Arcade reopening launches 11 new businesses, more to follow

BANGLES AND NECKLACES are on display at Luniac Glamour, one of 11 new shops that opened to the public at the Arcade Providence ribbon-cutting Monday morning. / PBN PHOTO/KELLY SULLIVAN
BANGLES AND NECKLACES are on display at Luniac Glamour, one of 11 new shops that opened to the public at the Arcade Providence ribbon-cutting Monday morning. / PBN PHOTO/KELLY SULLIVAN

PROVIDENCE – After five years of uncertainty and transformation, the Arcade Providence reopened to the public Monday.

Ten new shops and one restaurant began serving customers after speeches at a morning ribbon-cutting hailed the resurrection of the building – considered the oldest indoor shopping mall in the country – as a boost to the city’s Financial District.

“Today, we are injecting new life into the center of downtown,” said Evan Granoff, owner of the Arcade. “We are thrilled to do this by showcasing locally grown businesses.”

The 11 new businesses will be joined by six more on the first floor of the Arcade “in the coming months,” Granoff said.

- Advertisement -

Starting in January 2012, Granoff redeveloped the 1828 building to improve the ground floor retail spaces and turn the second and third floor commercial spaces into 48 “microloft” apartments.

There is a waiting list for the apartments, which are scheduled to open next month.

“It’s great to have the Arcade open again,” said Guy Lemoine, owner of furniture refinishing shop That Guy, one of the 11 new businesses that opened Monday. “Hopefully it will enhance local business.”

The new shops that opened this morning are Jessica Ricci Jewelry, Dash Bicycle, Arch Angels, Royal Male, New Harvest Coffee and Spirits, Southwest Passage, That Guy, Adirah Gallery, Nude, Luniac Glamour and Ntrendsic.

“As far as bike shops go, there aren’t many downtown so having this community atmosphere will help business,” said Leo Labelle, owner of Dash Bicycle. “Bike rentals are becoming more and more popular. Opening up this new shop at the Arcade will hopefully bring in more customers, especially with the surrounding hotels.”

No posts to display