2024 Best of Rhode Island Editors’ Picks

INDEX

FOOD & DRINK | SHOPPING | GO PLAY | WELLNESS | READERS’ POLL

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SHOPPING 

Shops to spend your dollars locally.

Fun Ladieswear

Groove Newport

Keeping up with your tween daughter’s ever-changing fashion demands may be a bit easier now. From the latest seasonal dresses, Suncoo rompers, Bucket List boho tops and jeans distressed in just the right spot, Mom and daughter can shop here together and each find new pieces to update your wardrobes. Add just the right necklace, bag or accessories and you’ll curate a summer mood to last all season. 474 Thames St., Newport, 619-2449, instagram.com/groovenewport  

Luxe Vintage Goods

Bangled Tiger

All the fancy East Side ladies could drop their gently loved goods off at the nearest donation bin or Salvation Army, but many of them consign at high-end vintage and modern consignment boutiques. That’s where Bangled Tiger steps in, curating the most beautiful designer garments to give them a second life in the hands of a new shopper who will do them justice. 200 S. Main St., Providence, 602-7923, instagram.com/bangledtiger

Women’s Wardrobe Essentials

Bobbles & Lace

This New England-founded women’s boutique started out in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and expanded to other New England outposts, opening its first Providence location this past fall. Privately owned by Laurel Handel Polselli, the shop focuses on classic and trendy pieces that are elegant and timeless. Stop in and Laurel will help you find looks that best suit your style and body shape. See if she can correctly fit you at the denim bar on her first try! “It’s not my first rodeo,” she says with a smirk. 100 Mathewson St., Providence, 272-2719, bobblesandlace.com

Internationally Minded Designer

Miatta Zoe

Miatta Zoe tracks down bold, bright and beautiful prints from Africa to sew into dresses, skirts, blouses and more. The designer merges her faith and culture with African print fabrics and creates modern designs that anyone can wear. Pick out a showstopper and wow everyone when you walk down the street. instagram.com/miattazoe

Handmade Furniture With a Purpose

Edge and End Studios

A piece of Edge and End functional furniture serves multiple purposes. Not only do they create beautiful home furnishings, but they also give back to the community. The woodworking studio creates tables and chairs using locally sourced and repurposed hardwoods while working with local nonprofits to create training opportunities and employment options for adults with disabilities and teach trade skills to underserved people in our community. 610 Manton Ave., Providence, 258-5544, edgeandend.com

Fashion For All Ages

Beau Bleu Boutique & Gifts

Owner Nicki Tyska, left, and her daughter, Drew, of Beau Bleu Boutique & Gifts.

Multiple generations can shop here and find something to feel good in. From preppy printed shift dresses to elegant and colorful maxis and boho embroidered minis, there’s always something new, something you will want to borrow, and something blue; the hardest part will be narrowing down all the fits you will want to fish out of your own closet. 423 Hope St., Bristol, 253-1314, beaubleuboutique.com

Handcrafted Homewares

Inhabit

Is it a gallery, or is it a shop? Inhabit is both. The Warren storefront turns the spotlight on the unusual artwork and handcrafted goods on display. Visual stunners include vivid pink and purple handwoven rope baskets, colorful naturally dyed tablecloths, handmade Scandinavian-style wooden furniture and cutting boards, iridescent hand-blown glassware and carved candlesticks. It’s like a shoppable museum exhibit you can take home with you. 450 Main St., Warren, instagram.com/shop_inhabit

Workwear

Gamine

Gamine has a cult following for its utilitarian clothing that values form and function. Reinforced knee dungarees, long brim sun hats, shorts and sweaters are designed for women who brave the elements. Founder and horticulturalist Taylor Johnston spent two years finessing the line before launch day after her own experience with stylish workwear that lacked durability or sturdier lines that left her looking too Little Orphan Annie. 3988 Main Rd., Tiverton (shop by appointment), 617-433-8215, gamineworkwear.com

New Italian Food Market

Neapolis

The most darling Italian food market awaits right across the way from Pasquale’s Pizzeria Napoletana. Browse the shelves and pick up Italian provisions for home, including pastas, olive oils, balsamic vinegars and fresh burrata flown in from Italy, plus prepared foods like Sicilian-style pizza (go across the street for Neapolitan and New York style), calzone, creamy gelato and the most decadent Italian desserts like cannoli and napoleons. ​60 South County Commons Way, Wakefield, 854-0667, neapolisri.com

Worldly Home Goods

Le BonNton

Owner Chi (Cigdem)Turkomer, owner of Le BonNton, sells international goods, including beautiful jewelry, in her store.

