Comments
dzoni-kanak t1_j35vhk1 wrote
The vintage shop actually grew and has since twice out grown space. They are Cured Collection at the Providence Place Mall.
SquattyLaHeron t1_j32s2g6 wrote
I used to go there in the early 1980s, there was a lot of traffic. The upper floors are micro-apartments now, right? Like Japan sized, 300 square feet? It's a lovely space. A shame it's not used.
Ph886 t1_j32uxu5 wrote
For me it was late 90’s, but still had shops on the 1st and I think it was offices on the second. It was really nice, but things like this are going away sadly.
SquattyLaHeron t1_j32w7n5 wrote
Given the location it doesn't make sense. The owners don't have enough imagination.
Ok-Technician-2905 t1_j32z1u7 wrote
I wonder what the point of a city is anymore when you can shop online, work online, and socialize online.
orm518 t1_j331oep wrote
Socialize online? Can my computer serve me a drink?
DazeKaze t1_j33b21h wrote
Actually it can at this point. RTDs delivered to your door quickly in most states.
GoGatorsMashedTaters t1_j33ws4w wrote
Sarcasm right?
[deleted] t1_j32znik wrote
[deleted]
cowperthwaite t1_j35lo5y wrote
At least one AirBnB
SquattyLaHeron t1_j35m9iz wrote
I saw a VRBO up there too
huron9000 t1_j33phic wrote
The small businesses on the Arcade ground floor have been hurt tremendously by the declining number of office workers in downtown Providence (and then Covid.) Back in the day that place was hopping at lunch. It was a pleasant & lively environment.
I hope it can bounce back as viable commercial spaces on the ground floor. The wrap place, the little food spots, and that coffee whiskey place were all cool.
realbadaccountant t1_j332vib wrote
I would love if the Arcade had an actual Arcade. Also Livi’s is pretty good if walking up college hill to East Side Pockets isn’t an option.
JasonDJ t1_j333jt6 wrote
Free Play is an 8 minute walk from The Arcade.
It took nearly that long to get from Showcase to Tilt (by foot) prior to the flood of the Warwick Mall.
realbadaccountant t1_j338zrc wrote
Coming off the top rope with the Tilt reference. Will have to check out Free Play. Thanks
JasonDJ t1_j339zyp wrote
Tilt (and Aladdins Castle) was where I spent most my High School days. Then TGA. None of these are around anymore…
It’s a barcade though, 21+ except on family days (which seem to be every-other Sunday).
Take the kids to D&B, which is still only ~15 minute walk from The Arcade.
realbadaccountant t1_j33b5zi wrote
Our boy is 14 months old and he’s already probably been to too many pubs. Saving this for a date night.
AkaCassius t1_j351qir wrote
Caldor to Dream Machine
JasonDJ t1_j357ac7 wrote
Is that where Caldor was?
I remember a lot of drives up and down Rt2 and Garden City when I was a kid. Usually CompUSA (Where hobby lobby is now), Lechmere (where Target is now), Tweeter (where Lumber Liquidators is now), and Circuit City (I think now Container Store).
I remember that Seekonk Caldor, I think, was where Target is now …and I feel like there was a Warwick Caldor, but I can’t place where.
bkquadstacker t1_j36loy6 wrote
Caldor was in the Warwick Mall where Jordan's Furniture is now!
RhodyVan t1_j33cmb5 wrote
Covid combined with general retail mall malaise combined with rising rents are doing a number. Luckily the rent from the micro-apartments is stabilizing the space somewhat. The Providence Mall also has a quite a few empty storefronts.
GoGatorsMashedTaters t1_j33wzdw wrote
It’s still doing amazing compared to the rest of the country. I’m lucky the mall is within walking distance to me.
Edit: the food court is A JOKE. HOW COULD YOU GO POPEYES?!
dnca111001 t1_j34caix wrote
AND TACO BELL TOO!!!! Honestly the Food Court loses a whole star for not having those two anymore
SuperSMT t1_j34sjqa wrote
I was just at Providence Place. There's maybe two empty stores?
BlushesandGushes t1_j35555f wrote
This isn't at Providence Place, it is the Arcade
SuperSMT t1_j36izsr wrote
He mentioned the "providence mall also", i assumed that meant providence place.
PawtucketPatriot t1_j32wwda wrote
I've lived in and around Providence most my adult life. I even recall going to the Arcade often with my mother, who used to work downtown. I recall going to a bakery, an Asian spice/herb/tea store, and a game store in late 80s/early 90s. There were a bunch of shops, not only on the first floor, but the two upper levels as well. It was eventually shut down, tenants kicked out, and rehabbed. After the rehab a few cool spots opened, some restaurants, and a bike shop. They added the microlofts to the upper floors. But it just doesn't have the same splendor or appeal it had before the latest rehab. The feel of a shopping center/mall is gone. There isn't the foot traffic it once had. However, the microlofts is a great alternative use. Would rather see something happen than having something historical sit empty or torn down.
