Mayor Elorza Relaunches #ThinkPVD Campaign, Free Holiday Parking for Shoppers
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge Elorza today joined PVDonuts owners Lori & Paul
Kettelle, the City’s Director of Art, Culture + Tourism Stephanie Fortunato and
community members to relaunch #ThinkPVD and announce free holiday parking ahead of
Small Business Saturday being observed Saturday, November 25. #ThinkPVD is a
campaign encouraging residents and visitors to «think, shop and buy locally» all
year but especially during the busy holiday season.
«Small Business Saturday reminds us of just how important it is to support our local
business community,» said Mayor Jorge Elorza. «As families prepare for their holiday
shopping, we urge them to #ThinkPVD and make sure to visit some of our outstanding
shops and restaurants. Supporting these businesses is a direct investment in our
neighborhoods.»
The announcement was made at PVDonuts’ retail space in the Fox Point neighborhood.
The shop has earned great praise since launching as Rhode Island’s first specialty
donut shop in May. PVDonuts is recognized for its hand-made brioche style yeasted
donuts and a monthly rotating menu with seasonal offerings.
«As a growing small business, PVDonuts is thrilled to support this initiative by
Mayor Elorza to encourage shoppers to frequent places like ours,» said PVDonuts
owner Lori Kettelle. «We offer a great variety of some of the best tasting donuts
around and during the holiday season we even offer a specialty donut that cannot be
missed. Please stop by and fuel up before tackling your holiday gift list.»
According to the United States Small Business Administration there are currently 28
million small businesses in the United States, representing more than 99 percent of
American companies, creating two-thirds of the net new jobs and generating half of
private gross domestic product.
#ThinkPVD is part of a larger effort to draw guests to the heart of Providence this
holiday season. «We are excited to once again invite families to visit our beautiful
downtown to enjoy the city’s winter holiday traditions,» said Director of Art,
Culture + Tourism Stephanie Fortunato. «The 2017 PVD Winter Lights Market and Tree
Lighting
featuring vendors, live music, and so much more will offer two days of fun for the
entire family.» Tree lighting ceremonies with additional entrainment will be held
on Friday, December 1 on the steps of Providence City Hall and Saturday, December 2
at the Alex and Ani Center Skating Rink in Kennedy Plaza from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
Business owners, shoppers and diners are encouraged to share their experiences this
season using the hashtag #ThinkPVD on social media. As part of the campaign, Mayor
Elorza announced today that there will be two hours of free parking in designated
commercial districts throughout Providence. Shoppers will be offered two hours of
free parking every day from 10:00am until 6:00pm beginning Friday, November 24, 2017
through Monday, January 1, 2018 in the following commercial districts:
* Atwells Avenue – Bradford Street to Knight Street
* Spruce Street – Dean Street to Acorn Street
* Dean Street – Atwells Ave to West Exchange Street
* Acorn Street – Spruce Street to Atwells Avenue
* Bradford Street – Atwells Avenue to Jones Street
* Bond Street – Atwells Avenue to Spruce Street
* Broad Street – Public Street to Montgomery Street
* Downtown Providence – bounded by Fountain Street, Memorial Boulevard,
Weybosset Street, Empire Street and Friendship Street (from Dyer Street to
Dorrance Street)
* Hope Street – Rochambeau Avenue to Blackstone Boulevard
* North Main Street – Thomas Street to Park Row
* Olneyville Square – Route 10 to Sydney Street and Delaine Street to Atwood
Street to Magnolia Street
* South Main Street – James Street to Packet Street
* Point St – From Eddy to East Franklin St
* Thayer Street – Bowen Street to Waterman Street
* Wayland Square – East Angell Street/Angell Street to Gano Street and Wayland
Avenue from Angell Street to Pitman Street
* Wickenden/Ives – Wickenden Street at Benefit Street to Ives Street at Preston
Street
The holiday parking program is designed to encourage residents and visitors to
patronize Providence based business free of charge for two hours. The two-hour
parking limit will be strictly enforced by parking enforcement officers. Cars parked
illegally in prohibited areas, including crosswalks and tow zones, will be ticketed
during this period, as always.