Johnson & Wales University - Providence Business News

DREAM FULFILLED: Kevin Garabedian, who always wanted to have his own restaurant, and his wife, Nikki, who grew up in that atmosphere, opened Ocean & Fifth Cafe in Newport on March 1.  PBN PHOTO/CHRISTOPHER ALLEN

Local couple bringing back the heart of Newport’s Fifth Ward

Entrepreneurship 04/10/2026

Kevin and Nikki Garabedian have revitalized a Newport address that holds nostalgia for many locals. On March 1, the couple opened Ocean & Fifth Cafe,...

Cutting out food waste and dining no-shows

Dining Out 04/10/2026

There are two ways to think about food. There is food we prepare and there are meals that are prepared for us. Where food is...

Duffy stepping down as co-executive director of AS220

Art & Culture 03/27/2026

PROVIDENCE – AS220 will see changes to its leadership this summer. Shauna Duffy, who has been with AS220 for nearly 30 years, is stepping down as co-executive director...

STURDY PROTECTION: CakeSafe LLC co-owners Scott and Juli Chapin with some of their wedding cake transport boxes, which can keep cakes in place even when tipped on their side. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

When it comes to cakes, they’re very protective

Entrepreneurship 03/27/2026

Juli and Scott Chapin set out to solve a nagging problem with her wedding cake business, but the solution eventually turned into a solid...

World Cup bringing new flavors to New England

Dining Out 03/27/2026

A plethora of flavors and cultures will descend on the region from Boston to Providence this summer when the United States, Canada and Mexico...

TEACHING MOMENT: Aarin B. Clemons, second from right, workforce manager at Polaris MEP, speaks during a panel discussion about education at Providence Business News’ 2026 Workforce Development Summit on Feb. 19. Also on the panel are, from left, Henry Young, assistant provost at New England Institute of Technology; Donna Remington, senior director of experiential education and career services at Johnson & Wales University; John Olerio, executive director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives at the University of Rhode Island; Rosemary A. Costigan, president of the Community College of Rhode Island; and Katharine Amaral, director of programs and community partnerships at Junior Achievement of Rhode Island.  PBN PHOTO/MIKE SKORSKI

PBN summit: Workforce readiness starts before graduation

Economy 02/27/2026

Rhode Island’s workforce challenges are no longer confined to unemployment rates or post-pandemic churn. Instead, educators and industry leaders say the pressure point has shifted...

AN EVOLUTION: Kristen Regine, a Rhode Island College marketing professor, says colleges are adding more data courses with a focus on analytics as social media continues to gain in importance in marketing.  PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Colleges embrace creator economy curriculum

Education 02/27/2026

Ten years ago, most social media marketing education focused intensely on controlling a brand’s messaging. Today, it’s been reimagined to prepare students for “a creator...

SEWING COMMUNITY: Danielle Sturm, left, and Charlotte von Meister, co-founders and owners of The Nest PVD, said they started the Providence-based vintage boutique shop and education space centered on curated secondhand clothing, tailoring and hands-on craft education to meet people while learning together. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Creating a community through sustainable fashion

Entrepreneurship 02/13/2026

When Charlotte von Meister and Danielle Sturm launched The Nest PVD in 2021, the goal wasn’t simply to open just another clothing store. New to...

PROVIDENCE BUSINESS News’ 2026 Workforce Development Summit will be held on Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Providence Marriott.

PBN’s 2026 Workforce Development Summit slated for Feb. 19

Economic Activity 02/11/2026

PROVIDENCE – Emerging workforce trends, including the impact of technology and automation and innovative approaches to upskilling and reskilling employees, will be among the topics...