2026 Best of Rhode Island Editor’s Picks
See where we wined, dined, played and shopped this year.
INDEX
FOOD & DRINK | SHOP | PLAY: THINGS TO DO | HEALTH & BEAUTY
_____________________
SHOP
Shops for spending your dollars locally.
Photograph courtesy of Lazuli
Handcrafted Jewelry
Lazuli
From earthy raw gemstones that evoke the colors of the ocean to antique chain necklaces and hand-painted charms, Lazuli’s jewelry captures the timelessness of a Newport summer. Owner and artist Erika Young uses her background in geology and the technique of electroforming to create
unique, wearable pieces that enhance the natural beauty of their materials. 6 Deblois St., Newport, shoplazuli.com
Chic New Boutique
Silverline
Rhode Islanders who love high-end fashion and art have a new place to shop. This chic women’s boutique in Wayland Square features established and emerging designers, cool housewares and gifts. Expect to find buttery soft cashmere sweaters from Guest in Residence, tops and bottoms from Rachel Comey, cool striped tees from Kallmeyer and vintage Hermes tote bags. 467 Angell St., Providence, silverlineprov.com
Bloom Bar
Buttercup
Guests can build their own bouquet followed by a gab sesh with a glass of bubbly at the bar. Browse the wine bar and retail shop for blooms and accents for your floral arrangement then cap off the activity with a toast to your family or friendship. 4 Brown St., Wickford, 650-867-1170, buttercuprhodeisland.com
Exclusive Women’s Braids
Dish Clothing Boutique
For twenty-three years, this mother-and-daughter duo has brought exclusive and sustainable brands to the East Bay, many that you’d only see in tony Manhattan boutiques. Dish selects ethical and international designers while thoughtfully curating a collection of clothing, accessories and jewelry that are timelessly elegant and unquestionably unique. 155 Water St., Warren, 247-7705, dishri.com
Speakeasy Shop
Seymour Foods
It’s easy to miss Seymour Foods, tucked away around the corner from Providence legends the Hot Club and Al Forno. But wander into the charming shop and you’ll be rewarded with fresh, seasonal produce, Provencal Bakery bread subscriptions (!!), local brands like Yacht Club soda and August Peak sauces (the smoked pomodoro diavolo is divine), prepared foods, and more. Heck, Seymour even delivers. So even if you can’t find the charming indie grocer, you can avail yourself of its delicious wares. 109 Wickenden St., Providence, 400-0440, seymourfoodsne.com
Summer Dress Dreams
Relentless Boutique
From flirty cocktail dresses for a night on the town to effortless maxi dresses fit for a European getaway, Relentless Boutique embraces sundress season in style. Founded online by Sara Dattoli in 2021 and expanded into a storefront in late 2024, the boutique stocks playful prints, tasteful accessories and affordable finds. 461 Main St., Unit 104, East Greenwich, 999-0661, shoprelentlessboutique.com
Girls’ Day Out
Tatters Handmade Clothing and Tea Room
Can’t choose between shopping and afternoon tea? Tatters does both out of a converted church. Make an appointment to indulge in owner Carol Riley’s family recipes for raspberry scones, Victoria sponge cake and chocolate ganache tarts served with delicate finger sandwiches and hot tea on a three-tiered tower of vintage china, then shop for one-of-a-kind handmade clothing sewn from recovered, sustainable fabrics. 324 Main St., Warren, 561-3703, tatters-boutique.com
JohnnyCakes Design & Vintage showcases many vintage and current pieces, including spiky checker blankets created by local artist Joseph Aaron Segal of Pretty Snake. Photograph courtesy of Johnnycakes Design & Vintage.
Foraged Finds
Shop sustainably in style at these secondhand hangs.
