Urban Vintage Bazaar! Sunday, April 7th

This coming Sunday, April 7th is the semi-annual Urban Vintage Bazaar!  It takes place from 10:00 to 5:00 at the Arcade Providence, featuring over 25 vendors of vintage goods under one roof for one day!  Parking is free and the event is rain or shine - see you there!  Click here for all details: https://www.facebook.com/events/806628739694184/

A Little Retail History: Providence, Rhode Island

Over the past holiday season, I produced a pair of Providence Retail History Tote Bags, and, was fortunate to be interviewed by, and, featured on Country Living On-line.  In preparation for both tasks, I did a bit of research on the retail history of Providence.  There is still MUCH to add and learn, but, I wanted to share some of what I gathered, that did not make it into the CL piece, here with you!

The former "Tri-Store Bridge" is still visible from Westminster Street. It formerly connected the Shepard Store, Gladdings, and, Cherry & Webb to allow shoppers access to all three without going back outside. 

Although currently home to the University of Rhode Island's downtown campus, this lovely building retains a neon sign on Washington Street, and, the iconic "Shepard's Clock" on Westminter as a reminder of its retail history.

Most Rhode Islanders are aware of the former status of Providence as the major retail destination on the East Coast for decades.  Until suburban shopping malls became the norm, and, driving yourself to a parking lot replaced taking public transportation downtown, a visit to downtown Providence was usually a retail treat.

An image at Mathewson and Westminster facing east, not long after the turn of the previous century shows a bustling mid-day shopping center downtown.

The Outlet Company was the biggest store downtown and drew people for Christmas as well as throughout the year.  Sadly, a fire destroyed the building in 1986, creating the space that is now the main green for Johnson & Wales University.  Photo credit: Jack Delano; circa 1940,  courtesy of Library of Congress.

1906 "Meet Me at the Outlet" Postcard

A bustling Christmas season Westminster Streets shows the Shepard's Clock, shoppers galore, and a block full of independent movie theaters and retail stores.  Photo credit: Jack Delano; circa 1940,  courtesy of Library of Congress.

It's hard for those who did not grow up in Rhode Island to imagine the past, and, it is just as hard for those who grew up in the state to reconcile the present.  For this reason we should embrace and share the history so that it is not lost.  To help put some of the history in context, here are some then & now composites to educate, excite and confound you!

As the top Edwardian postcard says, this is indeed Dorrance at Weybosset looking West up Weybosset.  Note the location of the Outlet Company compared to the current location of Johnson & Wales.

Again looking west from Dorrance but this time up Westminster.  Note that you can still see the name Kresge's cast into that building currently under renovation.  Also, the large window that showcased the Fur Department at Peerless (this actually predates Peerless and still would have been The Boston Store).  The window is now a unique feature of one of the Westminster Lofts in the Peerless Residential building. 

Westminster at Union facing West.  This image is somewhat confusing because the artist's illustration of the Callender, McAuslan & Troup Building (which later housed the Boston Store, and, Peerless Department Store, and, at one point I believe Lupo's?) takes liberties with the building at the back to which he added an additional level.  That building actually was only five stories, and, two stories were added above at some point.  All of these buildings are now one, unified mixed-use space with retail, restaurants, architectural firms and design firms on the street level and residential units above.  Note: the main level houses a gallery and is open to the public during business hours.  The original Peerless sign, formerly on the building's exterior, is now on display in the lobby. 

Directly across the street at Westminster and Union facing South is another former department store now mixed-use.  This was the O'Gorman Building which housed "The Big Store" and later "Dimonds."

Interior view of Dimond's. 

From the same corner of Westminster and Union Street turn and look east.  The Boston Store/Peerless would have been to the left, you can see the Providence Journal Building ahead and what is most jarring is the absence of the Industrial Trust Building ("Superman Building") which has not yet been built. 

A closer view of The Providence Journal building also shows the sign for Liggetts, the pharmacy that occupied the entire first floor for decades.  Noon-day shopping "crowd" indeed!  The view looks so odd without the skyscraper to define it.

The name "Hall & Lyon" is used alongside the name Liggetts in other images.  Liggett is the person who founded United Drug Stores to consolidate under the Rexall name.

At the other end of Westminster, at Mathewson Street, stood Gladdings. 

Grace Church is always a useful landmark in determining where you are in old images of downtown.  Here, we are in a section of Westminster that is a bit quieter at the moment than it was 100 years ago!  Tom's Bao Bao and The Malted Barley are just out of sight to the right. 

Step backwards one block and you can see the previous view in more context.  Liggetts must have been the CVS of it's day in this busy downtown as there is a second location only four blocks from the main location.

