THE STORY: Ocean State Shields LP, based in Providence, was founded to help address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Co-founded by Allyson Cote and Todd Thomas, the company has developed products to safeguard environments from COVID-19, including at public places and restaurants. Among the products developed by Ocean State Shields is the Shell-ter igloo, used mainly by restaurants to help with outdoor seating.
› Ocean State Shields first made the Shell-ter in the fall of 2020. About 80 were made that year and the company anticipated that it would fabricate more than 500 units in the fourth quarter of 2021.
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› The outside-dining igloo has a 9-foot base diameter and is a four-season model that seats between four to five people. The igloos feature high sidewalls, an enormous amount of clear wall, and are built in a commercial-grade fashion, including survivability for up to 70 mph winds.
› The igloos include anchoring kits, floor mats, lighting, and provide privacy and sun shading.
› The company has six direct employees. It takes between three to four people approximately six to eight hours to make an igloo. Retail costs for the igloos start at around $1,900.
› The igloos are made of fabric components that are clear and opaque 10-year awning fabrics with stain and ultraviolet damage resistance. Hardware components are steel, polyvinyl chloride, and fiberglass and resin poles. Fabrics are sewn with commercial-grade marine threading and adhesives.
