Warren Walkabout is On for the Next Two Sundays

The Warren Walkabout brings the community out to enjoy the fall weather in front of the Square Peg. Photo by Jamie Coelho.

Prominent female leaders in the Warren retail and small business community gathered yesterday to kick off the eighteenth annual Warren Walkabout. The focus of the press conference involved the vital role women-owned businesses play in Warren’s economy during National Women Owned Small Business Month. The Walkabout celebrates local creativity and culture through art, music, food and commerce, bringing together community members near and far to uplift the town.

“Warren is fortunate to be home to countless women-owned businesses, many of which have become flagship storefronts for more than a decade,” says Keri Cronin, President of Discover Warren and co-owner of DISH, a women’s boutique on Water Street. “Their longevity and strength reflect the power of community support and growing opportunities available to women entrepreneurs at the state and federal levels. Our annual Walkabout showcases Warren‘s thriving downtown, uniting all sectors of our quaint and connected community.”

The Warren Walkabout will be held this Sunday (October 12 – rain or shine) and next Sunday (October 19). October 12 will feature free guided historic walking tours, and October 19 highlights a live mural painting. Festivities will include live local music, sidewalk sales, the grand opening of The Lady Next Door’s new location, mixed media art demonstrations, a free boat tour, craft fairs, kid-friendly activities, food pop-ups and more.

In addition, as a part of the Walkabout festivities, Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore has arranged to have a copy of the U.S. Declaration of Independence from the Rhode Island State Archives displayed for public viewing at the Historic Warren Armory on Sunday, October 19 from 1-3 p.m.

“The success of Warren’s business community is a testament to the resources and opportunities our state provides for entrepreneurs to start and sustain small businesses. Warren’s community-driven growth and strong network of women-owned businesses sets the precedent for the rest of the state,” said Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “The upcoming Warren Walkabout embodies the town’s spirit — its arts, culture and history as a whaling and shipbuilding port — and displaying a copy of the Declaration of Independence adds a meaningful connection to its proud past.”

Women-owned businesses continue to face unique challenges with access to capital, networking, mentorship and market opportunities. In Rhode Island, the Center for Women & Enterprise, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Association, offers consultations, workshops and networking to help women entrepreneurs overcome these hurdles. The state’s Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Office (MBECO) also advances certified Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises through advocacy and business assistance. These efforts align with national progress. According to the SBA, lending to women-owned small businesses has risen 70% since 2020, surpassing $5 billion in 2023, with 5% of federal contracts now reserved for women-owned businesses.

For a full schedule of events, visit discoverwarren.com/warren–walkabout.