Kelruss t1_j32zs80 wrote
One problem is that it’s not really near anything interesting. Like, what reason would you have to take a shortcut from Weybosset to Westminster that can’t be solved by just cutting through parking lots.
You can envision a situation where Arcade Street is a public way with shops that pull people out of KP, through the Arcade, with the parking from Weybosset to Dyer replaced by green space, which would connect you to the parks by the river that would take you all the way down to the Van Leesten and the businesses on South Main, but it would take an incredible amount of energy and power to develop something like that.
huron9000 t1_j386puf wrote
It’s smack dab in the middle of downtown. That should be the interesting enough- the street life, the commerce, the architecture. The architecture, at least is mostly still there…
The reason to cut through would be to buy and/or eat something from one of the small businesses that used to populate the Arcade.
Kelruss t1_j39ak0e wrote
> It’s smack in the middle of downtown.
Geographically (maybe), but not socially. Like, it used to be the case that there were more people when it was surrounded by offices and right across from the Fleet/Bank of America offices. But almost all of the buildings around it have tons of vacancies, and it’s centered in a bunch of parking. It’s not a “place” so to speak, it’s just a building out of the way.
Like, if you think about how people flow Downtown, they don’t flow east along Exchange and Weybosset. They mostly flow southwest down Washington and Westminster, south towards PPAC, or north toward the mall and train station. With the CIC and the beer garden and the pedestrian bridge, that’s a new destination.
But the Arcade is just sort of tangential to all of these flows, just a little too out of the way to attract the foot traffic it needs to thrive. That’s not its fault, of course, it’s just the reality after years of Downtown being hollowed out.
It’s possible to imagine a future where it’s the focal point of a journey with some creative placemaking, but I don’t think that’s necessarily what a lot of its neighbors care about.
huron9000 t1_j3m8opo wrote
Lot of good points in what you wrote.
iandavid t1_j336in5 wrote
I wish there was still a Spike’s in there 😭
bungocheese t1_j331l66 wrote
I was there like 2 weeks ago and don't recall it being super empty.
spokchewy t1_j32xujx wrote
Had the most “interesting” job interview of my life there, given by “Steve” from Le Grec (sp?) circa 1998 - he basically asked one question regarding my sexual preferences.
Dinosquid t1_j3494rv wrote
Said to be the oldest? Said to be???
Say it’s the oldest or fight Vinny Paz!!
Jtownusa t1_j35cuce wrote
I always worry about the Lovecraft Arts and Sciences shop. At times I believe it's been the last shop standing in there. Also LOL at the fucking landlords running this place. I wonder if they are noticing the correlation between rent hikes and a rapidly increasing lack of businesses.
Alarmed_Nebula3917 t1_j33sitr wrote
Used to get a solid bacon egg and cheese back in the day
emd3737 t1_j33vxmy wrote
I get my hair cut at a salon there. Wish there were more open shops, it's a cute building
dexbasedpaladin t1_j34kr65 wrote
I miss the Providence Cookie Co.
Db3ma t1_j3554e4 wrote
Havent been in ri for a while. I was concerned that the arcade might have been torn down. It was a part of my walk around in the city when i wore a younger mans clothes. College hill, Benefit Street, (the band not the asphalt) Eat at Joes, head shops on the "mall" that park with the really cool view of the 2nd largest un supported marble dome structure...
themostmoneys t1_j358e05 wrote
what happens when all the lower floor business dies? do they just make first floor condos and raise hoa fees? seems risky to get involved.
radarmy t1_j36m66c wrote
Does anyone here live in those condos, I am curious how that all works. Is there a HOA situation?
soensoensoen t1_j3grhlu wrote
There are condo associations. What do you want to know?
Oblivious-abe-69 t1_j383jci wrote
It’s wild how dead that small is. You’ll see like 5 ppl tops in there
nopurposeflour t1_j4dyt6c wrote
That’s not possible. Even more than 5 people live in those 40+ units upstairs.
Oblivious-abe-69 t1_j4f8v58 wrote
Lol man they don’t even have a kitchen in those things
nopurposeflour t1_j4fsa78 wrote
Yeah, that does suck. Read it was the only way they can pass code as a micro unit. We both know it’s catering to a younger crowd. However, 150k to live in downtown Providence isn’t bad.
Since the place is so old, I imagine the hoa is going to be a timebomb for eventual repairs.
Oblivious-abe-69 t1_j4gd5a9 wrote
Yeah not bad lol I looked at it myself for a bit
soensoensoen t1_j3gucsp wrote
It's a bit sparse these days, but more than a couple storefronts are occupied. There's a new cafe where new harvest used to be!
raddishes_united t1_j371ooo wrote
Impulse Hair Salon. John, the owner, best in the city as far as I’m concerned.
theovertalker t1_j34ebms wrote
Shit location.
GoxBoxSocks t1_j32zurv wrote
A recent rent increase/switch to a condo model kicked out a lot of the shops. 4/5 years ago it was a great spot to check out from time to time.
I still like Rouge Island and the Lovecraft bookstore but miss the vintage shops.