Rick Simone - Page 3 of 4 - Providence Business News

IN GOVERNOR Gina M. Raimondo's new bout of restrictions announced Thursday included early curfews for restaurants and bars. / COURTESY FEDERAL HILL COMMERCE ASSOCIATION

Restaurant, hospitality leaders criticize governor’s new business-hour restrictions

Coronavirus 11/05/2020

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo's new restrictions announced on Thursday included early curfews for restaurants and bars that industry leaders say will hurt...

Some downtown businesses take precautions ahead of election results

Elections 11/03/2020

PROVIDENCE – Months after a night of violent protests damaged some downtown businesses, a few companies were again taking precautions in anticipation of potential...

BY THE FIRE: 15 Point Road Restaurant in Portsmouth turned on the outdoor heaters in the first weekend of October. Proprietors Sean and Carly Smith said the heaters arrived after being on back order for months. / COURTESY 15 POINT ROAD RESTAURANT

Dining Out: Naysayers may be wrong

Dining Out 10/09/2020

Under normal circumstances, the restaurant industry can be tremendously exciting. Every night is a performance and a roll of the dice. Will our place...

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS: PB Bistro & Bar had been setting up tables on the sidewalk on Main Street in East Greenwich, but on Labor Day weekend the restaurant and others were allowed to move the tables to the closed street. / COURTESY PB BISTRO & BAR

Restaurants are weathering the worst

Coronavirus 09/11/2020

This summer was like no other. Across the country, sections of cities and towns were transformed into terraces and piazzas where restaurant tables migrated...

UNEXPECTED: Rick Simone, executive director of the Federal Hill Commerce Association, says restaurants at DePasquale Square in Providence were caught by surprise by the activist group PROVX’s protest on Aug. 24. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Racial-justice protests put businesses in tough spot

Food & Agriculture 09/04/2020

Tensions are mounting between activists with the Black Lives Matter movement and the small-business community. At issue is whether the disruption caused by demonstrations, and...

GOV. GINA M. RAIMONDO announced Wednesday that starting Friday, bars at restaurants must shut down by 11 p.m. / COURTESY CAPITOL TV

Roughly 90 R.I. restaurants/bars showed some noncompliance; Simone concerned about curfew

Coronavirus 08/07/2020

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island will implement its 11 p.m. shutdown for bars Friday, after Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said during her weekly COVID-19 press...

Rick Simone / PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Five Questions with: Rick Simone

5Q 07/31/2020

Rick Simone | Founder, Ocean State Coalition; executive director, Federal Hill Commerce Association 1. What exactly is the Ocean State Coalition and how and why...

BOTTLE OF VINO: Armando Bisceglia, owner of Bacco Vino & Contorni on Providence’s Federal Hill, serves wine to Sarah Long of Swansea on a Friday night. On Fridays and Saturdays, Atwells Avenue is closed to vehicle traffic so restaurateurs can set up tables outside along the street. / PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

TOURISM PIVOT: Struggling industry shifts focus closer to home

Coronavirus 07/24/2020

Ella Gonzalez is used to hearing families from faraway places bustling into the lobby of the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina during the summer....

LEMONADE FROM LEMONS: COVID-19 has curbed traffic and customers on Providence’s Federal Hill but restaurants there such as Ristorante II Massimo have fought back with Al Fresco On The Hill. / COURTESY FEDERAL HILL COMMERCE ASSOCIATION

Federal Hill restaurants offer a lesson in perseverance

Coronavirus 07/17/2020

While the immediate future for Providence’s normally thriving restaurant scene is decidedly uncertain, an experiment underway on Federal Hill offers hope – and perhaps...