Mayor Jorge Elorza today joined local businesses representatives and community members to relaunch Providence’s #ThinkPVD campaign encouraging residents and visitors to “think, shop and buy locally” in the City this holiday season.
“This Saturday as we celebrate Small Business Saturday nationwide– I encourage you to take advantage of the amazing local shops and restaurants we have here in Providence,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “As you shop this holiday season and throughout the year, I ask that you support our business community by continuing to #ThinkPVD when making all of your purchases.” This is the second year of the #ThinkPVD campaign which aims to build upon the success of Small Business Saturday by promoting celebration and support of the local economy.
#ThinkPVD is part of a larger effort to draw guests to the heart of Providence this holiday season. “This year, we are reinventing Providence’s winter holiday traditions by making the annual City Hall tree lighting the centerpiece of singing, shopping, and dining event on December 2. The celebration continues on Saturday, December 3 with the traditional Christmas tree lighting in the Alex + Ani Center, a performance by the Providence Gay Men’s Choir and demonstrations by champion ice skaters,” Director of the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, Stephanie Fortunato added as she highlighted other holiday happenings in Downtown in early December. “We hope Providence residents and visitors alike will join in the festivities.”
In addition to city programming, Providence is home to the state’s premier theaters and local talent. For ticket information and times of the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, visit Trinity Repertory’s website at www.trinityrep.com.
“As the State Theater of Rhode Island, we at Trinity Rep are thrilled to participate in the City of Providence’s Small Business Saturday and celebrate our local talent, economy, and artistry. We love our theatrical home downtown, in the heart of the Creative Capital, where we are currently running a critically-acclaimed production of A Christmas Carol– a New England holiday tradition that warms the hearts of thousands every year.”
Business owners, shoppers and diners are encouraged to share their experiences this season using the hashtag #ThinkPVD on social media. As part of the campaign, Mayor Elorza announced today that there will be two hours of free parking in designated commercial districts throughout Providence. Shoppers will be offered two hours of free parking every day from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (where indicated until 9 p.m.) beginning Friday, November 25, 2016 through Monday, January 1, 2017 in the following commercial districts:
• Atwells Avenue – Bradford Street to Knight Street
• Spruce Street – Dean Street to Acorn Street
• Dean Street – Atwells Ave to West Exchange Street
• Acorn Street – Spruce Street to Atwells Avenue
• Bradford Street – Atwells Avenue to Jones Street
• Bond Street – Atwells Avenue to Spruce Street
• Broad Street – Public Street to Montgomery Street
• Downtown Providence – bounded by Fountain Street, Memorial Boulevard, Weybosset Street, Empire Street and Friendship Street (from Dyer Street to Dorrance Street)
• Hope Street – Rochambeau Avenue to Blackstone Boulevard
• North Main Street – Thomas Street to Park Row
• Olneyville Square – Route 10 to Sydney Street and Delaine Street to Atwood Street to Magnolia Street
• South Main Street – James Street to Packet Street
• Point St – From Eddy to East Franklin St
• Thayer Street – Bowen Street to Waterman Street
• Wayland Square – East Angell Street/Angell Street to Gano Street and Wayland Avenue from Angell Street to Pitman Street
• Wickenden/Ives – Wickenden Street at Benefit Street to Ives Street at Preston Street
The holiday parking program is designed to make it easier for shoppers to patronize local businesses.
While parking meter violations will not be issued during free 2-hour parking in the specified districts, 2-hour parking limits will be enforced to allow all residents to take advantage of the campaign.