With the holiday season now well underway, the city has been encouraging residents to “shop local” and support both our small businesses, as well as the national and regional companies in our community. In addition to issuing a proclamation recognizing Small Business Saturday, we have also continued our weekly “One on One” business program in order to bring attention to the wide variety of specialty shops, restaurants and retailers that call Warwick home. 

As part of these efforts, we celebrated a ribbon cutting – fittingly, during Veterans Day weekend – at Operation Made, located at 1050 Tollgate Rd. The boutique gift shop features quality products made by those who serve. With a mission to empower and encourage the military community through entrepreneurship, Operation Made provides veterans and their families the opportunity to share and sell their handcrafted home goods and accessories through a unique artisan boutique. They offer photography, woodworking, furniture, home décor and fashion accessories, jewelry, clothing, pottery and much more. Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/operationmade.

We also stopped by Warwick Ice Cream, which has been a pillar of our business community and a success story Warwick has celebrated for 88 years. Still family-owned and located on Rte. 2, they focus on supporting local farms, and are known throughout the state for their assistance to charitable causes and events. Their products are available in local stores and they also offer co-packing/manufacturing and delivery services as well as private label opportunities. They were recognized earlier this year by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s for their ongoing success in our city and state. (www.warwickicecreamco.com).

Last week, we traveled a bit further up Rte. 2 to celebrate the grand opening of the first SONIC drive-in restaurant franchise location in Warwick. This development transformed a property that’s been vacant for several years into a vibrant new business that’s projected to create 50 permanent full and part-time jobs. The retro-style restaurant chain will feature indoor seating for 60, a patio area to accommodate four tables and 14 stalls for customers to park and order food delivered by “car hops” on skates. 

These three companies are just a small reflection of the diversity you’ll find within our business community – no matter what you’re looking for this holiday season, chances are you’ll find it in Warwick. For more information, log onto visitwarwickri.com. 

On behalf of our employees, I wish all of you a joyous and memorable month and a New Year filled with great happiness and success.

Joseph Solomon is the mayor of Warwick.