Faces Of Nantucket: Rhaissa Andrade

Years on the Island: 10-plus

Favorite things about Nantucket: How everything is so close by and in walking distance, the nice people, how safe it is, the weather in the summer, and how it’s so small and welcoming.

Rhaissa Andrade has called Nantucket home for over a decade, having moved to the island when she was just eight years old. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Andrade was raised by her hardworking mother from Cape Verde who first came to Nantucket for a weekend visit, fell in love with its charm, and decided to stay.

Like her mother, Andrade has embraced the island and become a familiar face at Pip & Anchor on Amelia Drive, where she’s worked for the past two years.

“My mom… she came over here to the island and just fell in love. She was like, “Yeah, we just gotta live here,’” Andrade said.

A 2018 graduate of Nantucket High School, Andrade has grown up with an interest in Nantucket’s cultural history. She’s particularly proud of her Cape Verdean heritage, especially after learning about the contributions Cape Verdeans have made to the island – including their involvement in the whaling industry, building the cobblestone streets, and some of Nantucket's historic buildings.

“Honestly I was so amazed, especially with my little young self not knowing anything,” Andrade explained. “I was just like, wow. Like we were here before I was even here, so I thought that was super neat.”

At Pip & Anchor, Andrade embodies a welcoming, community spirit. While her main role is as a barista making coffee, her involvement goes beyond the counter.

“You'll mainly see me over at the barista doing coffee. But it's also restocking, taking orders, helping customers if they have any questions, things like that, bussing tables, you know, just helping out, giving everybody a hand,” she says.

Not only is Pip & Anchor a grocer and coffee shop but it is known for its commitment to addressing food insecurity on the island. The business partners with local farms and markets to provide fresh, locally sourced products for over 80 families, totaling over 300 people.

“We get donations, [and families] get a box of veggies every week, which is always amazing,” Andrade notes.

Getting involved with this effort at Pip has allowed Andrade to connect more deeply with the community, and helped her personal growth.

“I’m not a very nutritional person,” she admits. “Before working here, I didn’t know half of these things… half of the veggies, half of anything about cheeses and wines. Honestly, what I always brag about is that I'm getting my nutritional meals every single day.”

Andrade also lets her creative streak shine both at work and during her off time. She does all of the labeling for the store and designs the seasonal chalkboard art. She has also spent time tattooing and has aspirations to paint unique designs on clothes and even make rugs.

“I tend to be a little OCD, redoing everything to make everything nice and neat,” Andrade says. “Honestly, I feel like the floor is my house… I take care of it, so I’m moving things, making sure it’s straight,” she continues.

This creative streak runs in her family, with Andrade crediting her mom as her inspiration. Growing up, her mom used to make art from whatever materials were available – from food sculptures at the dinner table to designing Halloween costumes out of tissue paper and Stop & Shop bags, which introduced Andrade to her love for art from a young age.

Although she loves her job and the creativity she brings to it, Andrade admits that working in a busy environment can be challenging, especially during the summer rush.

“I get overstimulated sometimes, and my nerves get to me,” she explains. “When I first started working here, I was shy and reserved… now, I’m in my zone and I just like hum in my head, and that’s what gets me through.”