A Celebration of Vision and Place
Karen Pinelli is enjoying her second act. And she has created the perfect backdrop: an 1850 historic building overlooking Washington Square in the heart of Newport. Pinelli was a sales executive in Boston for more than 30 years, working in the HR & Employee Benefits industry. As she helped her corporate clients solve their HR issues throughout the years, she became inspired to someday be an entrepreneur. The question was always “But doing what?”
Nearly a decade ago, she began exploring beyond the Bay State, seeking a new chapter both professionally and personally. Her wish list included long walks, proximity to the ocean, enjoying a vibrant social circle, and a thriving business climate. A friend who lives in Newport encouraged her to check out the City-by-the-Sea. Pinelli was instantly smitten and began the search for real estate – trusting that her next professional chapter would reveal itself.
Hard Work and Good Karma Pay Off
As luck would have it, 39 Touro Street hit the market. Once a historic inn that had fallen into disrepair, it also needed a new chapter. Still, to Pinelli, the bones of this beautiful old building held promise, and the outdoor courtyard overlooking historic Washington Square held undeniable charm. After researching the local market, Pinelli recognized an opportunity: While Newport has plenty of small and large hotels, it lacked small-to-mid-size independent private spaces for weddings, showers, corporate entertaining, private dinners, musical gatherings, and other special events.
Her vision became clear – she would preserve this historic property and make it available for others to enjoy and make memories of their own.
Patience is a virtue. It took Pinelli six years to renovate the building and courtyard, secure all the necessary permits, and open as a bona fide private event space two years ago. During the pandemic, she did much of the interior work herself and sometimes camped out in a small back room to get away from the construction debris.
An Ecclesiastical Provenance
The building was built 175 years ago as the rectory for the Zion Episcopal Church next door, which is currently the Jane Pickens Theater. There are still artifacts and details, and even a closed-off passageway, from the building’s original purpose as a rectory. Over the years, in addition to being an inn, the building accommodated a school, a knitting shop, offices, and some retail businesses.
“The columns, windows in the event space, stone stairs, and architectural details are all original,” Pinelli shared. “When I see old photographs of the building from the late 1800s, it looks pretty much the same as it does now, but it’s a lot more dressed up now.” Pinelli has had fun spotting her building as the backdrop for major Hollywood films filmed in Washington Square, such as Amistad and Hocus Pocus 2.
A French-Inspired Escape in Newport
The name Provence sur Mer (or Provence-by-the-Sea) was inspired by the elegant iron gate guests walk through when they enter the dramatic courtyard. The gate’s origin, which Pinelli installed, is indeed Provence, France, so she drew the name of her business from that lucky antique find. Plus, the name derives from the ambience she sought to create, which exemplifies French-inspired simple elegance mixed with historic, coastal charm.
From a business perspective, Pinelli credits her high-level engagement with the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce and the resources that the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has provided her, free of charge. “Paul Harden, our regional director of the RI SBDC, and his team have been so instrumental in helping me get up and running as a business. We are so fortunate that Rhode Island offers so many resources for small business owners.”
In addition to private celebrations like weddings and Passover dinners, Provence sur Mer has hosted poetry readings, dance performances, the Puddingstone Festival, and the Broadway Street Fair’s Beer Garden. This week, she is installing a lovely wooden pergola over the bar area, which will serve as a centerpiece for outdoor events this summer.
Pinelli lives on the property and often greets and welcomes passers-by who are curious about the venue. She has made so many new friendships through that authentic Belle Époque gate.
Pinelli truly loves her new home and being a small business owner. “I always enjoy the opportunity to show Provence sur Mer to locals, visitors, and friends. I cherish each day of my life in this amazing City-by-the-Sea, and I especially enjoy the opportunity to provide the setting that creates so many memories for my clients and friends!” Pinelli added, “Newport is magical, and I am so grateful to have found an amazing building with such potential. This wonderful piece of Newport’s history is now Provence sur Mer – a space for a most unique and memorable experience for celebrations!”
To find out more about Provence sur Mer, email info@provencesurmer.com or visit www.provencesurmer.com.
Michele Gallagher is a dedicated supporter of local businesses, and the founder of City-by-the-Sea Communications.