Liggetts showing the Hall & Lyon name as well.  Image courtesy Providence Public Library Picture Collection.

The postcard to the left is a little more recent than the others I have shown here.  It likely dates to the 1940's given the cars, clothing styles, sailors on leave and the completed Industrial Trust at the background. You can just see Gladdings at the far left, Cherry & Webb, then Shepards is beyond that.  The Boston Store can be seen further across Union, which was followed at the same location by Peerless. 

One last look East down Westminster.  The Shepard Building is always unmistakable.  Grant's Block pre-dates Grants but is full of retail stores.  No Industrial Trust and a very green East Side.

The Shepard Cafeteria!  So many locals recall this fondly.

During the mid-to late part of the 20th century, Westminster Street was paved over as a pedestrian walkway from Dorrance Street to Mathewson Street! 

Of course, having a retail store in the Arcade Providence gives me a soft spot for the location; but what a location it is!  It is the oldest indoor shopping mall in the country; on the National Register of Historic Places, is built from New England granite, fronts two main thoroughfares, survived three major downtown hurricane floods and is downright beautiful.  And, most interestingly, although it has of course changed many times during the almost 200 years it has been in operation, it always manages to still look very much the same.  I am not composing a history of the Arcade here; many already exist.  Just including it as the last section of this small tribute to the retail history of Providence.

One of the earliest photos I've seen of the Arcade.  Although you can only see a tiny bit of it to the left, it looks identical to today, but, you can see the 19th century buildings to the right of it that truly help date the image. Image is housed in the collection of the Providence Public Library. 

Our Providence Retail History Totes have arrived!

 

Ready to take you shopping anyplace you choose, these totes are also designed to take you down memory lane!  Each features a motif of logos of the downtown Providence, Rhode Island department stores that once made this area the retail destination of the East Coast.  Peerless, Gladdings, Shepards, Cherry & Webb and The Outlet Company are just a few included.  These make the perfect stocking stuffer (the nylon shopper collapses into a 4" x 5" drawstring pouch!) or holiday gift for someone who recalls the stores "back in the day" or who may just be getting to know the history of Providence now. 

Nylon Shopper $12 in our Etsy shop here, or, at our downtown Providence location in the Historic Arcade.   Cotton Canvas Gusseted Shoulder Tote $18 in our Etsy shop here or also at our downtown location.  

We've Opened a Retail Store!

On "Black Friday" 2013, Carmen & Ginger opened its first retail location at the historic Arcade in downtown Providence, RI!

We apologize for our absence from blogging.  After returning to work full time it became difficult to put together the posts we had enjoyed creating in the past.  Now that we are 100% devoted to the "vintage biz" we plan to resume blogging soon.  For now, follow us on facebook where we post daily.

We have two large cases of jewelry at the new store, showcasing Rhode Island made Coro and Trifari mid-century pieces as well as many many other pieces from the 1930's through to the 1970's.

We are also excited to carry New England made jewelry from three local artists who make new pieces from vintage items.  Ariana Porreca, Sue from La De Dah Jewelry, and Lily from Memory Relics are represented in this case.  In addition to jewelry, we carry bags made from vintage fabrics created by Gina of Gina's Creations.  In our clothing department, we are also fortunate to feature the upscale stylings from Michelle of The Red Velvet Shoe, and, the fun and festive from Val of The Fox Affect.  (PS: Val also works at the shop two days a week!)

We have had a huge response to our selection of vintage cameras and vintage camera-related items, so, we constantly add to this inventory to keep you coming back!

 

Our clothing selections will change with the seasons.  Right now, our windows feature a 1970's ski bunny in a Jean Claude Killy jacket, vintage Apres Ski boots, and a 1978 Rainbow Polaroid One-Step while her friend shows off fringed boots and a rabbit fur coat.

We are constantly changing our selection of interior items as well!  Right now we are featuring items related to travel...as in "travel away from these sub-zero temperatures!"  Or, well, at least think about it.

Our location is an historical wonder, noted on the National Register of Historic Places.  If you visit, you will not only find a great selection of vintage at Carmen & Ginger, but, you will be able to grab a great meal, coffee, cupcake or whiskey, have your hair or eyebrows done, get your bike tuned up, and shop for on-trend clothing that range from custom couture to bespoke finery to second-hand designer and smart and sexy fun!  There are fine jewels handcrafted locally, art of Africa, crafts and jewelry of the Southwest and upscale gifts for everyone.  A day of shopping in an historic building - what a treat!

Oh, and just for the record, we have not forgotten about our Etsy shop.  We will get that spruced up with new items weekly by the end of this month as well!  Keep watching...you do not want to miss anything...