Marylou's Coffee of Hingham, Mass. plans to open five coffee shops in the Ocean State by the end of 2011. Each of the retail locations will be located in Shell gas stations owned by Colbea Enterprises LLC.
The first store is scheduled to open in East Providence this month with the remaining four to open every three months - in North Providence, Smithfield, Johnston and East Greenwich in spaces previously occupied by Tim Hortons, a Canadian-based coffee retailer.
Founder Marylou Sandry currently operates 24 shops throughout the South Shore of Mass. and one on Cape Cod. She will own and operate a total of 30 coffee shops by the end of 2011.
When they're finished, the Rhode Island stores will provide 150 full and part-time jobs.