Rick Simone - Providence Business News

THE CROWDS that showed up at previous PVDFests downtown didn't materialize this year at the 195 District Park, in part because of miserable weather. But some say the festival needs to move back to downtown. / COURTESY PVDFEST

Figuring out the future of PVDFest

Editor's Choice 09/22/2023

PVDFest will return next year, but Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley's administration is beginning the process of figuring out what it will look like...

REACTIONS TO THIS PAST weekend's PVDFest remain mixed, with some community members feel the lack of activity downtown impacted both the event and businesses. / COURTESY PVDFEST

After weekend festival, emotions on PVDFest remain mixed

Art & Culture 09/12/2023

PROVIDENCE – PVDFest this past weekend, according to some business leaders, was a tale of two cities. After several changes were made, including moving PVDFest...

PVDFEST IS SHIFTING this year from being downtown to along the Providence River. While Mayor Brett P. Smiley's office is saying the changes are more to focus on the local arts community, local business owners say the location change and prohibition of block parties will hurt them economically. / COURTESY PVDFEST

Is change a good thing for PVDFest? Some say no

Government 06/13/2023

PROVIDENCE – A citywide event that normally brings the community together to welcome in the summer and celebrate local artists has now raised some...

Al fresco, food truck dining are back

Dining Out 06/09/2023

The outdoor dining season has gotten underway in fine fashion. The Memorial Day weekend brought spectacular weather to Rhode Island, and terraces, sidewalks, decks...

Federal Hill preps for Al Fresco dining

Hospitality & Tourism 05/26/2023

PROVIDENCE- What has become a summertime culinary tradition, Al Fresco on the Hill is returning to historic Federal Hill on Saturday. Through Sept. 2,...

Federal Hill Al Fresco dining downsized

Hospitality & Tourism 02/23/2023

PROVIDENCE – The Federal Hill Commerce Association last week approved a reduction to Al Fresco on the Hill outdoor dining for the upcoming season, limiting the...

GOING UP: Michelle Murphy, owner of Roots Hair Salon LLC in Cranston, works on Talias Oakane of Cranston. Murphy says she may have to raise the rent she charges her stylists, who recently raised their prices due to the increased cost of products, because her monthly payment to rent the building space for the salon recently increased. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

More businesses struggle with their rent payments

Economy 12/09/2022

When Michelle Murphy renewed her lease recently for a 5,000-square-foot beauty salon she rents in Cranston, there was some bad news that came with...

Hospitality industry tries to counter labor shortage

Focus 06/24/2022

Michael Costantino struggled to fill two full-time cook positions in May for his restaurant Costantino’s Venda Bar & Ristorante on Providence’s Federal Hill. He...