LE BON N TON

Set your home apart from a sea of cookie-cutter neutrals with a few pops of color in the form of Turkish Kilim throw pillows, Turkish towels and robes, and handmade pottery from this gem of a home decor shop. The boutique started out in the Berkshires and has now expanded to the East Bay with international finds that breathe life into any room, as well as intricate jewelry to brighten your day. 30 Child St., Warren, lebonnton.com 

LE BON N TON

Luxe Home Goods

Stewart House

This cozy little jewel box of a store, owned by sisters Ellen and Karen, is celebrating its first anniversary of selling beautiful wares from its perch on the corner of Hope and John streets in Providence. Colorful Parisian napkins are tucked next to hobnail glassware made in the Czech Republic, while Spanish-inspired decoupage dishes share space with luscious candles hand-poured in Brooklyn. (Apotheke’s sea salt grapefruit is a guaranteed mood-booster.) It’s the perfect place for picnic necessities, luxurious pillows and throws, and wedding gifts that will double as treasured heirlooms. 97 Hope St., Providence, 206-5252, stewarthousepvd.com 

Gift-Worthy Kitchen Goods

Beehive Handmade

While Beehive Handmade has been around for more than twenty-five years, it recently relocated to a unique storefront in Warren, where its artful yet useful kitchen and home goods are displayed like the works of art they are. From nesting measuring spoons and wooden trays laminated with vintage maps of Warren and Bristol to beautiful ornaments and pendants cast from an oyster shell found nearby, this shop has the most thoughtful gifts on hand. 332 Water St., Warren, 508-678-4335, beehivehandmade.com

Gifts & Knickknacks

Different Drummer

From American handcrafts to one-of-a-kind pottery and local art, Different Drummer has something for everyone. The whimsical boutique houses an impressive display of handmade jewelry and stationery goods, catching the eyes of frequent Wickford shoppers and tourists meandering through the village. You won’t even know you need it until you see it. 15 West Main St., Wickford, 294-4867, differentdrummerri.com

Vintage Treasures

Carmen & Ginger

This curiously curated vintage shop has a little bit of everything: clothing and cowboy boots, leather and sequined handbags and clutches, plus kitschy porcelain animals and figurines filled with succulents, costume jewelry and nostalgic holiday decor. Whether you’re working on a timewarp vibe for your home or you need midcentury modern glassware or dishes for a party, Carmen & Ginger does the treasure hunting for you, so you can just sit back and stare at your latest one-of-a-kind showpiece.
18 Child St., Warren, 274-1700, carmenandginger.com

Handmade Shoes

Tigris Handmade

Photograph courtesy of Tigris Handmade.

Tigris Handmade creates Yemeni-style shoes that should never see the bottom of a landfill. The 100 percent handcrafted, sustainable and naturally made leather shoes come in nearly every color of the rainbow in slide, slipper and laced versions. The shoes are modeled after the handmade shoes of Turkey’s Anatolia region. Tigris Handmade supports skilled craftsmen who create these shoes from high-quality, all-natural materials, making them accessible to shoppers in Warren and beyond.
81 Water St., Warren, 316-4424, tigrishandmade.com

Artisans to Watch

As the home of the Creative Capital, it comes as no surprise that the Ocean State is full of, well, creatives. But some fly a bit under the radar, and we’re here to shine a light on their work.

Mack & Hound 

Established by Ryan O’Keefe in 2017, this one-man operation churns out expertly hand-cut and hand-stitched leather and canvas goods. Peruse Mack & Hound’s website for simple yet stylish wallets, journals, bags, belts and key clips that are made to last. mackandhound.com

Sakonnet Candle Co.

After becoming a mom in 2021, former teacher Alecia Milot swapped the classroom for a home studio and started Sakonnet Candle Co. Handmade using vegan soy coconut wax and wooden wicks, her collections include New England-inspired scents like Cape Cod cranberry and White Mountain Campfire as well as natural blends like citrus and wild greens and cedar and cinnamon spice. Home decor enthusiasts will also enjoy her made-to-order options, custom wedding candles, room sprays, scrubs and butters. sakonnetcandleco.com

Wolfe & Hound Company 

Wolfe & Hound makes small-batch, distinctive (and often vintage-inspired) bandanas and curated goods (think: upcycled toys, embroidered merit badges, homemade snacks and more) for your favorite furry companion. But arguably the coolest part is that for every bandana sold, owner Melanie Wolfe donates a bandana to a local shelter to ensure pups in need look their best while meeting their future pawrents. etsy.com/shop/wolfeandhoundcompany

True Beauty Beads 

Leona Eastman learned to appreciate the African tradition of wearing waist beads at a young age while helping her grandmother craft them for the women in their family. As an adult, she has continued her legacy by sharing them with the world. Made from a variety of materials like crystal, metal, glass, wood, stone or shell strung along a cotton string, these gorgeous body accessories help women embrace their inner beauty and boost their self-confidence, regardless of size, shape or skin color. truebeautybeads.com

Sew Adourian 

With Sew Adourian, owner and crafter Judy Adourian doesn’t just make blankets, pillows and stuffed animals — she preserves memories. She takes materials like band T-shirts that have seen better days, or a deceased loved one’s old button-down shirt, and reimagines them into something customers can use and appreciate for years to come. facebook.com/sewadourianshop

Veronica Mays of Conaky’s Quilts with some of her handquilted creations.