Preloved Vintage: Old Bag Vintage
You can find just about any old, previously loved clothing item at this vintage store tucked away on buzzing Ives Street in Providence. 159 B Ives St., Providence, 861-3954, facebook.com/oldbagvintagepvd
True Vintage Storefront: Project Attic
Specializing in true vintage (anything 1970s and earlier), Project Attic has all your antique and retro clothing needs. This vintage boutique feels less like a store and more like a time-travel adventure. 301 Wickenden St., Providence, 277-0667, project-attic.com
Zhushed-up Finds: JohnnyCakes Design & Vintage
Find your inner zhush at designer Britt Machado’s fun, chic and welcoming space on Broadway in Providence. Cobalt Squiggle photo holder? Check. Renaissance Revival 1950s chair? Check. Spiky blankets from local designer Pretty Snake? Check, check and check. 378 Broadway, Providence, 237-0835, johnnycakesdesign.com
Rare Retro Kicks: Sneaker Junkies
From Air Jordan 1s to Adidas Sambas, and with countless colors, patterns and styles lining the shelves, the shop feels like a candy store for sneaker lovers. 290 Thayer St., Providence, 437-6997, sneakerjunkiesusa.com
Sweet Spot
Gansett Craft Chocolate
Father-daughter duo Steve and Ella Schneider established the first beans-to-bar chocolate maker in the state in 2021 while Ella was still in high school. Now, she and her dad have moved into a charming shop in downtown Wakefield. Whether you’re into milk, dark or white chocolate, or craving a more unusual flavor like lavender or whiskey, these modern-day Willy Wonkas are your golden ticket. 227 Robinson St., Wakefield, 486-0850, gansettcraftchocolate.com
Artisans to Watch
Local artists creating cool things in the Creative Capital and beyond.
Courtesy of Shan-anigans Crafts.
Shan-anigans Crafts
Cranston native Shannon Corey’s goal is to “crochet cute things that make people happy.” Some favorites include: an emotional support pickle, a Santa suit-clad turtle and the leading ladies from KPop Demon Hunters. Corey is a frequent guest of local markets like Field of Artisans. @shananiganscrafts
Courtesy of Frankiemadeit.
FRANKIEMADEIT
FRANKIEMADEIT’s wares prove that life in plastic is fantastic. A self-taught sewer and upcyclist based in Providence, Francesca, aka Frankie, creates quirky fashion finds like earrings featuring Bratz doll heads, mini Barbie hairdryers or poker chips; keychains made from Ken doll torsos or arms; and bags with vintage Hello Kitty patches. frankiemadeit.com
Courtesy of Bunny’s Boutique.
Bunny’s Boutique
What began as a way to distract herself from pregnancy symptoms has become a thriving business for Kat Martinez. The Rhody native hand stitches and embroiders all her offerings, which include adorable tees and sweaters for adults and children, hats and accessories, home goods and more. shopbunnysbtq.com
Courtesy of Fleetwood Studio
Fleetwood Studio
Lisa Marie Lyckland started Fleetwood Studio after trading in the subways of New York for the sands of Rhode Island in 2017. Peruse her online catalog for illustrated art prints of Rhody favorites like Del’s and Venda Ravioli, “Real Housewives”-inspired notecards (with slam pigs represented), custom pet portraits and more. fleetwood.studio
Sam Valliere, owner of Fuzzy’s Fine Guitars.
Music Shop
Fuzzy’s Fine Guitars
Looking for an obscure string instrument like a ukelele or mandolin, or need to repair an acoustic heirloom? Fuzzy’s does all that and more. Purchase both new and vintage guitars, pedals and amps, and gather and share talents with other musicians who get you amped up to perform live again. 1800 Post Rd., Warwick, 500-2582, fuzzysguitars.com
Handbag designer Kent Stetson inside his Hope Artiste Village studio.
Behind the Bag with Kent Stetson
An interview with the Pawtucket-based designer who created our Best of Rhode Island cover bag.
What was your reaction when you were asked to make the Best of Rhode Island bag?
Iconic. Like, holy moly. I was blown away.
Can you walk us through your creative process?
The first step is just taking the prompt and trying to craft what the recipient is looking for. Once that’s proofed, there are about fifty steps that go into making the bag. Everything is done by hand after the beginning steps.
What material do you use?
