Visions for Vacancies: Metro PCS

If you could fill the space, what would you like it to be?

Metro PCS, a cell phone service service provider, has packed up and left its Broadway location vacant. The store, located across from City Hall at 70 Broadway, is now for lease.  Broadway is in the midst of being revitalized and has seen several new businesses spring up recently, including Malt and Bistro 162. What do you think should go here? Leave your suggestions in the comments.  About this column: We'll periodically post a picture of a empty storefront or vacant building around Newport. It's up to you to tell us what should be there!  

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RIHNPT

7:30 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013

Thankfully, Patch removed the fraudulent postings by the Rick imposter!   more ›

Teas and Javas to Replace People's Cafe

The Alex and Ani owned company recently purchased People's Cafe.

In a deal that closed on the last day of 2012, Teas and Javas bought People’s Café on Thames Street. Come tourist season, the new shop will open across the street from its parent company Alex and Ani. While there are no official dates yet, Teas and Javas is expected to open around Memorial Day. Teas and Javas has also opened up shop in Wayland Square in Providence and Chapel View in Cranston. Both have Alex and Ani stores nearby. Alex and Ani CEO Giovanni Feroce said bringing Teas and Javas to Newport, in such close proximity to the flagship Alex and Ani location, was a natural progression for the brand. “People’s is a beautiful setting,” he said, adding that the benefit of turning People’s Café into Teas and Javas was that they did not …

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Do You Own a Business in Newport? Claim Your Listing on Patch

If you don't see your listing, contact newport@patch.com and we'll get you set up right away.

Do you own a business in Oswego? Have you seen your listing in the Newport Patch directory? We’ve compiled what we hope is a comprehensive directory of businesses ranging from restaurants and stores to local government offices. Each listing has some general info and pictures of the business — but if you own or manage the business, you can claim the listing. Claiming the listing will give you more administrative access, so you can add photos, details we may have missed and other information. It's like your own personal web space on Patch, where thousands of people will see it each month. Plus, if we mention your business in a story the first place we link to is your directory listing so you want it to be full of up-to-date information and …

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What Newport Business Were You Sad to See Close in 2012?

In a city like Newport, businesses come and go all the time. Tell us which ones you were sad to see go in the comments section below.

With several business openings around town, 2012 was certainly a busy year for Newport.  Over the past year, places like El Perrito, Andria Bird Bride and Hawaiian Jim's opened their doors for business, while others closed for good.   As our What Should Go Here? feature shows, there are still plenty of empty storefronts in the city. TELL US: What Newport business(es) were you sad to see close in 2012? Share with us in the comments section below. 

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Shop Crush: Picklee on Spring

New design/decor shop on Spring Street in Newport.

Directory Spotlight - Green Envy Boutique

Weigh in on this local business by rating it and giving a review.

What Business Would You Open in Newport?

Your imagination is the only limit, what would you open in Newport?

Imagine you had the tools and resources at your disposal - what business would you like to open in Newport?  What would work in the community? Here were some ideas from the  Newport Patch Facebook page. Kimberly Santos A co-op healing center. Dan Coleman An awesome food truck. Middletown/Newport/Portsmouth Geoff Cook a proper fish and chip shop! Caroline Monahon Whole foods. Niko Merritt Bowling alley, laser tag or some other place where families can go to have fun. There is not much to do around here. Susan Donnelly-Whitlock Indoor water park Michelle Zawacki McManus Chipotle, Trader Joe's and Target

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Empire Pioneers Artisan Coffee on Aquidneck Island

The coffee shop has exposed its clientele to high quality, artisan coffee.

The folks at Empire Tea and Coffee take their brew seriously, which is why the coffee shop is offering an experience that can only be found locally at 22 Broadway. For the last few months, Empire has introduced one of its newest additions: an artisan coffee bar. Empire owner C.J. Barone said the brew bar is his favorite recent addition to the ever-expanding coffee shop. The bar itself is a custom handmade piece made from reclaimed wood direct from Connecticut farm. The counter is made of 170-year-old oak and is supported by 150-year-old pine. At the bar, employees who have been specially trained in the art of brewing use one of seven different brew methods. The methods start off simply, like the pour-over technique or the aeropress. The …

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Newport Cookie Company Moves to Thames Street

The cookie shop is moving from Spring Wharf to Thames Street.

The Newport City Council approved a business license for the Newport Cookie Company at 471 Thames St during its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday night.  Newport Cookie Company was previously located around the corner at 4 Spring Wharf. The shop is currently looking for full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees. Call 401-619-5571 for more information. 

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PHOTOS: Spring has Sprung on Aquidneck Island!

On the official first day of spring, local businesses prepared for the upcoming season.

Despite uncharacteristically warm temperatures this winter, spring has officially sprung! Although there might not be a difference in the temperature, the official start of a new season had small businesses around Middletown bustling with excitement on Tuesday. Lori Scionti, the Horticulture Director at the Maher Garden Center on Aquidneck Avenue, announced that pansies have arrived. “It’s the first sign of spring,” she said as she worked outdoors.  Vlad Dayagdag of North Providence and Marga Larson of Portsmouth enjoyed burgers on the deck of Easton’s Point Pub and Restaurant, which opened its outdoor seating Tuesday. Across the street at KJ's Pub, contractors worked in short sleeved shirts to prepare their brick deck for outdoor seating …

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