Conaky’s Quilts 

Veronica Mays, on the other hand, takes a different, yet just as impactful approach with her handcrafted quilts. Her current inventory is made up of colorful designs that showcase and uplift Black culture, women’s rights and more. conakysquilts.com

Breakout Bookstore

Martin House Books

Having grown up between the stacks as the daughter of a bookstore owner in Massachusetts, Gretchen Miller was the perfect candidate to take over the recently shuttered Savoy space this past April. Sporting a more modern, industrial chic look, Martin House Books fulfills southern Rhode Islanders’ bookish needs, from the latest bestsellers to niche interests, with ease. Plus with the help of in-house Cafe 1888’s delicious coffee, pastry and even wine offerings, it’s poised to be the hottest spot for future author readings and book clubs. 10 Canal St., Westerly, 561-6101, martinhousebooks.com

Books and Bites

Arc{hive} Book + Snackery

Owners Uriah Donnelly and Janet Moscarello of Arc{hive} Book and Snackery.

To the everyday book lover, digging into a book alongside a tasty snack is a recipe for a great plot. Owners Uriah Donnelly and Janet Moscarello breathed this business idea into life, creating a haven for book enthusiasts and foodies alike. Grab a gently used book before nibbling on tinned fish and sipping a cocktail, which will possibly spark some good conversation. 4 Market St., Warren, 903-2126, archivebooksnackery.com

Stunning and Sustainable Jewelry

Figs & Ginger

Female-owned since 2005, Figs
& Ginger is known for its array of handmade, eco-friendly jewelry. Favorites include wildflower lockets featuring real florals, quirky kiln-fired mushroom pendants on gold-plated brass chains and the charming Ghost in the Garden scallop rings. Couples can also set up an appointment to make custom rings together, and Figs & Ginger also provides wedding services like cake toppers, invitations, favors and more. Providence, figsandginger.com

Kitchen Wares

Utility

The owners of Mission and Thames Street Kitchen bring us a shop that has all the things we need to make good eats. Whether it’s kitchen gear or a Le Creuset pot, the shop stocks all the latest cooking gadgets and gizmos a-plenty, whozits and whatzits galore. There are cookbooks, food products and sharp knives. You want thingamabobs? They’ve got twenty! 58 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown, 324-5403, shop-utility.com

Timeless Trinkets and Furnishings

Bleubell Cottage & Garden

Travel back in time and treat your abode and garden to some cottagecore finds. From furniture and greenery to paintings and more, the shop’s black-and-white-tiled floor is adorned with vintage wares for your home. Browsing the timeless items can be just as thrilling as bringing your new purchases home and finding their rightful new spots. 41 Rocky Hollow Rd., East Greenwich, instagram.com/bleubellcottageandgarden

Gifts for Every Occasion

Eclectic Energy

Have you ever wished you could shop at your maximalist friend’s home? South County’s Eclectic Energy can make that whim a reality. Pamela Davis took over the cozy 124-year-old property and revitalized the space with a colorful inventory from more than 200 designers. Each room is dedicated to different interests, from cooking accessories for foodie friends to unique art pieces to Rhode Island-themed bits for the college freshman who misses home. 102 Main St., South Kingstown, 284-0284, eclecticenergy.com

Japanese Goodies

You’ll wonder if you’re in a Tokyo 7-Eleven at Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli.

Journey to Japan via your taste buds at Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli in Providence (in Rhode Island-speak, where Rory’s Market used to be). You’ll feel like you’re inside a Tokyo 7-Eleven, surrounded by fresh sushi, onigiri (rice balls stuffed with fillings like tuna mayo and tempura shrimp), imported teas, ramen, fresh produce, made-to-order rice bowls and all the sweet, savory, jellied, crunchy and chocolatey snacks. Enjoy your goodies with a handcrafted tea or coffee drink from the bar in the cafe’s dining area. Just across the highway, Y Maru Maru sells beautiful Japanese-crafted dinnerware, along with drinks, snacks, cookies, frozen goods and all the condiments and sauces — rice vinegar, sesame dressing, dashi — you’ll need to round out your pantry. Itadakimasu! Maruichi Japanese Food & Deli, 113 Washington St., Providence, 773-9331, maruichius.net. Y Maru Maru, 267 Broadway, Providence, 473-0169, instagram.com/ymaru_maru

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INDEX

FOOD & DRINK | SHOPPING | GO PLAY | WELLNESS | READERS’ POLL