It’s the perfect time of year to get out of the house and enjoy the award-winning restaurants in and around Providence! Providence Restaurant Weeks is back January 26 – February 8, featuring over 60 dining options from Providence, Warwick, South Kingstown and beyond. Brought to you by the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB), […]
Business
A look at What’s Up in business in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inArts & Culture
Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of […]
Posted inBusiness
Triple Espresso Order: Grafik Coffee has three plans to expand this spring
Grafik Coffee used to be a Subway, and before that, an ice cream shop. The building on East Main Road that has seen the rise and fall of other businesses has become the prime location for a hip coffee joint in Portsmouth. After just over one year of being in business, the community support Grafik […]
Posted inBusiness
What’sUpNewp acquires social media assets of Portsmouth Press to expand coverage in Portsmouth
What’sUpNewp, a trusted local, independent online news source serving Newport County and Rhode Island since 2012, over the weekend, acquired the social media assets of Portsmouth Press. Portsmouth Press, founded by Sandy McGee, served the community of Portsmouth from 2016 – 2022. The move aims to enhance What’sUpNewp’s presence in Portsmouth and further its mission […]
Posted inCity & Government
2025 New England Economic Outlook ‘Modestly Optimistic’
The outlook for the New England economy in 2025 is “modestly optimistic,” according to a series of reports released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston over the last several days. That projection comes with some trepidation about “how national economic policies might change and where long-term interest rates would land.” The Federal Reserve Bank’s […]
Posted inBusiness
Sly Fox Den Too forced to close Charlestown location
The award-winning Sly Fox Den Too restaurant in Charlestown is set to close its doors this Sunday due to an ongoing dispute with the property’s landlord. Chef Sherry Pocknett, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and recipient of the 2023 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northeast, announced the closure in a Facebook post […]
Posted inBusiness
The Ben Willett Team joins RE/MAX Results: A major move in Rhode Island real estate
The highly accomplished Ben Willett Team has officially joined forces with RE/MAX Results. This move signifies a powerful collaboration that will elevate the local real estate landscape in Newport County and across the Ocean State. This alignment brings together market expertise, innovative real property strategies, and a shared commitment to client success. “We are thrilled […]
Posted inBusiness
Middletown Town Council gives green light to mobile sauna at Surfer’s End
A new attraction is coming to Sachuest Beach/Second Beach, in Middletown. The Town Council conditionally approved on January 6 a mobile sauna and cold plunge experience, set to operate now through April 20. Ellery Sparkman, the project’s mastermind, plans to set up shop in the Surfer’s End parking lot, taking up one or two spaces. […]
Posted inBusiness
Grenon’s of Newport named Title Sponsor for the 2025 Newport Night Run
The 10th Annual Newport Night Run and Gray Matter Marketing has announced Grenon’s of Newport as the event’s new title sponsor for 2025. Set to take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, proceeds from the event benefit the Newport Public Education Foundation. Since its inception, the Grenon’s Newport Night Run has helped the NPEF raise more than […]
Posted inBusiness
Middletown-based Haven launches franchising program for family-centered spaces
Haven, a pioneer in family care services, has announced the launch of its nationwide franchising program. The company, which combines childcare, workspace, and fitness under one roof, aims to bring its unique offering to families across the United States. The franchising initiative comes as Haven seeks to expand its innovative model that has already proven […]
Posted inBusiness
Foodlove Market to close, Newport Restaurant Group plans new concept
Newport Restaurant Group announced the permanent closure of Foodlove Market, set for January 25. The market, which opened in August 2021, will cease operations despite growing year-over-year sales and strong community support. In a statement posted on social media and the company’s website, Newport Restaurant Group explains the decision stems from “unsustainable losses” despite the […]
Posted inBusiness
The Heritage Restaurant Group officially closes on The Red Parrot Restaurant
The Heritage Restaurant Group today announced the completion of its acquisition of The Red Parrot restaurant. The transaction was first announced in October 2024 and officially closed yesterday, January 10, 2025. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. As part of the transition, Russ and EstherDulac, The Red Parrot’s previous owners, will remain with the restaurant, as consultants, to ensure operational […]
