Fox Point Grocers is a One-Stop Shop for Those Who Love to Entertain

Photography courtesy of Fox Point Grocers.

When Pam Hitchman moved to Providence from Brooklyn in 2016, she missed the small specialty neighborhood spots. 

Photography courtesy of Fox Point Grocers.

“I felt exhilarated by the curation and intimacy of these shops and how the owners and staff would connect with people in the community,” she says. “I often wondered why there wasn’t a small specialty food shop in Providence.”

In spring of 2022, Hitchman heard Hawes Fine Foods, a tiny grocer that opened in 2021, was up for sale. She immediately knew she wanted to purchase it. She frequented the shop often but had never owned a small business and had no background in the food industry. But in May 2022, she took the leap and became the new owner of Hawes Fine Foods. 

“The previous owner had sourced many great items and set up relationships with several wonderful distributors, which was so helpful,” she says. Hitchman eventually changed the name to Fox Point Grocers to reflect the community in which it sits. “I love to refer to myself as a grocer — it has such an Old-World quality to it,” she says.

Photography courtesy of Fox Point Grocers.

The charming shop feels like something you would find in a European city. Inside, shoppers can peruse shelves stocked with specialty condiments, high-quality pastas and sauces, gourmet crackers, creamy French butters, hard-to-find yogurts and cheeses, cured meats, frozen foods and ice cream from Wright’s Creamery, Big Feeling and McConnell’s.

“I love my customers,” she says. “There is such an amazing mix of people who come in, many of whom are my neighbors — students, professors, grad students, chefs, locals, friends and people who are visiting Providence or who drive up from other towns because of the special array of items I carry.” 

Many of the items in store have a connection to Hitchman’s childhood, travels and people close to her: think herbal teas from Europe, flavorful German sausages from Schaller & Weber in New York, and high-end vinegars from Camino in Oakland, California. 

Photography courtesy of Fox Point Grocers.

In addition to stellar pantry items, the shop carries top-quality seasonal produce from local farms like Wishing Stone, Foggy Notion, Zephyr and Moonrose. Shoppers can also find a small selection of housewares and gifts including colorful enamelware from Falcon and Crow Canyon, glassware from Sophie Lou Jacobsen and cutlery from Sabre Paris.

Hitchman has exciting plans for the shop, which include adding some personalized touches and organizing a chef’s dinner. 

“I have been so lucky to be in business almost three years and I am ready to take a step back and really think about the space and offerings,” she says. foxpointgrocers.com 

Photography courtesy of Fox Point Grocers.