Business is booming with arrival of diverse array of companies - by Frank Picozzi

The pace of life may generally slow down a bit during the “dog days of summer,” but business has been booming in Warwick with the arrival of a diverse array of companies to the community.

The Berry Joint, located at 2424 West Shore Rd., is bringing more healthy options to Warwick. Family owned and operated, The Berry Joint’s menu offers a tempting array of Acai bowls, real fruit smoothies, salads, cold-pressed juices, and cold-pressed juice shots. 

Over at 465 Warwick Ave., there’s a different type of culinary experience for one’s taste buds at the new Neza Mexican Restaurant. The owners are proud of their ability to bring authentic Mexican flavor to their menu, which includes mouth-watering appetizers like camarones puercos, tamales, and elotes, as well as salads and soups. Enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, carne asada, molcajete, arroz con pollo, and salmon a lo Delgado are among the plentiful options available for lunch and dinner. Signature desserts and an extensive drink menu are also offered at Neza.

But Warwick’s not just all about great restaurants – with its central location in the heart of southern New England and easy on/off access to I-95 and I-295, it’s a great location for any number of business ventures, including those serving the traveling public. 

Neon Marketplace has capitalized on its location at 1149 Division St. – the former site of an eponymous restaurant – at the intersection of Rtes. 4 and 401 and just yards away from I-95. Beyond the ability to refill gas and diesel and charge an electric vehicle, at Neon customers will find a kitchen and store that are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., fountain drinks and gourmet coffee, made-to-order breakfasts and artisanal sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and brick oven pizza, as well as grab-and-go sandwiches.

On the other side of the city is Renova Lighting Systems, which has been operating in Warwick for 25 years and just celebrated the transfer of ownership to Jeremy and Jessica Mularski. Located at 36 Bellair Ave., the company boasts 14 patents and 32 awards and designs and manufactures lighting, with an emphasis on providing customers with innovative ideas and energy-efficient solutions. 

And, tucked away in a residential neighborhood off Long St. is a new daycare, “Owl Always.” Serving children two to five years old, Owl Always’ mission is to empower the next generation of curious minds by providing an innovative and adaptive approach to childcare that values creativity. The owner/program director is Jennifer Estrada and Michaela Famulari is the education coordinator.

These companies and new owners are a welcome addition to Warwick’s diverse and thriving small business community, providing great services and products while making aesthetic improvements that help to increase the attractiveness of the areas in which they’re located.

If you’re interested in learning more about available properties for your or your client’s next venture, or would like more information about doing business in Warwick, please call the Department of Economic Development at (401) 788-2014, or email econ.dir@warwickri.gov.

Frank Picozzi is the mayor of the city of Warwick, R.I.