Newport Then & Now: Lower Thames “The Court End of Town”

Take a look at how Lower Thames has changed over the years.

The Southern Thames Street Neighborhood Arriving in Newport between 1820 and 1920, the Irish population provided an important source of labor for the neighborhood’s mills and industries, also building and founding local businesses. According to Between the Golden Age and the Gilded Age: A History of the Southern Thames Street Neighborhood, the resulting commercial and residential neighborhood was not only a vibrant immigrant community, but also an important factor in the development of Newport’s reputation as the “Queen of Resorts.” To be specific, the Southern Thames Street Neighborhood was located on the west side of Newport and occupied the southern half of its harbor. Drawing its name from a one-mile section of Thames Street, the …

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Love Thy Neighbor - Shop Local

Let's talk local!

What Are Newport Artists Selling On Etsy.com?

See what some of these creative folks from Newport are selling online in their shops on Etsy.com.

A number of Newport artists are among the thousands of people who sell hand-made crafts and other items on Etsy.com - and if one of your New Year's resolutions is to shop locally, there might be some great finds here. Take a look at what some talented city residents have come up with. Sue Gray Jewelry has a variety of custom-made hand cast wax seal jewelry. The Medieval wax seals date back to the 13th and 14th centuries. The BohemianGirl Vintage shop is "Part peasant, part Czch, part goddess rock chic the BohemianGirlVintage fuses in luxury elements, folk look of the 70’s and rock-chic attitude." Featured ites include necklaces, bracelets and accessories.  Savoir Faire Hats owner Ann McMahon sells one-of-a-kind hats and headpieces. McMahon…

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Share Your Small Business Saturday Deals with Patch

Newport Patch is compiling a list of Small Business Saturday deals. Share yours here.

Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 24 this year, two days after Thanksgiving. It is a day for everyone to support the small businesses their community thrives on. This year, Newport Patch is putting together a list of local Small Business Saturday deals. If you are a small business owner, leave your deal in the comments section below, and it will be added to the list. You can also email your deal to newport@patch.com or send a message on Facebook. American Express founded the day in 2010 to help small businesses get exposure during the holiday season, when they might be otherwise overlooked. With retailers buzzing around the holidays, it is important to support local small businesses that rely on their neighbors in order to continue …

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New Candy Store Satisfies Locals' Sweet Tooth

Sugar High opened in Middletown earlier this month.

Alan and Cynthia Levenson, owners of the new candy shop Sugar High, located in the Home Depot plaza on West Main Road, have been satisfying sweet tooths for 35 years. “I used to be young,” joked Mr. Levenson when he reflected how long he has been in the candy business.    He said when he first started a shop that offered tubes of candy, self-service was still a new concept. Although it is common to find in stores today, prepackaged sweets and bars were once the only option.   “People would drive hours just to see it,” said Levenson.    Four years ago, the Levensons moved to Portsmouth from southern California for their children’s school, Aquidneck Island Christian Academy. They opened a candy airplane-shaped kiosk at TF Green Airport to …

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Ebenezer Flaggs Fly Over Newport

Named after a Revolutionary War hero, Newport's flag company continues quality work.

For being named one of Newport's "Best Kept Secrets" by Newport Life Magazine, Ebenezer Flagg Co. can be seen leaving it's mark all around town. Their customized and hand-made flags fly on the main streets around Newport for many local businesses. According to Bert Duguay, the co-owner of the Ebenezer Flagg Co., old Ebenezer was an American Revolutionary War hero from Newport. When Leo Waring, founder of the company, started the business in 1975 for the bicentennial, he wanted a name that both recalled Newport’s history and reflected his trade. Flagg was the obvious fit.  Duguay himself signed on as a summer worker. More than 30 years later he owns the shop and said still loves what he does. His partner, Tina Croce, joined the company in …

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