Economic development efforts continue to run full steam ahead - by Joseph Solomon

August 09, 2019 - Rhode Island
Joseph Solomon

Even as many enjoy the slower summer pace, economic development efforts in Warwick continue to run full steam ahead. In recent days, we’ve welcomed a number of new businesses to our community. 

I was recently joined by members of the City Council and our Zoning Board to celebrate a ribbon cutting with representatives of Tesla, which has opened its first Rhode Island location in our community at 399 Bald Hill Rd. The company, founded in 2003, today builds all-electric vehicles that are safe, efficient and fun to drive – and, importantly, that encourage consumers to join Tesla in its quest to help the world move to a future with zero emissions. Their vehicles and most of their components are made in Fremont, California, in a factory that prides itself on employee training and safety. Tesla also sells a number of energy-efficient products, including its Powerwall and Powerpack batteries (produced in-house), as well as solar panels and roof tiles. 

Their arrival to Warwick has been met with a great deal of excitement by our business community, residents, and people throughout Rhode Island. 

It’s also fitting that during the summer season, we are welcoming new businesses to our seaside Oakland Beach neighborhood.

On a beautiful morning, we stopped by Parkey’s Ice Cream Shop, which was recently purchased by the owners of the adjacent Fairwinds Marina. Accessible by land or by sea, Parkey’s offers ice cream cones, frappes and sundaes, made only with Warwick ice cream, which itself remains a family-run business and has been operating in our community since 1930. 

Their extensive menu features specialty flavors such as Del’s Lemon, Autocrat Coffee Milk, Moonstone Beach Vanilla, or Blizzard of ’78, along with more traditional choices as well as frozen yogurt and sherbet. With inviting, umbrella covered picnic tables and fantastic water views at their Seminole St. location, Parkey’s is a great spot to relax and enjoy a refreshing treat by the water. For more information, visit parkeysicecream.com, or email them at [email protected].

Just down the road on Bay Ave., Cozy Caterers has set up shop. The owners have transformed the building – which was originally a hotel that survived the Hurricane of ’38 – into a bright, airy venue. In addition to catering, the company runs One Bay Avenue events onsite, offering space for events such as weddings, showers, retirement parties, holiday parties, corporate events, lobster boils, birthday parties and more. The inside room can accommodate 125 guests, and up to 300 when the entire building, including the outdoor deck, is used. The company is also going to offer box lunches and hot meals by the half pan for boaters who use the nearby dock. 

For more information, visit cozycaterers.com.

We look forward to watching these exiting new ventures continue to grow and succeed in our city. 

Joseph Solomon is the mayor of Warwick.

Tags:

Comments

Add Comment