Consider Conimicut Village - by Frank Picozzi

March 10, 2023 - Rhode Island
Frank Picozzi

Warwick’s Conimicut Village recently welcomed another new business to the community. Tranquil Touch Aesthetics Boutique, owned and operated by Colleen Collins, relocated from a nearby Rhode Island town to a storefront in the seaside, family-oriented, pet-friendly neighborhood. Offering a variety of services, including facials, body scrubs, paraffin treatments, massage, energy healing, reflexology, eyelash extensions, and makeup applications, the award-winning business is a most welcome addition to the neighborhood.

Tranquil touch joins other local small businesses, such as Tiger Eye Gift Shop, a boutique community of local artisans and artists that offers a unique assortment of products perfect for gift giving. Their specialty is creating baskets that can be tailored to fit customers’ budgets and creative themes, but many customers also stop in to enjoy their arts and crafts classes along with Reiki, Tarot, and Oracle readings. Just down the street, on the main boulevard lined with pear trees that bloom beautifully every spring, is Grainsley’s Kitchen and Drinks. The restaurant opened just before the pandemic, and not only survived the many challenges that COVID-19 brought to small businesses, but continues to thrive thanks to customers who flock to the restaurant to enjoy their craft beers, specialty cocktails, and fresh, homemade food that includes pub-style pizza, a wide variety of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. They’ve also expanded their operations to include catering services.

Located in the eastern part of the city, Conimicut can trace its history back to Warwick’s founding in 1643. In addition to a number of small businesses, it’s home to places of worship as well as several non-profit agencies, including the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, which offers statewide services to those affected by domestic violence, and FRIEND’s WAY, Rhode Island’s only bereavement center serving children up to age 18 and their families. On summer nights, one can hear the crack of a bat and cheers from a ball field located in the center of the village. And, at any time of year, locals and out-of-town guests alike flock to Conimicut Point Park to enjoy the on-site playground, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and the stunning views of breathtaking Narragansett Bay and the iconic Conimicut Shoal Lighthouse, which has provided mariners safe passage since 1868. 

Next year, Conimicut Village will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its village association, an active and dedicated group of folks who work tirelessly to plan annual events such as a community Easter egg hunt, Earth Day cleanups, an autumn yard sale and block party, a “spooktacular” event in October, holiday tree lighting, and more. Last year, the village association happily reached an all-time high for memberships.

The association also continues to work hard to support the local economy and has identified a number of small businesses they believe would thrive in the neighborhood. Coffee shops, ice cream parlors, hair and nail salons, yoga studios, clothing stores, restaurants, antique shops and galleries – the types of businesses that the public can visit and explore and enjoy – would find a perfect home in Conimicut. And, since the village is just a stone’s throw away from the perennially popular Rocky Point State Park and the seaside Oakland Beach neighborhood, there’s certainly plenty of folks who would be interested in stopping by the village for a bite to eat or to shop after spending a day in the great outdoors.

If you own a business and are looking to relocate or know someone who’s looking for a fantastic place to set up shop, we invite you to consider Conimicut Village. For more information about Conimicut, visit conimicut.org or warwickri.gov. If you’re interested in learning more about our community in general and how your business can thrive here in Warwick, please contact the Department of Economic Development at (401) 738-2014 or [email protected].

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

Tags:

Comments

Add Comment