PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Small Business Shopping Village at Providence Place mall generated more than $75,000 in sales and attracted approximately 5,000 visitors since opening in June, highlighting what organizers say is the growing impact of supporting local entrepreneurs through retail opportunities.
The marketplace, launched by Skills for Rhode Island’s Future and presented by Centreville Bank, transformed three first-floor storefronts at Providence Place into a showcase for Rhode Island-based businesses. The initiative was scheduled to remain open through Aug. 30.
During its first six weeks, the village featured 54 Rhode Island small businesses, including 44 women-owned businesses and 43 minority-owned businesses.
Organizers said the marketplace also helped employ 24 people, including young workers and individuals who were previously unemployed or underemployed. More than 1,000 products were sold to over 725 customers.
“What started as an opportunity to make sure Rhode Island small businesses benefited from an extraordinary summer has become something much bigger,” Nina Pande, executive director of Skills for Rhode Island’s Future, said in a statement. “The sales matter, but so do the thousands of people who walked through the doors, discovered a business they had never encountered before and made a connection with a local entrepreneur.”
The village was created to give local entrepreneurs access to a high-traffic retail environment and help them reach new customers. Participating businesses represent industries that include apparel, jewelry, food, wellness, art and handcrafted goods. Many of the businesses typically operate online, from home or through temporary pop-up events.
Paola Fernandez, senior vice president of community development at Centreville Bank, said the initiative demonstrates how access to retail space and customer traffic can help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
“The results from the RI Small Business Village demonstrate what is possible when businesses are given access to the right space, resources and exposure,” Fernandez said in a statement. “We are incredibly proud of what these entrepreneurs have accomplished this summer.”
Organizers said they are exploring future opportunities to build on the program’s success, including potential holiday markets, seasonal pop-ups and other short-term retail experiences for Rhode Island entrepreneurs.
The initiative received support from Centreville Bank, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, The Washington Trust Co., BankNewport, Bristol County Savings Bank, R.I. Commerce Corp. and the city of Providence.
Veer Mudambi is the special projects editor at Providence Business News and covers the nonprofit and education sectors. He can be reached at mudambi@pbn.com.
