A new commemorative holiday ornament honoring soldiers from the nation’s first integrated military regiment is now available from Rhode Island’s semiquincentennial commission. Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, who chairs the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial 250th Commission, announced Friday the release of the 2025 limited-edition ornament featuring the First Rhode Island Regiment. The ornament depicts six […]
Style & Shop
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Chamber announces holiday events, including Santa’s boat arrival
The Jamestown Chamber of Commerce has announced its lineup of holiday events for 2025, featuring a red ticket promotion, holiday stroll and visits with Santa. Beginning Thursday, Nov. 28, participating retailers and restaurants will distribute a red ticket for every $50 spent in Jamestown Village. At restaurants, red tickets are awarded for gift card purchases […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Historical Society to launch holiday market at Colony House
The Newport Historical Society will debut a holiday market at the Colony House on Friday, opening a new seasonal shopping destination in one of the city’s most historic buildings. The market will run through Dec. 31, operating Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday until 6 p.m. “The Holiday […]
Posted inInstagram, Nonprofit, Style & Shop
Rogers High School class of 2026 to hold t-shirt sale Oct. 24
The Rogers High School Class of 2026 will host a T-shirt sale on Friday, Oct. 24, on the school’s front steps from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a collaborative design with local surf brand Waterbrothers. The fundraiser is made possible through The BonRock Foundation, established by the Kilroy family in memory of their mother, […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Style & Shop, Things To Do
IYRS to host Holly Jolly Weekend holiday festivities in December
IYRS School of Technology & Trades will kick off the holiday season with its Holly Jolly Weekend, featuring a community holiday party and artisan market in early December. The IYRS Community Holiday Party will take place Friday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by the Artisan Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 6, from […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Luxury fashion and skincare pop-up coming to Newport this month
Sandee Saunders is bringing a touch of luxury to Newport with an exclusive three-day pop-up event showcasing high-end fashion and Swiss skincare later this month. The Creative Director of SandeeGLAM CONCEPTS, who also serves as Brand Ambassador and Business Manager for Bellefontaine Switzerland, is partnering with celebrated fashion designers Michael and Alex Toccin of the […]
Posted inStyle & Shop, Things To Do
Unwanted student ‘treasures’ help stock largest yard sale on Aquidneck Island
The 20th Annual Ramleh Benefit Yard Sale will take place at St. George’s School’s Cabot-Harman Ice Center, 384 Purgatory Road, Middletown, on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. This event is free and open to the public. A public presale event will be held on Friday, July 6, 2025, from 3:30-5:30 […]
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Luxury Meets Seaside Chic: Fashion Pop-Up coming to The Chanler at Cliff Walk in June
The Chanler at Cliff Walk is gearing up for a Mediterranean-inspired fashion pop-up on June 27 and 28. The event will showcase curated women’s wear from independent designers. Teaming up with luxury women’s boutique Nocca, the hotel is transforming its Cliff Lawn into a seaside shopping haven. Both guests and locals can browse a collection […]
Posted inBusiness
Big Weather Gear officially opens on Thames Street
Newport’s retail landscape has a new—but familiar—face. Local entrepreneur and longtime Thames Street fixture Jay Lasky has launched Big Weather Gear, a fresh retail concept rooted in his decades-long passion for outdoor and marine apparel. This new venture brings together top performance brands and lifestyle wear under one roof, offering something for everyone who lives, […]
Posted inColumns
Michele Gallagher: It takes a matriarchal village to make a shop feel like a home
May is busting out all over! And we couldn’t be happier. As the founder of ThamesGiving in Newport, I’ve had the joy of connecting with many savvy, creative business owners across the Thames Street District. One thing that stands out is how many of these businesses are run by mother-daughter duos and trios! For this […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Charter Books to celebrate 4th birthday on Independent Bookstore Day, Saturday, April 26
A nationwide celebration of all things literary is returning to Newport on April 26. Independent Bookstore Day honors bookstores across the country annually on the final Friday in April with exclusive books, contests, author appearances, and special treats for visitors. We spoke to Steve Iwanski at Charter Books in Newport to learn more about what […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Artists Collective and University Orthopedics collaborate to showcase local art in Middletown facility
The Newport Artists Collective (NAC) has announced a partnership with University Orthopedics to exhibit NAC members’ artwork in the newly opened 10,000-square-foot facility located at 34 Valley Road, Middletown. This collaboration aims to enhance the healing environment for patients and staff by integrating local art into the medical setting. The spacious facility offers the potential […]
Posted inBusiness
Helly Hansen to open new flagship store in Newport
