Main Street: A Power of Place Podcast

Grow Smart RI
  • 5.0 (6)
  • NON-PROFIT

Join us as we travel to Main Streets across the state to explore what makes these distinctive gathering places for commerce and community so special, and to learn how we can strengthen them.

Episodes

  1. Navigating Change (With Helen Baskerville-Dukes and Dwayne Keys)

    3D AGO

    Navigating Change (With Helen Baskerville-Dukes and Dwayne Keys)

    Welcome to Mount Hope in Providence!  Helen Baskerville-Dukes and Dwayne Keys, leaders of the Mount Hope Community Center Business Alliance (and partipants of our Main Street Learning Cohort!), chat about their new initiative to support local entrepreneurship. We discuss the importance of community centers in supporting needs, navigating gentrification and displacement of residents, and building up the local main street community.  Show Notes: Mount Hope Community Center: http://www.mhccri.org/ Billy Taylor Park: https://share.google/7d2F0lvmuAQVPpI32 Mount Hope Learning Center: https://mthopelc.org/ Oak Bakeshop: https://www.oakbakeshop.com/ Holy Name Church: https://holynameprovidence.org/ Frank & Laurie's: https://www.frankandlauries.com/ Main Street RI Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/ Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp

    17 min
  2. Taking the Leap (with Alex DiGregorio)

    FEB 6

    Taking the Leap (with Alex DiGregorio)

    Welcome to Centredale in North Providence! Alexandria DiGregorio, owner of North Providence's newest bookshop, shares her journey of opening a brick & mortar, the challenges and triumphs of being a young entrepreneur on a main street, and the importance of books in building social connection.  Show Notes: Forget Me Not Fables Bookshop: https://forgetmenotfables.com/ The Valley Breeze Article: https://www.valleybreeze.com/news/north-providence-getting-a-bookstore-forget-me-not-fables/article_9b773189-a709-4e48-97f4-5d0d53506b00.html Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce: https://www.nrichamber.com/ North Providence Town Hall: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zgcdr94fZNU3XLeCA Sweet Deliveries Bakery: https://sweet-deliveries.com/ Cook & Dagger: https://www.cookanddagger.com/ Rhode Island Billiard Bar & Bistro: https://www.ribbb.com/ Main Street RI Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/ Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp

    16 min
  3. Season 2 Announcement

    11/24/2025

    Season 2 Announcement

    Learn more about Main Street RI: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/ Apply to join our RI Main Street Learning Cohort: https://growsmartri.org/ri-main-street-learning-cohort/ Email us: podcast@growsmartri.org See you in January for Season 2!

    1 min
  4. Bridging Generations (with Sara Breslin)

    10/17/2025

    Bridging Generations (with Sara Breslin)

    Register for our first annual Rhode Island Main Street Conference! Welcome to Wakefield in South Kingstown! Sara Breslin, secretary of the Wakefield Village Association, shares the process of planning their annual Halloween Stroll, the importance of hosting events for all ages, and the rewarding nature of hyperlocal work. Show Notes: Wakefield Village Association: https://www.wakefieldvillageassociation.com/ Sara Breslin: https://www.sarabreslin.com/ South County Bread Company: https://www.southcountybread.com/ Birch and Bay: https://www.birchandbayri.com/ Brickleys Ice Cream: https://www.brickleys.com/ Saugatucket Park: https://www.southkingstownri.gov/facilities/facility/details/Saugatucket-Park-7 The Glass Station: https://www.theglassstationstudio.com/ The Joyce: https://thejoyceri.com/ Caf Bar: https://www.cafbarri.com/ Main Street RI Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/ Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp

    16 min
  5. Shaping a Legacy (with Paul Durfee)

    10/03/2025

    Shaping a Legacy (with Paul Durfee)

    Register for our first annual Rhode Island Main Street Conference! Welcome to Rolfe Square in Cranston! Paul Durfee, third-generation owner of Durfee Hardware, discusses sustaining a family business through the years, the importance of building relationships with community members and municipal leaders, and the rich history of Rolfe Square.  Show Notes: Durfee Hardware: https://durfeehardware.com/ The Park Theatre: https://theparkri.com/ Park Senate Barber: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CiaMU13FbAWF3Av89 Bettola Pizzaria: https://www.bettola.com/ Mesa Cafe and Grill: https://mesacafeandgrille.com/ Alani's Bistro: https://alanisbistro.com/ Main Street RI Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/ Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp

    14 min
  6. Fostering Curiosity (with Amelia Olson)

    09/19/2025

    Fostering Curiosity (with Amelia Olson)

