Shop Small at the Mall at Rhode Island’s Newest Vendor Village

The summertime marketplace offers a chance to shop from more than forty local businesses in one place.

4 hours ago

Lynsie Olivier,

Three women take a selfie in front of a clothing display.

A clothing display by Rhode Island designer Amy Paige DiBlasio (APD). (Photo courtesy of SkillsRI)

Visitors can encounter handcrafted goods and exclusive specialty products at the Rhode Island Small Business Village, a new retail market at Providence Place presented by Skills for Rhode Island’s Future and Centreville Bank.

The curated retail marketplace is designed to increase the sustainability of small businesses and allow for organic connections with new customers. The village officially launched in June at a ceremony attended by community partners, entrepreneurs and Rhode Island leaders.

Located on Level 1 of Providence Place, the Village includes three unique storefronts featuring more than forty Rhode Island businesses that will remain open through Aug. 30. With the uptick in tourism due to the FIFA World Cup, organizers look forward to showcasing Rhode Island’s creativity, culture and ambitious spirit to the hundreds of thousands of new faces traveling in the region.

“The RI Small Business Village is about ensuring Rhode Island entrepreneurs have a seat at the table during one of the biggest economic opportunities our state has seen in years,” says Nina Pande, executive director of SkillsRI. “We’re grateful to our partners and community leaders for helping bring this vision to life and create new opportunities for local businesses to connect with visitors from around the world and grow their reach right here in Rhode Island.”

To showcase the spirit of the state, the RI Small Business Village places the emphasis on local artisans, creators and manufacturers, seeking to channel national attention to the state’s innovation and collaboration. Products include food and specialty items, art, apparel, jewelry, skincare and more.

“Small businesses are the heart of Providence and of Rhode Island,” says Mayor Brett Smiley. “The RI Small Business Village is a creative way to showcase the entrepreneurs, artisans and local businesses that make our state so special. I am grateful to Skills for Rhode Island’s Future and Centreville Bank for creating this opportunity for small businesses to connect with visitors during a summer of celebration and for contributing to the vibrancy of our city.”

Vendor Zainabou Thiam, founder of skin and body care company, Sunu Body, is one of the many small business owners who have had the opportunity to showcase her unique products to those visiting Providence Place. Having founded her company when she was just sixteen years old, Thiam has since sought ways to elevate BIPOC communities and advocate for clean, affordable beauty products. Now at age twenty, Thiam hopes to grow her business and social impact through greater outreach, including raising funds for local villages in Senegal, where she sources her products.

“Retail has always been a dream of mine,” says Thiam. “Yes, we all love going to Providence Mall for H&M and Macy’s, but there’s something a bit more personal when that person lives here. I’m supporting the local economy, especially in times like these where business is incredibly tough. SkillsRI was able to take a bunch of businesses that probably couldn’t afford to be in Providence [Place] mall and give us the opportunity to shine.”

The RI Small Business Village is supported by Centreville Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Washington Trust, BankNewport, Bristol County Savings Bank, RI Commerce and the city of Providence. Additional businesses will be added to the space as it continues to gain popularity among consumers.

Skills for Rhode Island’s Future, a nonprofit dedicated to growing Rhode Island’s talent and workforce, hopes to aid in the success of these businesses. According to its mission, the organization’s future lies in building diverse pipelines by working with employers and management teams to grow and pinpoint present opportunities.

Thiam says, “It makes a difference in small businesses. Being able to have this experience and realize people actually want to support, it means the world to me. I’m really just living out my dreams because of the community.”

Read on for a full list of participating businesses, or visit providenceplace.com/store/ri-small-business-village for more information and hours.

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