Submitted by Grand_Profession_207 t3_xw7831 in RhodeIsland
I stopped by Ure Outfitters in Hope Valley, my go to spot for outdoor gear (not affiliated) and I got to thinking, what other physical retail small businesses are sprinkled throughout the state?
This could be handy going into the holidays if everyone follows a similar format: Hope Valley, Ure Outfitters, Outdoor Gear/Camping/Hunting
Frog and Toad for the sole fact they do so much community work -- public beach access, bike lanes, speaking up for the disadvantaged, etc
Good Ole trust fund Asher, he'll be running for office soon
Another vote for Frog and Toad! I love that place
I really love Craft Land on Westminster. A lot of local art, little trinkets, jewelry, etc.
This! And Frog & Toad are the best for local stuff.
F&T FTW
The Fantastic Umbrella Factory in Charlestown. Trippy cool place that's worth the drive if that's your vibe.
Ski shop plus on 146?
awesome little shop, selection can be a bit sparse but great prices and really nice people
Is it in north Smithfield?
I think so? Right up the road from the drive in
Yes
Another one!
Westerly, Rhode Island Surf Co, Surf equipment/Art/Clothes
Are there surf stores around that aren't a "small business"? I'm partial to Matunuck myself, but I haven't been to one I wouldn't recommend!
Not really...some have gripes about Warmwinds but its 6 of 1, 1/2 doz of a debate for shop preference. Speaking of solely surf shops, theres like 5 alone between westerly and gansett. Gansett Juice, Vikani, Warm Winds, DRIFT, Matunuck Surf Shop. Aside from that is a handful of many local shapers and repair dudes.
Pow! Science! At the Wakefield Mall on Old Tower Hill Rd. They have a great selection of science, hobby, and educational toys!! They also do birthday parties and other educational classes and programs. They are super cool, and you should check them out!
Love grabbing gifts here!
I had a birthday party at the Middletown location once upon a time
Hack and Livery across the street from Ure is another good spot. In SOCO. I’ve always gone to Wickford to Christmas shop.
Different Drummer in Wickford is one of my favorites. They just moved a couple doors down so they have a bigger space now.
I went by Ure Outfitter for the first time a couple weeks ago. What a gem! Super cool place.
The owner, Jon, is a great guy too. Sometimes I just stop in to say hello and see how he's doing if I'm in the area, he's always great to chat with.
S’Om- Store on Main St. in Wakefield. It was the All That Matters store, under new ownership. Lots of cool and local art, gifts, trinkets, clothes, some yoga stuff too.
Edit: forgot jewelry!
The time capsule in cranston is great for vintage games, music and collectibles.
Never been to the one in Cranston but their seekonk location is great
been to that one too, cranston one has more stuff generally.
Smithfield, Providence Brick Exchange. Tons of Lego & things you probably can’t find in the Lego store currently
Second this. Awesome place, great selection with fun deals all the time
*so, so many just in Providence alone*
Homestyle, Queen of Hearts/Modern Love, Craftland, Civil, and the Vault Collective are all on Westminster in downtown.
J Marcel on Hope Street.
Lola on North Main.
Lore on Brook Street.
Frog and Toad because of so many reasons.
Grasmere in Bristol is a fun shop to browse through for mostly ladies items including jewelry and clothing, but also has lots of fun trinkets, restored antique lamps, local artwork and gift items.
Hungry Ghost Press in Olneyville has a lot more fun and counterculture forms of local art and trinkets than the rest of the local art shops. They also are doing the lonleyville art markets in the fall.
We Be Jammin'
Jams and Jellies
There are a few decent local dive shops:
Dive On It Scuba in Cumberland
Giant Stride in Warwick
East Bay Dive Center in Warren
studio lore in providence is awesome! such a unique curation of things
Yes! And The Matchbox across the street as well.
New Harvest Coffee at 10 Sims Avenue in PVD roasts really good coffee and has a bar/cafe along with the coffee sales. Their classes there are fun, too, and they go out to farmer's markets on the weekend.
The staff are super nice, and the owner is a good guy.
newharvestcoffee.com
Most main street areas of smaller towns in smaller cities are mainly small business. Main street wakefield is all small businesses, main street EG (moreso restaurants) Wickford main, Wickenden Street Providence...easier thing to do is say where small businesses arent: Providence Place Mall and Bald Hill Road!
Continental Bait and Tackle on Park in Cranston. Really friendly and helpful family runs the place. Everything you need to start fishing and they also sell guns too.
Reality A Games in West Warwick. Collectible shops with the usual TCGs, tabletop, and board game stuff you'd expect, but also have a huge selection of retro games.
Basically every bait and tackle shop in the country is like this salty ole man just chilling giving advice
Someone should wiki this!
Untapped games in Pawtucket(practically providence) for an awesome game store.
Of the magic/pokemon/cards/ttrpgs/board games variety.
It's my go to spot for D&d books and accessories!
Clean, well lit, great staff. I’ve met many of my good friends there.
Gayas cradle in east Providence is a newer game store, small but great owners and community.
On the opposite end of that spectrum is hobby haven, great selection of Gundam model kits and stuff but I refuse to go in anymore because the owner is the textbook definition of toxic nerd.
Westerly has The Savoy Bookshop and Cafe, a gorgeous book and coffee shop and The United Theatre, a newly restored movie and entertainment theater with their beautiful restaurant & bar, The Cafe right next door.
Other independent downtown Westerly gems are Herbwise Naturals, an old school wellness, herb and health shop and Pompelmo Gelato shop.
URE is a great store, highly recommend checking it out if you're in/near the area and need any outdoor gear. Their prices are pretty good for most stuff as well.
I absolutely love spectrum India on Thayer
Symposium is an amazing book store in providence! Love seeing what they feature on their Instagram
Adler’s Hardware on Wickenden
Stedman's Bike Shop inWakefield. 102 years old and still going strong.
J. Marcel on Hope St. has the best curation of women's clothes. I recently discovered it and keep going back. Reasonable prices
On Lower Thames in Newport there is Newport Originals, which sells a lot of cool t-shirts, some food stuff like hot sauces from places around the state, and a bunch of stuff from local artists. I think like half of the t-shirts I wear are from there (the other half are the free ones I get from donating at the Rhode Island Blood Center).
Bellani Maternity in Warwick; fantastic baby/ small child shop with quality toys/ gifts (also a great roster of classes for kiddos!)
Foxfire Trading Company, Coventry, all handmade decor and jewelry, lots of upcycled stuff. Also Coventry, Popcorn's Dream candy shop, lots of retro candies.
Also Coventry, Krafty Sisters, candles and decor. Crystals and Brews, homemade teas, gift ideas, wiccan stuff (if you're into that).
Wickford, Beauty & the Bath, amazing bath bombs, robes, slippers, silly gag gifts!
Equivalent-Gain8365 t1_ir52lrg wrote
Providence, 2 locations: Frog and Toad “selling stuff you don’t need but gotta have since 2001”