Historic Building Rekindled as Downtown’s Newest Restaurant

Mayor, Servedwell Team Cut Ribbon on Candela Cucina in Candleworks Building

NEW BEDFORD Downtown’s newest restaurant honors the history of its historic building that helped New Bedford become “the city that lit the world.”

At the height of the whaling era in 1815, when whale oil burned in lamps to illuminate homes across the world, Samuel Rodman Sr. built the Rodman Candleworks building at 72 N. Water St. The business produced luxury candles crafted from sperm whale oil that became symbols of affluent, upper-class households.

On a chilly Friday morning more than 200 years later, Mayor Jon Mitchell and Servedwell Hospitality owner Stephen Silverstein cut the ribbon to officially open Downtown’s newest restaurant at the historic Candleworks building. It’s aptly named Candela Cucina; Italian for candle kitchen.

“The Silverstein family has invested heavily in New Bedford for generations, from the New Bedford institution that was Silverstein’s clothing store, the restaurants that dot the City today, to supporting numerous local causes,” Mayor Mitchell said. “I congratulate Stephen and his team for another successful launch.”

“We love the warmth and comfort of the Candleworks Building space and have had our eye on the property for a while,” Silverstein said. “We are very excited about Candela Cucina, a real Italian restaurant with an upscale mid-century design. I am fortunate to be surrounded by such talent as Pete Biondi, General Manager, and Joe Melo, Executive Chef. Business has been fantastic. We look forward to many years of success and service in the New Bedford community that we love so much.”

Candela Cucina is an upscale, authentic Italian restaurant featuring traditional Italian favorites and innovative contemporary creations. It has a cozy bar area and two intimate dining rooms complimented by local artwork, including a stunning landscape mural. New furniture and lighting were also included in the reimagined interior. A covered patio with a bar is planned for the months ahead.

The building has housed several restaurants over the years, most recently The Candleworks and Carmine’s at the Candleworks. Silverstein said Candela Cucina will be the restaurant group’s most high-end establishment to date.

Servedwell is no stranger to the region’s restaurant scene. Silverstein was the founder of Not Your Average Joe’s restaurant on Route 6 in Dartmouth, which blossomed into 25 locations across six states. Silverstein retired from the chain and purchased the original location, renaming it Joe’s Original after his father, Joe Silverstein. It was the first in Servedwell’s portfolio of restaurants, which now includes The Black Whale, Cisco Brewers New Bedford, The Whale’s Tail, Sail Loft in Dartmouth, and the Brotherhood in Nantucket.