Fain’s Carpets to Say Goodbye

Whether you measure it by its North Main Street location or the impact it has had on the decor of thousands of East Side homes, the Fain’s Rug & Carpet store has been an East Side institution for over 80 years. But they’ve lost their lease as of the end of the year and the store will be closing forever at that time. Owner Linda Fain says there are no current plans to re-open at another location, but beyond that the future is uncertain. (In the meantime, every rug in the store is on sale at big discounts.) The company was founded in the 1880s by Linda’s grandmother as a hardware store in the city’s Silver Lake section; family lore has it that she raised her ten children on the top two floors of the building that housed the store. The present location, the Fain’s name and the tradition of selling fine floor coverings were established in the 1920s.

Ring Ring Goes the Trolley

Now that traffic has been slowed down to one lane on each side of Blackstone Boulevard, it’s a great time for all of us to slow down and, along with smelling the roses, check out the Old Trolley Shelter. (In case you’re unaware, it’s the stand-alone old hut that sits in the median strip across from the entrance to Swan Point Cemetery). Once an adorable little shelter, the building was recently listed on Providence Preservation Society’s list of the City’s Ten Most Endangered Properties. The good news is that the Blackstone Parks Conservancy, a membership based organization that writes a regular column in our community news section and works with the Parks Department to maintain the Boulevard, has just initiated a campaign to raise $30,000 to restore the building by adding a new cedar roof, repointing the boulder walls and fixing the lattice work trim. Donations should be sent to the Trolley Shelter Fund at the Blackstone Parks Conservancy, PO Box 603141, Providence 02906. The old hut protected countless thousands over the decades. Repaying the favor, sounds most appropriate to us.

The Ives Have it.

Earlier this year, we ran a cover story on the “New” Ives Street. One of the older byways of Fox Point, the street recently seems to have come alive with new places to eat, meet and shop. Young entrepreneurs continue hard at work trying to gain a foothold into this delightfully diverse part of the East Side. That’s why we’re especially happy to report the arrival of a new coffee shop on Ives. Called Malachi’s, it will be run by Joshua Sousa who hopes it will serve as a meeting place for the neighborhood. Better still, say we somewhat selfishly, the new owners report it was our cover story that got them to begin investigating the place in the first place. Music to our ears… and we’re glad to have helped. Good luck and welcome to the neighborhood.

Bored? Then Think Board.

The YMCA is one of the cornerstone good guy (and gal) organizations of Providence. So when Executive Director Paula Reynolds-Jacobson called to say she’s looking for a Few Good Men (and Women) to help them as they expand their Board, how could we say no? The Y is looking for energetic, hard-working people from all specialties who share a desire to make a difference in their community. It’ll be hard work, but Paula promises “you’ll love every second of it!” Call the Y at 521-9622 if you think you can help.

Barrington Goes International

The International House of Rhode Island on Stimson Avenue is one of the under-appreciated treasures of the East Side. With a mandate to help temporary international visitors to our state-mostly students, their spouses, short term business visitors and the like-International House also provides language services, hosts social events and ethnic dinners and provides a place for Americans to learn more about foreign cultures as well. Founded 45 years ago by East Siders Billie and Gil Mason, the house has flourished under the more recent Board leadership of Dotty McCulloch. To celebrate its anniversary, I-House will host what it calls a “rollicking barn party” at 99 Adams Point Road in Barrington during the afternoon of October 19. There will be food, entertainment by the Providence Wholebellies, an ice cream social and a silent auction. Members from the old days, current supporters or anyone in between are invited. Call the House at 421-7181 or email www.members.cox.net/internationalhouse for more details. Sounds like a great way to see and experience the world just by staying local.

A First Rate FirstWorks

And while we’re on the subject of things international, time to tout a terrific relatively new addition to our generally vibrant local art scene. Now in its fourth year, the annual FirstWorks Festival brings an incredibly diverse array of international artists to Rhode Island every Fall. From Grammy Award winning Don Zanes to 14 dancers from Africa dancing to Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring to award-winning Bulgarian puppeteers to Momix, a Cirque du Soleil type group on steroids, it’s safe to say we’re all in for a wildly creative ride beginning October 2 and continuing into November. Call 421-4278 or contact them at www.first-works.org for ticket info and specific event dates and locations (all Providence-based). We guarantee this is one festival that’ll be quite unlike anything you’ve seen before. And luckily, we’ll be seeing it in our own backyard.

Things that Go Boo in the Zoo

While it no longer sponsors those spectacular pumpkin-carving festivals of a few years back, the Roger Williams Park Zoo hasn’t completely forgotten about us on Halloween. From October 5-26, the Zoo will be offering special Spooky Zoo Weekends that cater to the whole family. There will be live music, storytelling, wandering musicians and special trick or treat stations to keep the young ‘uns entertained. Children under 12 dressed in costume get in free too. If the spirits move you, call 785-3510 with specific questions.

Oops! Our Mistake.

We were quite excited to hear that the Providence Open Market was moving to its new home in Lippitt Park this September. That’s why we’re so surprised that we referred to it as the “downtown” market in the September calendar. Mistake or no, we’re thrilled to welcome the Providence Open Market to the East Side, and we look forward to artsy shopping next year!

– home –