Helly Hansen, a leading global sailing and outdoor brand, is set to open a new flagship store in Newport in March 2025. The store, located at 124 Thames Street (formerly a Banana Republic), will offer a broader range of technical sailing apparel and footwear, as well as marine lifestyle, winter sports, and outdoor products. The […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island Semiquincentennial 250th Commission releases commemorative holiday ornament
Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore, chair of the Rhode Island Semiquincentennial 250th Commission (RI250), today announced the release of the 2024 semiquincentennial commemorative holiday ornament, now available at the RI State House Visitor Center and Gift Shop. This year’s limited-edition ornament highlights Rhode Island’s founding principle of religious freedom, featuring four iconic landmarks: The First […]
Posted inFood & Drink
RI craft brewery holiday ales are out – Narragansett’s Bing Crosby Winter Warmer leads the way
Cold temps got you down? Well, it’s the time of the year to enjoy a rich, delicious winter holiday ale at a local craft brewery. Several breweries around the state are serving up some tasty brews, mostly limited annual runs, so get there soon! Holiday ales tend to be on the sweet side, and many […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rogers High School to host 3rd Annual Holiday Craft Fair
The Rogers High School Holiday Craft & Artisan Fair is set to return for its third year on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The event, sponsored by the RHS Class of 2026, will take place at Rogers High School from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This seasonal celebration of creativity and craftsmanship aims to showcase a […]
Posted inThings To Do
Long Wharf Mall welcomes holiday season with tree lighting and Santa visit on Nov. 30
The Shops at Long Wharf Mall will kick off the holiday season in style on Nov. 30 with a tree-lighting ceremony and an appearance by Santa. From 4 to 6 pm, visitors can enjoy the dazzling display as the Long Wharf Christmas Tree lights up the night. Santa and his helper will be on hand […]
Posted inArts & Culture
More than twenty local artists participating in Save The Bay’s ‘Artists for The Bay’ virtual sale
Just in time for the holiday season, Save The Bay’s Artists for the Bay Sale has announced the launch of its annual virtual fundraiser, Artists for the Bay, which showcases local art and supports coastal conservation. The online art sale will run from November 15 through December 31, 2024. In celebration of Narragansett Bay’s beauty […]
Posted inArts & Culture
IYRS School of Technology & Trades to host ‘Holly Jolly Weekend’
IYRS School of Technology & Trades has announced that it will host its Holly Jolly Weekend on Dec. 6-7, 2024. The weekend kicks off with the IYRS Community Holiday Party on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 p.m, in Restoration Hall at IYRS. The weekend continues with the IYRS Artisan Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. […]
Posted inBusiness
Jewelry designer Carolyn Rafaelian partners with Snoop Dogg for new brand
Carolyn Rafaelian, the renowned jewelry designer and founder of Metal Alchemist, is teaming up with rapper Snoop Dogg to launch a new fine jewelry brand called Lovechild. The collaboration, facilitated by Larry Jackson of gamma., aims to create jewelry that goes beyond aesthetics to serve as a source of empowerment for wearers. Lovechild is described […]
Posted inBusiness
Yacht Club introduces ‘Sour Grapes’ soda based on comic strip from cartoonist Tim Jones
In an unlikely collaboration, a popular comic strip from local cartoonist (and What’s Up Newp contributor) Tim Jones is now a tasty beverage from a local business. Perhaps not so unlikely, when you hear the details. If you haven’t read it here on What’s Up Newp, where Jones’ strip runs weekly, Sour Grapes centers around […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Roslovic, Svechnikov each score twice to help the Hurricanes rout the Bruins 8-2
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Jack Roslovic and Andrei Svechnikov each scored twice and the Carolina Hurricanes returned home for the first time in more than two weeks to rout the Boston Bruins 8-2 on Thursday night for their fifth straight victory. Carolina scored three times in a 52-second span in its four-goal first period. Martin […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport City Council to consider resolution that would help small businesses this holiday season
A new resolution to support local retail businesses during the holiday shopping season is on the agenda for the Newport City Council meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Several city councilors are behind this proposal, which aims to encourage shopping in Newport, especially in areas with smaller, boutique shops. These local businesses often struggle to compete […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Arnya Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner’s championship kits on display at the International Tennis Hall of Fame
Autographed Nike apparel from both champions from the US Open sit alongside the apparel worn by Sabalenka and Sinner during their title runs at the Australian Open at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For the first time since 1988, when Hall of Famers Mats Wilander and Steffi Graf prevailed, the men’s and women’s singles champions […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Portsmouth author explores grief and transformation in ‘Leah Is A Dragonfly Now’
A new picture book from Portsmouth author Sarah McLean will tell the story of a friendship that was built after a tragic accident. “Leah Is A Dragonfly Now” is a moving story that deals with grief and loss. The book is based on the award-winning short film “Dragonfly,” and it follows the story of two […]