Join us as we travel to Main Streets across the state to explore what makes these distinctive gathering places for commerce and community so special, and to learn how we can strengthen them.
Welcome to Downtown Woonsocket!
John Chan, owner of Chan's Fine Oriental Dining, takes us inside a corner of Main Street that has been feeding and entertaining its community since 1905. From Canton, China to a jazz stage in Rhode Island, John shares how one family's journey across the world landed on a single block and never left. Along the way, he reflects on what it takes to build a legacy business, what Woonsocket's Main Street has been through, and why a great meal and live music might be exactly what a downtown needs to survive.
Show Notes:
Chan's Fine Oriental Dining: https://www.chanseggrollsjazz.com/
Ye Olde English Fish & Chips: https://www.woonsocketri.gov/business-directory/ye-olde-english-fish-chips
Stadium Theatre: https://www.stadiumtheatre.com
East Coast Greenway: https://greenway.org/states/new-england/rhode-island
Museum of Work & Culture: https://www.rihs.org/locations/museum-of-work-culture/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
17 Apr 2026
Staging a Comeback (With Representative Joshua Giraldo)
Welcome to Downtown Central Falls!
Joshua Giraldo, State Representative and Central Falls native, takes us inside a city that rebuilt itself from the ground up. From municipal bankruptcy to packed parks and a restaurant scene that spans the globe, Joshua shares how investing in public spaces, embracing a fiercely diverse community, and refusing to let a hard chapter define you can transform a Main Street district into a place worth showing up for.
Show Notes:
La Casona: https://www.lacasona-ri.com/
El Paso: https://www.facebook.com/elpasorestaurantri/
Mimi & Pop's: https://www.facebook.com/mimiandpopsicecream/
Jenks Park: https://www.centralfallsri.gov/parksrec/page/jenks-park
Veteran's Park: https://www.centralfallsri.gov/parksrec/page/veterans-memorial-park
Lupita's: http://ordertaquerialupita.com/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
25 Mar 2026
Tracing History (With Tim Cranston)
Welcome to Post Road in North Kingstown!
Tim Cranston, Town Historian of North Kingstown, takes us on a 400-year journey along one of America's oldest Main Streets. From indigenous trading paths to military base boom-and-bust cycles, Tim shares how understanding a place's diverse history and centering the voices often left out of the narrative can transform how we see our communities and inspire meaningful revitalization.
Show Notes:
North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce: https://www.northkingstown.com/
Post Road Business Alliance: https://postroadnk.org/
The View From Swamptown: https://www.independentri.com/view_from_swamptown/
NoKo Coffee: https://northkoffee.com/
Seabee Museum: https://seabeesmuseum.com/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
27 Feb 2026
Navigating Change (With Helen Baskerville-Dukes and Dwayne Keys)
Welcome to Mount Hope in Providence!
Helen Baskerville-Dukes and Dwayne Keys, leaders of the Mount Hope Community Center Business Alliance (and partipants of our Main Street Learning Cohort!), chat about their new initiative to support local entrepreneurship. We discuss the importance of community centers in supporting needs, navigating gentrification and displacement of residents, and building up the local main street community.
Show Notes:
Mount Hope Community Center: http://www.mhccri.org/
Billy Taylor Park: https://share.google/7d2F0lvmuAQVPpI32
Mount Hope Learning Center: https://mthopelc.org/
Oak Bakeshop: https://www.oakbakeshop.com/
Holy Name Church: https://holynameprovidence.org/
Frank & Laurie's: https://www.frankandlauries.com/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
6 Feb 2026
Taking the Leap (with Alex DiGregorio)
Welcome to Centredale in North Providence!
Alexandria DiGregorio, owner of North Providence's newest bookshop, shares her journey of opening a brick & mortar, the challenges and triumphs of being a young entrepreneur on a main street, and the importance of books in building social connection.
Show Notes:
Forget Me Not Fables Bookshop: https://forgetmenotfables.com/
The Valley Breeze Article: https://www.valleybreeze.com/news/north-providence-getting-a-bookstore-forget-me-not-fables/article_9b773189-a709-4e48-97f4-5d0d53506b00.html
Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce: https://www.nrichamber.com/
North Providence Town Hall: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zgcdr94fZNU3XLeCA
Sweet Deliveries Bakery: https://sweet-deliveries.com/
Cook & Dagger: https://www.cookanddagger.com/
Rhode Island Billiard Bar & Bistro: https://www.ribbb.com/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
24 Nov 2025
Season 2 Announcement
Learn more about Main Street RI: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Apply to join our RI Main Street Learning Cohort: https://growsmartri.org/ri-main-street-learning-cohort/
Email us: podcast@growsmartri.org
See you in January for Season 2!
17 Oct 2025
Bridging Generations (with Sara Breslin)
Register for our first annual Rhode Island Main Street Conference!
Welcome to Wakefield in South Kingstown!
Sara Breslin, secretary of the Wakefield Village Association, shares the process of planning their annual Halloween Stroll, the importance of hosting events for all ages, and the rewarding nature of hyperlocal work.
