CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — Garden City Center is starting to fill some of the vacant stores at their outdoor shopping area.
They will also be adding a farmer’s market.
“We’re very excited to have even more stores opening here at Garden City Center,” said General Manager Joe Koechel.
Work is underway to make room for Garden City Center’s five newest businesses.
NBC 10’s Temi-Tope Adeleye reports from Garden City Center. (WJAR)
Boston-based business Anna Taqueria will be stationed at the old Boston Market here next to Dunkin, serving authentic Mexican food.
PolkaDog Treat Bakery, Kendra Scott jewelry, and J. Maclaughlin clothing will be inside the old Chico’s store, beside Banana Republic.
Evereve women’s clothing store is also on the list, but it doesn’t have a location yet.
Stephanie Mastroianni spent her Tuesday afternoon with family at Garden City Center. She said it has transformed over the years.
“I feel like it’s fantastic that it’s really up-and-coming from the years that I grew up coming here, when I was their age,” said Mastroianni. “I just remember just the Newport Creamery and very few stores and this is like a whole other world. It’s great.”
There will also be a farmer’s market starting next month. It will be run by Rhode Foody and RI Night Market.
“On Sundays from May 18, to Sept. 28, every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the gazebo. We’ll have 30 to 40 different types of vendors,’ said Koechel. “It’s not only fruits and vegetables. It’s different crafts, curators, we’ll even have a little bit of a beer garden.”
Garden City Center is 90% leased out with a few vacancies, but that will change.
“Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza had left. They had financial difficulties throughout their whole company. So, we’ll be naming someone for that space. Obviously last fall we had the unfortunate fire at Applebee’s and at Bistro, we’ll be replacing those two restaurants with other restaurants in the future,” said Koechel. “Then Party City as we all know closed throughout the country, so we’re working. We have a lot of interest in that space.”
Koechel said it’s important to have a good ratio of restaurants, to keep up with the state’s growing and popular culinary scene.
NBC 10 asked Koechel if the Applebee’s and Bistro 22 will be demolished.
Boston-based business Anna Taqueria will be stationed at the old Boston Market here next to Dunkin, serving authentic Mexican food. (WJAR)
“We’re working with engineers and insurance companies as quickly as possible to make a determination on what needs to be done for that area,” said Koechel. “But we are looking forward to bringing back two new restaurants into that area. We already have Chaska and Kaffeology. It’s a beautiful courtyard in that area and we love having all of those restaurants in that area for people to choose.
Skin Spa New York is no longer coming to GCC, so that space and Anthony’s will be consolidated into one space for a new restaurant.
Mastroianni’s children Evelyn and Marcello said they would like to see a clock or candy store.
Mastroianni said an indoor entertainment for kids would also be a nice addition.
The five new businesses are expected to open this Fall.
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