Something New

RUNNING SMOOTHLY: Greek market and café Yoleni’s co-owners Alexandra Georgiou Philippides, with her sons Jimmy Philippides, right, and John Philippides. The restaurant opened on Westminster Street in downtown Providence last spring.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Yoleni’s offers taste of Greece

Something New 11/09/2018

What does it take for a new restaurant to survive? Before anything else, hard work, says Alexandra Georgiou, who opened Yoleni’s in downtown Providence...

UPCYCLED CANDLES: WICK-ed Candle co-owners Julie Normandin and Jeremy Bliven started the candle-making company, which upcycles glass bottles for use as holders, nearly a year ago. The candles are sold through a retail space at Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, as well as a kiosk at Providence Place mall. / PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

Candle maker finds niche in bottles

Something New 11/02/2018

Julie Normandin began making candles a few years ago but it wasn’t until boyfriend Jeremy Bliven came into the picture – bringing with him...

NEIGHBORHOOD ADVOCATES: Mile of History Association board members, from left, William Deveney, treasurer; Linda Getgen, founding member; and Vincent Buonono, president, in front of 52 Benefit St. in Providence. The nonprofit was formed to advocate for the surrounding neighborhood.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Group looks to preserve historic character of Benefit Street

Something New 10/26/2018

Benefit Street in Providence is an architectural gem, a historic street that reflects the homes and businesses of the 1700s and 1800s. But it’s...

EXTRA COMFORT: North Providence resident Amy Antone, shown with her children, started the nonprofit Cuddles of Hope Foundation this past summer to donate gift bags to ailing children.  / COURTESY AMY ANTONE

Comforting kids when they need it most

Something New 10/19/2018

Amy Antone of North Providence had her first crisis as a mother this past summer. Her 3-year-old son Lucas fell and hurt his eye....

INNOVATIVE STARTUP: Johnson & Wales University graduates Brandon Monti, left, and Patrick Straus co-founded FreshConn, a farmers market delivery service in Providence, to innovate the way produce is sold, increase sales to artisan producers and decrease food insecurity.  / PBN FILE PHOTO/KATE WHITNEY LUCEY

It’s farm fresh and delivered

Something New 10/12/2018

Farmers markets offer locally grown and produced fresh produce and foods. But for those with disabilities, or a lack of transportation or free time,...

NEW FLAVORS: Nagendra Thatavarthy and his wife, Lalitha, are owners of Swagat, an Indian food store and restaurant that opened a few months ago in the Diamond Hill Road area of Woonsocket. The grocery has spices and foods and fresh produce, as well as staples. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Indian eatery adds spice to community

Something New 10/05/2018

Nagendra and Lalitha Thatavarthy opened Swagat, their Indian restaurant and specialty-food market in Woonsocket, after market research told them they had a built-in audience. More...

CUSTOM SHOP: Ben Antaya is the owner of Rome Point Woodworking in South Kingstown, a custom woodworking shop specializing in renovations and new constructions of kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces.  / COURTESY ROME POINT WOODWORKING

Woodworking made to order – and last

Something New 09/28/2018

Rome Point Woodworking specializes in renovations and new constructions of kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces. Proprietor Ben Antaya leads a team of three employees. After...

BETTER WAY: Brendan Loflin started Rhodeside Revival to make it easy for clients to divert food waste from the state’s landfill in Johnston. / PBN PHOTO/DAVID HANSEN

Curbside food-waste collection

Something New 09/21/2018

In the final year of his studies at the University of Rhode Island, Brendan Loflin wanted to do something meaningful but wasn’t sure how. “Other...

STUDENT TUTORS: Andrew Binder, left, content strategist, and Ethan Binder, co-founder, of GoPeer LLC. The Providence-based company, which launched last fall with its website, vets college students who want to tutor and connects them with families.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

At GoPeer, students do the teaching

Something New 09/14/2018

An educational technology business that launched recently in Providence follows a simple premise: students learn best from other students. GoPeer LLC provides the platform that...