This is coated canvas. I started out as a painter, and canvas was the material I was working on. When I made my first bags, I was reprinting and cutting up old paintings.
Are you a “Real Housewives of Rhode Island” fan?
I’m here for it. I spend a lot of energy defending the show.
Who’s your favorite housewife?
I think as a team, they are best when there is tension, and everyone contributes to that push and pull. I’m grateful to Jo-Ellen [Tiberi] for being the first person from the cast to actually come to me and say, ‘I love your work and I would love to use some bags.’ But I’ve been so thrilled to get to make pieces for all of them.
How many bags do you make in a year?
Probably around 5,000, give or take. We had Jersey Mike’s order 1,500 bags with subs on them.
And you sign every bag?
As I’m sewing the bag up, the pocket gets signed and sewn into the bag. Our work is part of the sales tax exemption for artistic works through the Division of Taxation, and part of the criteria for that is an original, signed, numbered, limited-edition work of art.
How can people get their own?
We’re going to be selling this and other bags at the Best of Rhode Island party with a portion of proceeds going to Sojourner House.
1005 Main St., #8224 (store hours by appointment), Pawtucket, 225-3141, kentstetson.com
Shop Bloom PVD features goods from more than thirty local artisans.
Indie Incubator
Shop Bloom PVD
every season is a new shopping experience at Shop Bloom PVD, where co-founders Heather Wolfenden and Savannah Barkley host more than thirty artists, makers and small businesses in their sunny space on Wickenden Street. Artisans apply for residencies, which give them valuable retail space and experience without the overhead costs and demands of running a full-fledged brick and mortar. 243 Wickenden St., Providence, shopbloompvd.com
The Sailor’s Daughter owner Jill Zelensky inside her shop.
Best Shopping Day in Newport
Shops and boutiques for everyone on your list.
Men’s: Man Overboard
When you leave your casual coastal threads on your other yacht, Man Overboard comes to the rescue. Button-downs, polos (popped collars at your own discretion), shorts and slacks, swim trunks, caps and accessories by cool menswear brands promise head-to-toe style that feels at home in the City by the Sea. 198 Bellevue Ave., Newport, 324-5018, @manoverboardnpt
Women’s Classics: Whitworth
Longtime fans of chic Bellevue Avenue boutique Harper & Tucker will love its reinvention: Whitworth. The realized vision of owner and stylist Dakota Whitworth, the Newport native has curated upscale niche collections from designers around the world including Retrofête, Alémais, Shona Joy, Azulu and more. 146 Bellevue Ave., Newport, 236-2623, whitworth.boutique
Swimwear: Sunbent
Lines out the door can be found at more than just Newport’s viral coffee shops and cinnamon bun stands. At just twenty-four, Abigail Edman opened Sunbent, a 200-square-foot Thames Street boutique stocked with ethically sourced coastal apparel. Her own sustainable swimwear line, made from 88 percent recycled materials, consistently sells out. 359 Thames St., Unit B, Newport, sunbentco.com
Coastal Must-Haves: The Sailor’s Daughter
As if torn from a page of an Elin Hilderbrand novel, The Sailor’s Daughter is a dreamy shop full of boat totes, nautical decor, beachy looks and housewares fit for a cottage by the sea. Owner Jill Zelensky describes the vibe as “inspired by sunset sails, beach days, summer clambakes and seaside walks,” so if lobsters, stripes or sailcloth are your love language, welcome home. 408 Thames St., Newport, 203-5239, the-sailorsdaughter.com
Local Art: Sunwray
Graphic designer and illustrator Natalie Wray opened her art-filled shop, Sunwray, in 2024. Her vintage-inspired pennants, decor, totes, original illustrations and branded caps and clothing — all with a nod to the sea and nature — are standouts, plus she offers an array of finds to support local artists like herself. 223 Spring St., Newport, 500-6526, sunwray.com
Local Flavor: Newport Sea Salt Co.
