to shoes, memorabilia, and other unusual keepsakes. The shop is also home to Harley and May, Martin's two miniature dachshunds, who frequently greet passersby from their cozy storefront display affectionately known as the "Wiener Window."

READ MORE: New Bedford’s Wiener Dog Window Brings Joy to Passersby

Beyond framing, Martin supports local artists and musicians through his monthly Final Fridays performances, bringing live entertainment into his shop. Also, who knows? Maybe one of these days, Tyler, the Creator will return to New Bedford for a little more than antique shopping now that Martin has extended the invitation.