Show Notes:
Wakefield Village Association: https://www.wakefieldvillageassociation.com/
Sara Breslin: https://www.sarabreslin.com/
South County Bread Company: https://www.southcountybread.com/
Birch and Bay: https://www.birchandbayri.com/
Brickleys Ice Cream: https://www.brickleys.com/
Saugatucket Park: https://www.southkingstownri.gov/facilities/facility/details/Saugatucket-Park-7
The Glass Station: https://www.theglassstationstudio.com/
The Joyce: https://thejoyceri.com/
Caf Bar: https://www.cafbarri.com/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
19 Sept 2025
Fostering Curiosity (with Amelia Olson)
Welcome to Riverside Square in East Providence!
Amelia Olson, owner of Tall Tumbleweed Modern & Vintage, explores the importance of small business support, curiosity as a healing force, and community-led revitalization in East Providence’s Riverside Square.
Show Notes:
Tall Tumbleweed: https://www.talltumbleweed.com/
Borealis Coffee: https://www.borealiscoffee.com/
Union Square Bistro: https://www.unionsquarebistro.com/
Myrtle: https://www.givemyrtle.com/
Spooky Bottom Bridge (Troll!): https://maps.app.goo.gl/QTNpxPRvkJM24zT17
The Outsider: https://www.theoutsiderep.com/
Honeybird: https://honeybirdri.com/
Sacred Cow Ice Cream (Monroe Dairy): https://sacredcowicecreamshop.com/hours-directions/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
5 Sept 2025
Cultivating Belonging (with Devon Mello)
Welcome to the Broadway District in Newport!
Devon Mello, Artistic Director at the Firehouse Theater, discusses the benefits of growing up near Broadway, how the neighborhood has changed, and the significance of live entertainment in promoting social connectedness.
Show Notes:
Devon Mello: https://www.devonmello.com/
The Firehouse Theater & Bit Players: https://www.firehousetheater.org/
Empire Tea & Coffee: https://www.empireteaandcoffee.com/
Caleb & Broad: https://calebandbroad.com/
House of Waves Gallery: https://houseofwavesnpt.com/
Chase Ceglie (local musician): https://www.chaseceglie.com/bio
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
5 Sept 2025
Shaping a Legacy (with Paul Durfee)
Register for our first annual Rhode Island Main Street Conference:
Welcome to Rolfe Square in Cranston!
Paul Durfee, third-generation owner of Durfee Hardware, discusses sustaining a family business through the years, the importance of building relationships with community members and municipal leaders, and the rich history of Rolfe Square.
Show Notes:
Durfee Hardware: https://durfeehardware.com/
The Park Theatre: https://theparkri.com/
Park Senate Barber: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CiaMU13FbAWF3Av89
Betolla Pizzaria: https://www.bettola.com/
Mesa Cafe and Grill: https://mesacafeandgrille.com/
Alani's Bistro: https://alanisbistro.com/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
22 Aug 2025
Amplifying Community Voice (with Cindy Miranda)
Welcome to the Olneyville neighborhood in Providence!
President of the Olneyville Neighborhood Association (ONA) Cindy Miranda shares about ONA's diverse programming, how the neighborhood is changing, and the importance of centering community voice.
Show Notes:
Olneyville Neighborhood Association: https://www.ona-providence.org/
Antojitos De Mi Tierra: https://maps.app.goo.gl/26uJseryMfxGUqzB9
Orale Taqueria: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N1TjtKcCe1YmuKRa9
Big Top Flea Market: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gbChdz2oMvbyT2wW8
Family Cake Bakery: https://www.facebook.com/TheFamilyCake/
Fete Music Hall: https://www.fetemusic.com/
Wes's Ribhouse: https://www.wesribhouse.com/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
7 Aug 2025
Preserving Place with Charlie Wilson
Welcome to Chepachet Village, a historic district in the town of Glocester!
Local business owner and history buff Charlie Wilson shares about his experiences restoring and protecting a historic building, spearheading community engagement events, and modernizing while maintaining a place's unique historic character.
Show Notes:
The Town Trader: https://www.thetowntrader.com/
Candlelight Shopping: https://www.candlelightshopping.com/
Scarecrow Festival: https://glocesterscarecrowfestival.com/
The Village Bean: https://www.facebook.com/villagebeancafe/
Tavern on Main: https://tavernonmainri.com/
Glocester Economic Development Commission: https://www.glocesteredc.org/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
25 Jul 2025
Promoting a Renaissance (with Keno Mullings)
Welcome to the Black Block, a cultural district in downtown Pawtucket!
Local entrepreneur Keno Mullings shares about his experiences opening and marketing his new business, the importance of stimulating entrepreneurship, and the challenges inherent to revitalizing and reimagining a downtown district.
Show Notes:
The Main Oasis: https://www.facebook.com/mainoasismarket
The Black Block Community Foundation: https://www.blackblockcommunityfoundation.org/
Latin Touch Barbershop: https://www.instagram.com/latintouchbarbershop_/
Angela's Beauty Salon: https://www.facebook.com/p/Angelas-100063664865130/
Still on Main (Still on Main Pizza & The Backyard): https://www.stillonmain.shop/
Berbena 21: https://www.instagram.com/berbena_21/?hl=en
Seed Cafe: https://www.seedcaferi.com/
Harvest Kitchen: https://www.farmfreshri.org/programs/harvest-kitchen/
George Wiley Center: https://www.georgewileycenter.org/
Main Street RI
Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/
Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp
11 Jul 2025
Main Street Trailer
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