Newport Creamery said Monday that its location at Garden City Center will close Dec. 28, sooner than previously thought.
NBC 10’s Temi-Tope Adeleye reports that Newport Creamery’s Cranston location will close Dec. 28, much earlier than anticipated.
The store has been a fixture in the Cranston shopping center for more than 60 years.
“We are deeply saddened to leave Garden City after six decades of memories, celebrations, and connections with generations of Rhode Islanders,” The Jan Companies, Newport Creamery’s owner, said in a release. “This location has meant so much to our customers and our team, and we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has visited us over the years.”
Hourly paid employees can choose to work at another Newport Creamery location.
Managers don’t have that privilege, but the company will work with them to relocate to a Newport Creamery closest to their home.
Newport Creamery said in August that Garden City owner WS Development decided not to renew the restaurant’s lease. The restaurant chain said then that it expected to the store to stay open into next year.
“This is terrible. I mean, it’s bad enough they were going to do it next year, but this year? I mean, it’s a month before Christmas, come on,” said Ann Marie Bartley.
The chain said WS is executing a clause in the lease that says it can end the lease early if construction is planned.
“They stuck in the line, a small little line, that says if we develop one of our big anchor stores, we can throw you out within 90 days,” said state Rep. Charlene Lima.
The Newport Creamery at Garden City Center in Cranston is shown Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. The restaurant lost its lease and will close in 18 months. (WJAR)
WS Development has not said what is going in the restaurant’s place.
Customers say getting rid of affordable and traditional businesses like this one is not what they want.
“The shops keep getting a little more expensive, a little more expensive, and now we’re losing Newport Creamery,” said Carol Provencal.
Newport Creamery will have nine locations after the Cranston store closes. Jan hopes to find a new location elswhere in the city.
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