There are many things that make the East Side special. A knack for creating an environment for living and working communities is just one of them, and a big one at that. Hope Street is crawling with local clothing stores, eateries and knick-knack shops. Wickenden and South and North Main Streets boast the same. And then there’s Ives Street, a conduit from the heart of the East Side into Fox Point.
There is a slew of mainstay shops on Ives Street as well as a resurgence of businesses like the East Side Creamery, which is now the East Side Creamery and Pizzeria. I spoke with the new owner George Forte, and he is thrilled to add to the vitality of this community. He’s a born and bred Rhode Islander who’s spent the last seven years working – and succeeding – in Manhattan. But as his two girls have gotten older, he’s realized that he is needed at home.
His focus with East Side Creamery and Pizzeria is to add to the mom and pop joints that dot Ives Street. This is of paramount importance to him, especially after seeing the corporatization of Manhattan. To him, Ives Street is reminiscent of old Brooklyn, a place he loves, and his goal is to feature and support as many local producers as possible. “If I can find a small vendor, I’ll go out of my way to highlight them,” George emotes. “I want that feel to be here. I want to make everyone proud of this place.”
He’s trying to recreate a childhood memory with East Side Creamery and Pizzeria. Memories of cheerful, local business men and women that run a destination eatery that the whole family can come to and have a wholesome time. That’s what he’s been missing, so that’s what he created. 170 Ives Street, Providence. 865-6088
Hail to the Cheese
“Oh I’ll only have one cube of cheese,” said no one ever. Perhaps you were being polite when you declined extra cheese; perhaps you were embarrassed to be caught in a hedonistic cheese frenzy. Well, frenzy on at the American Cheese Society’s annual Festival of Cheese. Yes, this exists, and yes, it’s open to the public. On August 1 say good-bye to politely declining cheese and plow full-steam-ahead with an all out sampling of over 1,600 American artisan and specialty chees.es. To top it off, there will be plenty of accompaniments to the cheese including charcuterie plates, honey, ciders and more. $60. 7-9:30pm. Rhode Island Convention Center. 1 Sabin Street, Providence.
The Dog Days Aren’t Over
Hot dogs are not just reserved for backyard festivities, nor should they be. On August 4 and 18 head over to Aurora from 5-7pm for their Downcity Dog Days. InDowncity has teamed up with Aurora for free hot dogs, drink specials and barbecue-related events like bean bag tosses and ping pong. Oh and they’ll have some giveaways for local retailers and restaurants. So you should probably head over there and have, like, a good time, or whatever. 276 Westminster Street, Providence.
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