- April 19, 2024
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Victoria Carvalheira, Antonio Paulo, Jennifer Domingues, Briana and Sabrina Carvalheira, Lucy Paulo and Daniel Paulo. Photos courtesy of LusoAmericano Newspaper
Antonio Paulo shows some of the patterns for the masks. Photos courtesy of LusoAmericano Newspaper
Lucy Paulo with volunteer Victoria Carvalheira. Photos courtesy of LusoAmericano Newspaper
Editor's note: A version of the following story was originally published in Luso-Americano Newspaper, based in Newark, New Jersey. It was translated from Portuguese for republication here by Maria Elizabeth Frazão Pereira, with permission of Luso-Americano.
The hustle and bustle is high at Alterations by Lucy, at 15C Utility Drive, Palm Coast. Lucy Paulo’s business of garment alterations and dry cleaning has been converted 100% to making masks for protection from the COVID-19.
"It's much more important at this point, and my regular clients understand the situation. It's all for a good cause."
LUCY PAULO
"In a week and a half, we have made 1,500 to 2,000 masks," said Paulo, who also has a location in Ormond Beach. "We are creating a pattern model that includes a filter and a small piece to adjust next to the nose."
Paula has opted for textile materials with cheerful patterns, "to put a smile on people's faces as well."
The company is now filling orders from states around the country.
“I stopped everything that I was doing to meet this need for masks that COVID-19 created," she said. "It's much more important at this point, and my regular clients understand the situation. It's all for a good cause."
The seamstress is only charging to cover the costs of the materials and to keep the business open. "I do not charge for my labor," she said.
Paulo, a native of the city of Braga in Portugal, immigrated to the United States over 50 years ago and settled in Palm Coast 15 years ago. She set up Lucy’s Alterations about 13 years ago with her husband, Antonio Paulo. Together they already have two additional dry cleaning businesses in Palm Coast (Crisp and Clean, 250 Palm Coast Parkway NE, Suite 204, 386-302-5909) and Ormond Beach (160 S. Nova Road, 386-673-4611), with their son Daniel Paulo joining the business. He's the one who had the idea to convert the business to making masks.
"I'm doing it with all the love in my heart and hoping that they can help save lives," Lucy Paulo said.
Call Alterations by Lucy at 386-246-0085.