    Welcome to Riverside Square in East Providence! Amelia Olson, owner of Tall Tumbleweed Modern & Vintage, explores the importance of small business support, curiosity as a healing force, and community-led revitalization in East Providence's Riverside Square. Show Notes: Tall Tumbleweed: https://www.talltumbleweed.com/ Borealis Coffee: https://www.borealiscoffee.com/ Union Square Bistro: https://www.unionsquarebistro.com/ Myrtle: https://www.givemyrtle.com/ Spooky Bottom Bridge (Troll!): https://maps.app.goo.gl/QTNpxPRvkJM24zT17 The Outsider: https://www.theoutsiderep.com/ Honeybird: https://honeybirdri.com/ Sacred Cow Ice Cream (Monroe Dairy): https://sacredcowicecreamshop.com/hours-directions/ Main Street RI Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/ Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp

    17 min
  7. Cultivating Belonging (with Devon Mello)

    09/05/2025

    Cultivating Belonging (with Devon Mello)

    Welcome to the Broadway District in Newport! Devon Mello, Artistic Director at the Firehouse Theater, discusses the benefits of growing up near Broadway, how the neighborhood has changed, and the significance of live entertainment in promoting social connectedness.  Show Notes: Devon Mello: https://www.devonmello.com/ The Firehouse Theater & Bit Players: https://www.firehousetheater.org/ Empire Tea & Coffee: https://www.empireteaandcoffee.com/ Caleb & Broad: https://calebandbroad.com/ House of Waves Gallery: https://houseofwavesnpt.com/ Chase Ceglie (local musician): https://www.chaseceglie.com/bio Main Street RI Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/ Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp

    16 min
  8. Amplifying Community Voice (with Cindy Miranda)

    08/22/2025

    Amplifying Community Voice (with Cindy Miranda)

    Welcome to the Olneyville neighborhood in Providence! President of the Olneyville Neighborhood Association (ONA) Cindy Miranda shares about ONA's diverse programming, how the neighborhood is changing, and the importance of centering community voice.  Show Notes: Olneyville Neighborhood Association: https://www.ona-providence.org/ Antojitos De Mi Tierra: https://maps.app.goo.gl/26uJseryMfxGUqzB9 Orale Taqueria: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N1TjtKcCe1YmuKRa9 Big Top Flea Market: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gbChdz2oMvbyT2wW8 Family Cake Bakery: https://www.facebook.com/TheFamilyCake/ Fete Music Hall: https://www.fetemusic.com/ Wes's Ribhouse: https://www.wesribhouse.com/ Main Street RI Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/ Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp

    17 min
  9. Preserving Place (with Charlie Wilson)

    08/07/2025

    Preserving Place (with Charlie Wilson)

    Welcome to Chepachet Village, a historic district in the town of Glocester!  Local business owner and history buff Charlie Wilson shares about his experiences restoring and protecting a historic building, spearheading community engagement events, and modernizing while maintaining a place's unique historic character.  Show Notes: The Town Trader: https://www.thetowntrader.com/ Candlelight Shopping: https://www.candlelightshopping.com/ Scarecrow Festival: https://glocesterscarecrowfestival.com/ The Village Bean: https://www.facebook.com/villagebeancafe/ Tavern on Main: https://tavernonmainri.com/ Glocester Economic Development Commission: https://www.glocesteredc.org/ Main Street RI Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/ Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp

    17 min
  10. Promoting a Renaissance (with Keno Mullings)

    07/25/2025

    Promoting a Renaissance (with Keno Mullings)

    Welcome to the Black Block, a cultural district in downtown Pawtucket!  Local entrepreneur Keno Mullings shares about his experiences opening and marketing his new business, the importance of stimulating entrepreneurship, and the challenges inherent to revitalizing and reimagining a downtown district.  Show Notes: The Main Oasis: https://www.facebook.com/mainoasismarket The Black Block Community Foundation: https://www.blackblockcommunityfoundation.org/ Latin Touch Barbershop: https://www.instagram.com/latintouchbarbershop_/ Angela's Beauty Salon: https://www.facebook.com/p/Angelas-100063664865130/ Still on Main (Still on Main Pizza & The Backyard): https://www.stillonmain.shop/ Berbena 21: https://www.instagram.com/berbena_21/?hl=en Seed Cafe: https://www.seedcaferi.com/ Harvest Kitchen: https://www.farmfreshri.org/programs/harvest-kitchen/ George Wiley Center: https://www.georgewileycenter.org/ Main Street RI Website: https://growsmartri.org/main-street-ri/ Mailing List: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kOxcWFp

    16 min
  11. Main Street Trailer

    07/11/2025

    Main Street Trailer

    Main Street: A Power of Place Podcast

    1 min
  • 11 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Join us as we travel to Main Streets across the state to explore what makes these distinctive gathering places for commerce and community so special, and to learn how we can strengthen them.

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