Where You Can Buy with Pride All Year Long in Rhode Island
From flower shops to local spirits, the Ocean State has no shortage of LGBTQ+ businesses you can support.
Shawn Malisz, left, and Jordan Ford of Jordan’s Jungle in Pawtucket. Courtesy of Jordan’s Jungle
Editor’s note: Do you run an LGBTQ+-owned business in Rhode Island? Email Digital Editor Kait Murray at kmurray@rimonthly.com to be added to this list!
MISTER SISTER
This Wickenden street erotica shop has been proudly queer-owned since opening in 2008.
“We were founded as a space for queer people,” says owner Robert McAuslan. “I joke that we’re a safe space for straight people, but the store isn’t curated to their needs necessarily. That’s not to exclude anyone or make anyone feel bad. But it means we’re looking for products that are going to help nonbinary folks, or are from queer-made companies, women-owned companies.”
In addition to stocking goodies (the store’s motto: “More toys than the devil’s got sinners”) for all genders, bodies and sexual expressions, the store also carries locally made pottery, cards and jewelry as well as blossoms from nearby Four Buds Floral and scents from Earthtones Metaphysical Shop. They started stocking free menstrual products on their doorstep during the pandemic, a tradition that’s continued ever since. More often than not, neighboring businesses and residents step in to fill the bin when it’s empty, McAuslan says.
Community involvement — both with the LGBTQ+ community and with the Fox Point neighborhood — is something McAuslan takes seriously.
“You’re not just a building in a neighborhood,” he says. “You’re a part of that neighborhood. How do you curate yourself and actually contribute to your community versus just consuming your community?” 268 Wickenden St., Providence, 421-6969, instagram.com/mister_sister_providence_
FOUR BUDS FLORAL STUDIO
The four “buds” behind Rhode Island’s first — and only — worker-owned flower shop wanted a healthy, thriving workplace that fostered a sense of community and gave them a sense of control. So they created it themselves.
The four owners — who all met at a Providence floral studio — took their combined five decades of experience, applied for a loan, and set up shop across town in the old City Gardens on Wickenden Street when the longtime owner retired.
“We’re the perfect team,” says L. Villegas, one of the owners. “We all have different strengths and different experiences to bring to the table.”
The shop will celebrate its first anniversary in July, and the owners take pride in offering an inclusive space where all genders, sexes and orientations feel comfortable. They also try to highlight as many local, queer-owned and Black-owned small businesses as possible.
“It’s really important to us that it’s not just a profit-driven business but it’s also a resource and a community space,” Villegas says.
They’re also trying to diversify their wedding offerings. An online questionnaire, for example, uses inclusive language instead of the traditional “bride” and “groom” labels.
“We’re definitely more open to nontraditional weddings and we’re really excited to work with couples that are not your super-traditional couples,” Villegas says. “We’re very excited about bringing something a little bit different to the wedding industry.” 284 Wickenden St., Providence, 351-1775, fourbudsfloral.com
More Queer-Owned Businesses
Angels Collective
Get: Unique tattoos from a multidisciplinary collective of queer and non-binary artists.
Details: 226 Broadway, Providence, angelscollectiveri.com
Aruverde
Get: Hair cuts, styling, coloring, extensions and treatments.
Details: 90 Spruce St, Providence, 401-272-4676, aruverde.com
Earthtones Metaphysical Shop
Get: Aura-cleansing aromatherapy products, essential oils, sage and herb bundles, candles, incense holders and more.
Details: 103 Wickenden St., Providence, 401-648-7505, earthtonesshop.com
Glitz
Get: Vintage clothing and accessories.
Details: 1478 Atwood Ave., Suite 106, Johnston, Glitz on Facebook
Hawt Chocolate
Get: Rich, flavorful bonbons (think: raspberry ganache, coffee milk, and hazelnut praline).
Details: hawtchocolatepvd.com
Heartleaf Books
Get: Your new favorite read from Rhode Island’s only employee-owned, queer-owned, cooperative, cat-managed bookstore.
Details: 374 Atwells Ave., Providence, 401-477-2294, heartleafbooks.com
Jordan’s Jungle
Get: Houseplants galore, from beginner-friendly and pet-safe pots to specialty and collector finds.
Details: 545 Pawtucket Ave., Pawtucket, 401-475-0100, jordansjungle.net
Courtesy of Jordan’s Jungle.
Little Gold
Reserve: A cozy, curated event space perfect for an intimate gathering with friends and family.
Details: 24 Franklin St., Newport, 401-594-9244, littlegoldnpt.com
New Age Barbering Company
Get: A trendy haircut.
Details: 8 Freebody St., Newport, 401-324-5494, instagram.com/newagebarberingco
The Peaceful Pack
Get: Luxury In-home dog boarding, day care and pet care services.
Details: thepeacefulpack.org
Rhode Island Spirits
Get: A delicious cocktail at the tasting room, or bring home a bottle of one of their flavored gins or vodkas.
Details: 40 Bayley St., Pawtucket, 401-856-4111, rhodeislandspirits.com
Small Format
Get: Coffee, cocktails, art and community in a queer-cooperatively run open-air gallery and exhibition room.
Details: 335 Wickenden St., Providence, smallformat.one
SuperPup Academy
Get: Online and in-person dog training services.
Details:
Thrive Cakery
Get: Cookies by the dozen or half-dozen, a cinnabake or a tres leches cake.
Details: thrivecakery.com
watUlike
Get: A homemade sandwich or baked good.
Details: 194 Hillside Ave., Pawtucket, instagram.com/watulikeri
