Providence Shopping Tips by Pawtuxet Top 5 Page for this destination

Unique architecture...great views: Providence Place Mall

Here you will find Nordstrom's, J.Jill, Gap, Borders Books, Cheesecake Factory, Renovators Supply, Pottery Barn, jewelers, nail salons, gigantic movie theater, food court, game room, shoe stores, and the list goes on.
Be sure to go to the 2nd floor for the views out of the wall of glass. You can see the Waterfires from there...and the train & river running under the mall. . . 18th century architecture on the far hillside of the East Side.

Theme: Department Store

Tony's: Shop Italian

It's an Italian market on Federal Hill, but well worth visiting. You might find a pottery gift or some exquisite olive oil in a wonderful bottle to give as a gift to your favorite cook. You should pick up something for a snack later....or to make some sandwiches with great cold cuts and cheese. The story goes that they used to butcher their chickens out in the back of the store. Lots of stories like that around Federal HIll. Probably all true.

Just down the street is Venda Ravioli (details in another tip) and a wonderful little plaza with a restored fountain. It's called DePasquale Plaza. It's a busy spot in the warmer weather when the restaurants have tables outside.

What to buy: cheese, oils, breads, cold cuts....marvelous southern Italian food

Theme: Food and Drink

Yang's: Shop for Asian slippers or tea cups

Yang was there for many years ... making simple clothing and sewing bolster pillows out of silks. He was my favorite tailor. We would barter and laugh and be silly for about an hour before I finally bought something. He retired and now his daughters are running the shop. You can find Chinese tea sets, hand made paper, Chinese slippers, pillows, and some clothing. It's on Thayer Street so it's popular with the college crowd. Brown Univ and RI School of Design and Johnson & Wales Culinary college are all around that neighborhood. Fun place. Rest with a coffee at Starbuck's across the street.

What to buy: How about a paper light shade?

Theme: Other