Salvation Cafe

Salvation Cafe today announced on Facebook that they will close at the end of the year, “We can finally say without fear of being sued (I think) that Salvation Cafe has 3 weeks to live. It’s been the grooviest road and we are so grateful for the past 30 years of The greatest customers & staff, all of whom are family now. It’s been our privilege to rock this block since 1993. 💗”

Newport native Sue Lamond opened Salvation Cafe in 1993. Many restauranteurs and residents credit Lamond with pioneering the Broadway revitalization.

What’s Up Newp has reached out to Lamond for comment. We’ll update this story as we learn more.

According to their website, Salvation Cafe is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 11 pm.

More details to come.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).

He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.

Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.

In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.

In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.

Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.