Recently, Rhode Island elected officials gathered in Warwick's Pawtuxet Village to promote Shop Small, encouraging locals and tourists to explore area merchants and encourage visits to small business throughout the state on Small Business Saturday. I joined U.S. senator Sheldon Whitehouse, congressman James Langevin, Cranston mayor Allan Fung, Seth Goodall, regional administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration, Mark Hayward, Rhode Island District Director,U.S. Small Business Administration, Lauren Slocum, president & CEO, Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, Dale Venturini, president & CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality Association and local merchants as we highlighted the benefits of shopping local.
This event provided us with a perfect opportunity to help spur the growth of small businesses and to highlight the fact that Warwick offers residents, visitors and tourists alike with countless diverse shopping and dining options.
Small businesses fuel our economy and create hundreds of jobs for local Rhode Islanders. Warwick is fortunate to be home to many small businesses, such as Benny's which recently celebrated its 90th anniversary. While our small businesses are an important part of our city's economic engine, Warwick also offers shoppers and diners the best of both worlds, as we are fortunate be home to Warwick Mall, one of our state's premier shopping destinations, Rhode Island Mall, which will soon be converted into The Outlets at Rhode Island Mall, and more than a dozen shopping plazas which also feature nationally recognized stores and restaurants.
In October, Brewed Awakenings, a Rhode Island coffee shop with locations in four cities in our state, opened its largest store in Warwick. We are proud that our city bears this important distinction.
This beautiful 8,000 s/f facility offers private meeting rooms, catering as well as a variety of coffees, pastries and sandwiches. The store also features a drive-thru and two outdoor seating patios.
Brewed Awakenings has not only created 45 full and part-time jobs at this location, but the company is also helping to grow our local economy, while adding to the vibrant restaurant and hospitality industry in our state.
I encourage residents, visitors and tourists alike to explore our city's shopping and dining options. More information on Shop Local Shop Warwick can be found at www.visitwarwickri.com/shopwarwick.php.
Scott Avedisian is the mayor of Warwick and the chairman of the RIPTA board of directors.