Posted inBusiness
Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island acquires Outer Light Brewing Company
Today, Westerly-based Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island (Grey Sail) and Groton, Connecticut-based Outer Light Brewing Company (Outer Light) jointly announced a formal partnership. “Grey Sail’s acquisition of Outer Light enhances the Westerly brewery’s regional portfolio of craft beer and spirits,” Grey Sail says in a press release. “This acquisition represents the union of two brands committed to the local […]
Posted inBusiness
Plan for stricter lobster fishing rules scrapped amid strong opposition from lobstermen
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Fishing regulators on Friday scrapped a plan for stricter fishing rules amid concerns about a decline in baby lobsters in the warming waters off New England. The regulators were looking to institute a new rule that fishermen need to abide by a larger minimum size for the lobsters they trap. The change is […]
Posted inJobs
Newport Mental Health to host Midwinter Veterans Resource Fair
Newport Mental Health is proud to announce the Midwinter Veterans Resource Fair taking place on January 16 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the CCRI Newport Campus Atrium, located at 1 John H. Chafee Blvd., Newport. This free event is open to all veterans and their families and aims to connect attendees with a […]
Posted inBusiness
Pivotal Brewing Company plans to open in former Salvation Cafe
Pivotal Brewing Company, an award-winning brewery in Bristol, announced plans to open a second location in Newport this morning. According to a post on Instagram, the brewery will open at 140 Broadway, formerly Cabana and Salvation Cafe. “We’re thrilled to announce that Pivotal’s second location is coming to Broadway in Newport, RI this spring! We’ll […]
Posted inJobs
Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of […]
Posted inBusiness
Heritage Hotel Group to acquire Vanderbilt hotel
The Heritage Hotel Group is acquiring the historic Vanderbilt hotel, according to The Providence Journal. The Heritage Hotel Group shares ownership with the Heritage Restaurant Group, Audrain Hospitality, and Audrain Automobile Museum. Reporting from a press release, The Providence Journal shares that Auberge Resorts Collection will still manage the hotel, which is located at 41 […]
Posted inBusiness
Aurelia at Castle Hill earns coveted AAA Five Diamond rating
Aurelia at Castle Hill in Newport has earned the coveted AAA Five Diamond designation, placing it among the top restaurants known for exceptional dining. The AAA Diamond Program added Aurelia to its Five Diamond list on December 30, 2024. It’s one of just eight new restaurants to receive this honor this year. Having opened in […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Heritage Restaurant Group to acquire Caleb & Broad
The Heritage Restaurant Group has agreed to acquire Caleb & Broad, adding to its expanding roster of Newport establishments. The news was first reported by The Providence Journal/The Newport Daily News at 5:07 am on Saturday, December 28. Rich Willis, who founded Caleb & Broad a decade ago, will remain involved in the restaurant’s operations. […]
Posted inBusiness
Boat House Restaurant and Tiverton Police collect over 200 toys for local children
The Boat House Restaurant in Tiverton recently teamed up with local police for a great cause. They collected toys for kids in need through the Operation Blue Santa Toy Drive, gathering over 200 gifts. On December 10, the restaurant (part of the Newport Restaurant Group) hosted a special event. Guests who brought a new, unwrapped […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Movies and TV shows casting in Rhode Island
The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying their dues and honing their craft in pursuit of a sustainable career or a fulfilling sideline. Submitting to casting calls is a big part of […]
Posted inBusiness
Carpionato still interested in developing Casino property
Since the Carpionato Group purchased the 23.5-acre former Newport Casino more than six years ago, a lot has happened — a pandemic, a moratorium on North End development in the city of Newport. And it was followed by just months after Carpionato’s purchase of 29 former Bennys stores. Carpionato had proposed a $100 million development […]
Posted inBusiness
BankRI’s Holiday Giving Tree collects nearly 7,000 gifts for children in need
BankRI’s Holiday Giving Tree program continues to make a big impact, collecting 6,944 gifts for kids across Rhode Island who might otherwise go without this holiday season. Now in its 27th year, the program has expanded its reach to Middletown and Newport. Local branches gathered 336 presents for children supported by the Boys & Girls […]