James Mark - Providence Business News

NO FINES OR CITATIONS were issued under Rhode Island's mandate requiring proof of vaccination or indoor masking that was first announced by Gov. Daniel J. McKee on Dec. 15. / AP FILE PHOTO/DAVID J. PHILLIP

No citations issued under McKee masking, proof-of-vax mandate

Coronavirus 02/08/2022

PROVIDENCE – While an executive order signed by Gov. Daniel J. McKee in December empowered a task force to issue $500 fines against violators...

Does restaurants’ expanded sidewalk seating need limits?

Coronavirus 10/01/2021

Outdoor seating on sidewalks, bike lanes and city streets have helped save restaurants and bars during the pandemic, but some say it’s making it...

Are you more or less likely to eat at a restaurant...

Coronavirus 08/20/2021

Some Rhode Island restaurateurs are requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for anyone who wants to eat indoors. The moves follow similar...

Local restaurateurs split over vaccine requirements for diners

Economic Activity 08/17/2021

PROVIDENCE - The New York Times called a mere 45 minutes after Benjamin Sukle posted a new set of COVID-19-related restrictions at his downtown...

A PATIENT HOST: Erin Umbdenstock held out hope she’d get her job back when she was laid off from the Providence Marriott Downtown when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It turned out better than that for her. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Hospitality’s headache: How to attract, keep workers

Cover Story 07/09/2021

Erin Umbdenstock spent her four-month stint of unemployment trying to keep busy. She cooked and cleaned her Coventry apartment and took up several new hobbies....

PLAYING IT SAFE: As hurt as his two Providence restaurants have been by the coronavirus panademic, James Mark says he won’t open his restaurants for dine-in service until there’s a vaccine, treatment or widespread testing. / PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Are we ready? Raimondo moves ahead with reopening R.I.

Coronavirus 05/08/2020

Mounting case counts, hospitalizations and deaths. Soaring unemployment claims and nose-diving tax revenue. Mysteriously high infection rates among Latinos. No matter what part of...

BOOKS TO GO: Jennifer Kandarian, manager of Books on the Square in Providence, has opened a drive-up book drop at the back door for elderly patrons and others too nervous to walk inside the store during the COVID-19 pandemic. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Coronavirus pandemic deals sudden, crushing blow to R.I. businesses

Coronavirus 03/27/2020

Like many small businesses, Books on the Square has a manager who keeps a close eye on numbers and trends. More than three weeks...

MARIANA GONZALEZ-TRASVINA, executive chef of Bar ‘Cino has been nominated for Outstanding Rising Star Chef in the James Beard Foundation Awards. / COURTESY NEWPORT RESTAURANT GROUP

R.I. chefs nominated for James Beard Foundation Awards

Food & Agriculture 02/26/2020

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island again is well-represented in the James Beard Foundation Awards, known as the “Oscars Of The Food World.” The semifinalists in...

2 Providence restaurants among Bon Appetit’s top 50 new eateries in...

Food & Agriculture 09/11/2019

PROVIDENCE – Two Rhode Island eateries were named among Bon Appetit’s Top 50 Nominees for America’s Best New Restaurants 2019. Aleppo Sweets and Big King...