Good morning 👋 ,

Today I’m gearing you up for the weekend.

A quick coffee (and croissant 🥐 ) review, is followed by 5 things you can do this weekend. I included a wide range of activities, and price points, that span the weekend. Make sure to check out the spooky 👻 building for sale downtown in the Coastal Commerce section.

I hope you enjoy it.

Coastal Cafe Chronicles

Where I Tried: Coffee Exchange (207 Wickenden St, Providence, RI 02903)

What I ordered: Small iced mocha with almond milk + chocolate croissant

What it cost: $10.31

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the order I always get when doing these reviews. I like to keep it consistent to keep the reviews fair. Iced mocha + chocolate croissant = go-to order.

As someone who enjoys strong coffee, I liked this mocha. It was pretty sweet but had an almost earthy aftertaste. The croissant was great as well. It wasn’t like some of the croissants you get that are cold with two bars of chocolate going through the middle. I also enjoy the atmosphere of Coffee Exchange. It can get busy, but other than that it’s very relaxing to hang around, and a good spot to do some work from your laptop.

The one thing stopping me from giving this 5 stars is the price. I’d love it if I could get a medium coffee for $10.31, but it’s no big deal.

Overall, I can confidently recommend Coffee Exchange, regardless of if you like strong or sweet coffee.

Currents & Waves

5 Things to Do This Weekend in Providence

You already read that whole cafe review. So. Let’s get right into it.

1. Go check out Coffee Exchange of course (cop-out, I know). Amy’s across the street has some great breakfast you can get to go along with your coffee as well.

2. Make a whole morning out of the Wickenden St. area by checking out the Providence Flea. You can walk down Wickenden St., cross the pedestrian bridge, and boom 💥 , you’re there. (It opens on Sunday at 10).

3. Need some nighttime plans? Check out WaterFire downtown. It’s at sundown on Saturday. It’s a great time, and they have music, food, and drinks.

4. This one might be unpopular. I get it. But I’ll say it anyway. Blackstone Boulevard is a great DIY 5k run. If you start next to India Restaurant, run to the other end where the lanes meet, and run back, you have completed a 5k. Or you could do the opposite. This can also be a nice walk if you’re not interested in running, especially on the path in the shade.

5. Last but not least, you can go on a Downcity Providence Food Tour. For $76, you will get 5-6 food tastings. Make that $94, and you’ll also get 3 alcohol tastings. You’ll walk from restaurant to restaurant over 3 hours tasting what downtown Providence has to offer! These tours happen Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.

Harbor Highlights

📸 A great evening shot of Westminster St.

Coastline Commerce

• $1 Million for an… abandoned building downtown? 👻 

• 🍦 Ice cream shop Helado Taiyaki closing and moving to Miami.

• Additional $12.7 million awarded for affordable housing construction.

• Partners in Wes’ Rib House are selling.

Seaside Skies

FRIDAY

84°🌡 64° | 🌥️ | 💧 24% | 💨 NE 7 mph

SATURDAY

81°🌡 66° | 🌥️ | 💧 12% | 💨 SSE 10 mph

SUNDAY

80°🌡 66° | 🌥️ | 💧 22% | 💨 SSE 10 mph

(The forecast as of the night before this newsletter was published.)

Sound Waves

FRIDAY

Courthouse Center for the Arts | Greg Piccolo and Heavy Juice | 7:30pm

Luigi’s Restaurant | Ron Giorgio | 6:30-9:30pm

Ladder 133 | Rotating Local Music | 6:30-9:30pm

Moonshine Alley | Chris Shelby | 9pm

SATURDAY

Aloft Providence Downtown | Live @ Aloft | 3-7pm

Luigi’s Restaurant | Steve Anthony Live | 6:30-9:30pm

Moonshine Alley | Michael Brennan, Okie and the Bandits | 5pm, 9pm

SUNDAY

No live music events are scheduled for Sunday.

Maritime Matches

FRIDAY

No sporting matches are scheduled for Friday.

SATURDAY

Newport Polo | Newport International Polo Series 2024 | USA vs. Jamaica | 5pm | Tickets

Beirne Stadium | Rhode Island FC vs. Oakland Roots SC | 7:30pm | Tickets

SUNDAY

No sporting matches are scheduled for Sunday.

That’s all for today…

Thank you for reading all the way through! Feel free to email us any questions, suggestions, or cafes you’d like to see reviewed next week.

Have a great, relaxed weekend. You’ll hear from us again on Monday.

Thanks,

Oscar Punchak | Publisher, PVD Current

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