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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.

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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.

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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.

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Kelruss t1_j32zs80 wrote

Replying to PawtucketPatriot (#1,289,057)

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.

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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.

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bungocheese t1_j331l66 wrote

I was there like 2 weeks ago and don't recall it being super empty.

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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.

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iandavid t1_j336in5 wrote

I wish there was still a Spike’s in there 😭

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JasonDJ t1_j339zyp wrote

Replying to realbadaccountant (#1,289,634)

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.

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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.

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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.

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emd3737 t1_j33vxmy wrote

I get my hair cut at a salon there. Wish there were more open shops, it's a cute building

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Dinosquid t1_j3494rv wrote

Said to be the oldest? Said to be???

Say it’s the oldest or fight Vinny Paz!!

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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...

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JasonDJ t1_j357ac7 wrote

Replying to AkaCassius (#1,292,744)

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.

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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.

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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.

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radarmy t1_j36m66c wrote

Does anyone here live in those condos, I am curious how that all works. Is there a HOA situation?

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raddishes_united t1_j371ooo wrote

Impulse Hair Salon. John, the owner, best in the city as far as I’m concerned.

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Oblivious-abe-69 t1_j383jci wrote

It’s wild how dead that small is. You’ll see like 5 ppl tops in there

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huron9000 t1_j386puf wrote

Replying to Kelruss (#1,289,191)

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.

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Kelruss t1_j39ak0e wrote

Replying to huron9000 (#1,297,165)

> 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.

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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!

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nopurposeflour t1_j4fsa78 wrote

Replying to Oblivious-abe-69 (#1,366,261)

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.

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