When it came to anything made of fabric for the home, there was only one place in Chelsea with a great selection and a fair price. That place was Nobrega’s Discount House, and after 60 years in business (43 in Chelsea) the family-operated store is calling it quits this weekend. Located on the Parkway in a very visible building abutting Rt. 1, Nobrega’s always attracted a lot of attention due to their well-kept front windows that were full of the latest styles in curtains and bedding. As of Saturday though, it will be no more. “My kids went in other directions and into other businesses,” said Robert Nobrega, who has operated the Chelsea store since it opened in 1970. “Other family members also went in other directions. I haven’t been feeling all that well and it was just time. However, I had no one to pass this on to. That’s the main reason I’m closing is I have no one to pass the business to. I tried and just couldn’t make it happen. So, it’s time to close.”

The property, he said, will now become part of an expansion project by Metro Credit Union – whose headquarters are just across the Parkway. The credit union’s campus will absorb the Nobrega’s property for office and parking use, and will also expand into the Prattville Pizza building on Washington Avenue. Nobrega’s started out with Joseph and Mary Nobrega – Robert’s parents – opening up a home fabrics store in Cambridge in 1948. That store began to boom and did well for decades before a fire consumed it in 1997, thus spelling its end. Nobrega said the family ventured to Chelsea because they used to drive by the Parkway location every day on the way home, and they saw an untapped market. They opened up here in 1970. “It was an ideal location here because everyone saw us when they went by going to New Hampshire, to the Beach or to the airport,” he said. “We took the chance in Chelsea because we were doing really well in Cambridge at the time. We lived in Nahant and drove by all the time.

There used to be a gas station here, but it closed. My dad would always say what a great location it was and how you couldn’t miss with this location. So, we took the chance and it paid off.” Nobrega’s was widely known for its bedspread business when that home article was tremendously popular. Any good homemaker at the time, also, couldn’t have bought a bedspread without a full outfitting of new curtains and perhaps some other items as well. And that’s how the business thrived, attracting customers from Chelsea, Revere, Everett, Winthrop and other nearby locales.dunelm mill curtain pole rings “We had very good customers and our employees were great, all well trained and helpful,” he said. kenney curtain rod instructions“Customers knew they would get great help and would get what they wanted here. dunelm mill cream blackout curtains

We were very competitive. I shopped around and my father and mother did as well. We made sure to give people good choices and competitive prices. That was really the key.” Nevertheless, bedspreads began to wane in popularity as larger retail stores drove out American manufacturers – changing the business entirely and creating headaches for smaller retailers like Nobrega’s. “Now, it’s almost impossible to get a bedspread,” he said. “Most every manufacturer in the U.S. went out of business and everyone imports comforters instead. curtain factory outlet n12If the big stores won’t buy it, they won’t ship it to you. wisan curtainsYou have to find somebody to ship it over. social shower curtain thinkgeek

The smaller companies like me were forced to buy similar items…That changed the whole business and killed the bedspread industry – putting a lot of people out of business and giving headaches to retails like me.” Over the last three years, due to challenging health situations in the family, Nobrega said he had been looking to sell the business. After a few deals fell through, Nobrega and Metro were able to work out a deal just recently. He said his last day will most likely be Saturday, July 6th, and the property will be turned over by July 13th.4 pics 1 word ticket red curtain optical illusion “It has been a pleasure serving our customers all these years and trying to help them out,” he said. “After being in business 60 years, you get to know a lot of people.” of 178results12345NextDidn't find what you were looking for?magnifying glassDo you like it?× LikeNot a Fan× Thank You!

Anthony Memorial ~ Frank A. Welsh & SonsFUNERAL HOMES Tel. 617-884-3259 / 617-889-2723 Who We Are : Our Locations Anthony Memorial Funeral Home Conveniently located in Cary Square, our homelike interior offers comfortable surroundings for visitors and guests. Complete with ample easily accesible parking for your family and friends. Get Directions on Google Maps From the South (via) Zakim & Tobin Bridges: Use I-93N, through Boston and  cross over the Zakim Bridge. Take exit 27 (Left lane exit) Route 1 North / Tobin Bridge. Take the 3rd Exit – “Webster Avenue CHELSEA”, turn Left onto Webster Avenue, continue to the traffic light and turn left onto Route 16 West. At the next set of traffic lights, (Nobrega’s Curtain Store will be on your left, McDonalds will be on your right) turn left onto Washington Ave. Follow Washington Ave. for 4 blocks into Cary Square. The Funeral Home is located on the far left corner of the Square. The Parking Lot is in the rear.

From the North (via) Route 1 Follow Route 1 South, Take Route 16, Everett – Somerville exit. Follow Route 16 West to 2nd traffic light.At 2nd traffic light, turn left onto Washington Avenue. (Nobrega’s Curtain Store will be on your left, McDonalds will be on your right)Follow Washington Avenue for 4 blocks into Cary Square.The Funeral Home is located on the far left corner of the Square. From the North (via) Route I-93 South / Wellington Circle: Follow I-93 South to Medford, Take Exit 31 - Route 16 East. Follow Route 16 East for 3.5 miles to Washington Ave, Chelsea. (Pass Wellington “T” Station, - Harley Davidson Dealership -  Super Stop & Shop – Chelsea High School Athletic Field, continue on Route 16 to the next traffic light)At traffic light, turn right onto Washington Avenue. (McDonalds will be on the far left)Follow Washington Avenue for 4 blocks into Cary Square.The Funeral Home is located on the far left corner of the Square; From the West (via) MMassachusetts Turnpike / I-90: