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Good morning, Providence. This is PVD Current, the newsletter that’s as satisfying as the crunch of autumn leaves beneath your feet. 🍂 

What to expect in today’s Current:

• 15+ events happening this weekend 🤩 

• Sydney PVD highlight ☕️

• No new gas stations (potentially) ⛽️

Let’s get to it.

— Oscar Punchak

Coastal Cafe Chronicles

Where I Tried: Sydney Providence (400 Exchange St, Providence, RI 02903)

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

What it cost: $11.77

Although last week I said this was no longer my go-to order, I got it again this week. Providence has two Sydney’s, the one I visited, and one on Thayer Street. The one I visited is a nice spot to hang out and eat or drink, but parking is very difficult. Thankfully I was there early in the morning on Sunday so I didn’t have too much trouble. $11.77 is on the steeper side of places I’ve visited but you get a nice cup that you can reuse and the small is pretty big (they might only have one size). I liked my coffee and croissant and plan on checking the one on Thayer out as well. I recommend visiting this spot but just plan on where to put your car - maybe you could combine the visit with a trip to the mall.

Reply to this email with how many guesses it took you!

Currents & Waves

⛽️ No New Gas Stations in Providence

At a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan, the Committee on Ordinances approved an amendment to prohibit the construction of new gas stations in Providence, replacing language that originally "discouraged" them. Introduced by Senior Deputy Majority Leader John Goncalves, this makes Providence the first East Coast city to implement such a ban, aligning with the city’s climate goals to promote hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as sustainable land use. The amendment is part of a broader set of changes to the city's plan, with the final hearing set for October 16.

Francesco’s Second Location 🍕 

Francesco’s, a pizzeria on Hope Street, just announced they will be opening a second location. The second location will be in North Providence at 1385 Mineral Spring Ave. The new location is expected to be open “this holiday season.” Francesco’s opened up on Hope Street during the Pandemic and has won Providence Pizza Week awards two years in a row. Francesco’s is also on PVD Current’s list of our top 5 spots to get a slice in Providence which you can check out here.

Most Expensive Condo Ever Sold in PVD? 🏡 

At the end of last month, the Wayland area condo sold. This 4 bed, 5 bath, 4,000 sqft. condo is the most expensive condo to ever sell in Providence since 2009. It was listed on September 3rd for $1,850,000 and was pending sale 3 days later. It sold officially on the 30th for $2 million. This townhouse near Wayland Square includes detailed moldings, 9-foot beamed ceilings, and hardwood floors. The layout offers an open living and dining area with a gas fireplace, a renovated kitchen with custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, high-end appliances, a 6-burner Wolf stove, and a walk-in pantry. Other features include a family room, a primary suite with a new bath and dressing room, two additional bedrooms, a skylit 3rd-floor bedroom, a finished lower level with a bar and exercise room, multiple patios, a garden, and a 2-car garage.

Weekend Events

• 🧙‍♀️ Halloween III: Season of the Witch | 7PM, Oct 11 (Learn more)

  • Location: Buttonwoods Brewery

  • Description: Wear a mask, watch Halloween III, and eat from a themed menu!

• 💀 Till Death - Painting Class | 7PM, Oct 11 (Get tickets)

  • Location: Paint & Vino

  • Description: Paint your own masterpiece and sip a complimentary drink! 

• 🥕 Hope Street Farmers Market | 9AM, Oct 12

  • Location: Corner of Hope St. and Blackstone Blvd.

  • Description: A farmer-run co-op featuring top Rhode Island farmers and food artisans, offers a variety of fresh, locally grown, and made products.

• 🥬 Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market | 9AM, Oct 12

  • Location: Rhodes on the Pawtuxet

  • Description: One of the oldest farmer’s markets in Rhode Island.

• 🎃 Giant Pumpkin Growers Weigh Off | 9AM, Oct 12 (Learn more)

  • Location: Frerichs Farm (43 Kinnicutt Ave.)

  • Description: Featuring kid-friendly activities, $2 Pumpkin and Dragon Rides, live music, and food trucks, as we await 2024’s heaviest pumpkin!

• 🕯️ Wickenden Street Makers Market | 11AM, Oct 12 (Learn more)

  • Location: Wickenden Street, between Brooke & Traverse Street

  • Description: Over 50 local artists and small businesses will showcase their unique crafts and products, while attendees enjoy food trucks, a beer and cocktail tent, and live vinyl DJ music, creating a fun, all-ages celebration of creativity and community in Providence.

• 💍 Jewelry District Fall Festival | 12PM, Oct 12 (Learn more)

  • Location: The District RI

  • Description: Family event featuring over 35 vendors, food, shopping, and activities like face and pumpkin painting, with live music by Angelena & The Unit at 1 PM.

• 🍁 Autumnfest | 10AM, Oct 12 - 14 (Learn more)

  • Location: WWII Memorial Park

  • Description: A weekend festival in Woonsocket, RI filled with music, crafts, food, amusement rides, and a parade.

• 📣 Pronk Fest - Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration | 11AM, Oct 13 (Learn More)

  • Location: The Met High School lawn

  • Description: A family-friendly outdoor festival that blends activism, music, and art, featuring brass bands, percussion ensembles, and performers focused on justice.

• 😘 It’s A Date - Comedy Dating Show | 7:30PM, Oct 13 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Hide Speakeasy

  • Description: Four volunteering singles go on a blind date, blindfolded. Ages 21+.

• 🇮🇹 Federal Hill Columbus Day Festival | Oct 11 - 14 (Learn more)

  • Location: Federal Hill

  • Description: Enjoy 80+ food, art, and retail vendors, games, and amusement rides, along with live entertainment on three stages and special menu items from 26 Federal Hill restaurants.

• 🎃 Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular | Oct 11 - Nov 2 (Learn more)

  • Location: Roger Williams Park Zoo

  • Description: Join the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular – Trivia Edition at Roger Williams Park Zoo to enjoy trivia and thousands of carved pumpkins!

• 🌳 Roger Williams Park Events | Oct 11 - Oct 14 (Learn more)

  • Location: Roger Williams Park

  • Description: Every day RWP offers events and activities to get active in the park. Click “Learn more” above to view their event calendar for this weekend.

If you got this far please check us out on Instagram and give us a follow @PVDCurrent!

Seaside Skies

FRIDAY

67° 🌡 53° | ☀️ | 💧 5% | 💨 WNW 11 mph

SATURDAY

71° 🌡 41° | ☀️ | 💧 1% | 💨 WNW 15 mph

SUNDAY

58° 🌡 52° | 🌧️ | 💧 47% | 💨 ENE 8 mph

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

Sound Waves

FRIDAY

Ladder 133 | Local Music | 6:30pm

Courthouse Center for the Arts | Deep Purple - Stormbringer | 8pm | Get tickets

Moonshine Alley | American Honey | 9pm

SATURDAY

Courthouse Center for the Arts | Frankie & Dean One for the Road - Jimmy Mazz | 1:30pm | Get tickets

Moonshine Alley | Matt Borrello | 5pm

Luigi's Restaurant | Ron Giorgio | 6pm

Jamestown Arts Center | Wesley Stace | 7pm | Get tickets

Moonshine Alley | Whiskey Princess | 9:30pm

Maritime Matches

FRIDAY

🏒 Amica Mutual Pavilion | Providence Bruins Opening Night | 7pm | Get tickets

SATURDAY

No sporting events scheduled

SUNDAY

⚽️ Beirne Stadium | Rhode Island FC vs. Loudoun United FC | 4pm | Get tickets

That’s all for today…

Thank you for reading all the way through! Feel free to email us with any questions or suggestions. You’ll hear from us again on Monday.

Thanks,

Oscar Punchak | Publisher, PVD Current