Matt and Tami Mullins have been hand-harvesting sea salt sourced from Brenton Reef for their Newport Sea Salt line since 2017. Familiar faces at local farmers markets, the couple have opened a cozy brick and mortar shop on Lower Thames Street to stock their original “reef-to-table” salt varieties, hands down the briniest boutique in the city. 640 Thames St., Newport, newportseasaltco.com
Owner Kristin Sollenberger of Paper Nautilus Books in Providence.
Under the Covers
Rhody bookworms are blessed with a bevy of independent bookstores in the Ocean State. Here are just a few of our favorites, with their specialties and reasons why you should visit.
Store: Heartleaf Books
Why visit: New releases and LGBTQ+ titles
Fun perk: Penny the shop cat!
Heartleaf Books, 374 Atwells Ave., Providence, 477-2294, heartleafbooks.com
Store: Ink Fish Books
Why visit: Author events, cookbooks, locally made goods
Fun perk: Chatting books with owner Lisa Valentino
Ink Fish Books, 488 Main St., Warren, 368-6827, inkfishbooks.com
Store: Martin House Books
Why visit: Cozy vibes and lovely Cafe 1888
Fun perk: The Books & Brews combo
Martin House Books, 10 Canal St., Westerly, 561-6101, martinhousebooks.com
Store: Paper Nautilus Books
Why visit: Eclectic ephemera, vintage books
Fun perk: Rifling through the many drawers for treasures
Paper Nautilus, 19 S. Angell St., Providence, 521-5533, papernautilusbooks.com
Store: Riffraff Bookstore and Bar
Why visit: Indie titles, books from marginalized voices
Fun perk: The full bar
Riffraff Bookstore and Bar, 60 Valley St., Suite 107A, Providence, 421-4371, riffraffpvd.com
Christina LTD.
Bohemian Boutique
Christina LTD.
It turns out post-Woodstock Bohemian vibes never really went out of style. Head to this free-spirited Westerly boutique for updated looks in gauzy fabrics, earthy tones and flowing silhouettes. The coastal clothing store was established in 1987, but it keeps serving looks that transcend time, along with home goods and gift items. 1 Canal St., Westerly, 315-2615, @christinaltdstore
Magic Touch
The Veiled Crow
Feeling a pull toward the metaphysical world? Or are you interested in tarot, crystals and incense? The Veiled Crow in Cranston will be happy to help with all of your magical needs. Not only can you pick up the aforementioned products along with candles, oils, herbs and other spell ingredients, but you can also join them for hands-on classes and gatherings like Coffee Around the Cauldron and Witchy Book Club. 1862 Broad St., Cranston, 919-5499, veiledcrow.com
Where to Buy
Four finds at our favorite local shops.
ZuZu’s Petals
ZuZu’s Petals
Joseph Ribkoff faux leather moto jacket
ZuZu’s Petals, 165 Main St., East Greenwich, 398-1199, @zuzusri
J Marcel
J Marcel
Blue Suede Jewels rainbow resin bracelet
J Marcel, 808 Hope St., Providence, 383-9777, jmarcel.com
Stock Culinary Goods
Stock Culinary Goods
Michelle Phaneuf Teeny Bowl
Stock Culinary Goods, 756 Hope St., Providence, 521-0101, stockculinarygoods.com
Queen of Hearts
Queen of Hearts/Modern Love
Swedish Dream sea salt and lavender hand cream
Queen of Hearts/Modern Love, 222 Westminster St., Providence, 421-1471, shopqueenofhearts.com
Courtesy of Lindquist Object
Stylish High-End Leather Goods
Lindquist Object
High quality vegetable-tanned leather goods crafted by local artisans in a spacious showroom in Rumford set this brand apart. Creative director and co-founder Lindy McDonough makes timeless designs in fun vibrant colors — such as chartreuse, poppy red, turquoise and periwinkle — as well as the classics such as black, brown and navy. Don’t miss the bestselling Faba bag that works perfectly for weekend strolls in the city. 310 Bourne Ave., Rumford, lindquist-object.com
Courtesy of Lindquist Object
_____________________
