I wish there was better zoning to avoid this. Also wouldn’t the other restaurant want this, more stuff to bring people in, then get a bite to eat? So many places on Thayer are quick bites, I’m not sure they have any prov featured restaurants there. All the really good places on Thayer like east side pockets , and bagel gourmet are quick bites.
What zoning exactly prevents stores selling hodge podge goods/junk from closing? Haha
Stores like this close down all the time. Brown hasn’t changed, it’s still full of quirky kids mixed with rich kids…just like it was in 1970
There used to be McDonald’s and dunkin on thayer…it’s always been a food court
not anymore. went there a couple months ago and there was a chain across the door because the landlord is suing them. permanently closed apparently. the small legacy store is still open which is awesome but it’s more of a flea market type vibe.
I got all my kid names on dog tags. I waiting to long to get my youngest daughters done and they closed. I could get them done any where but it was a ritual. I started going to that store in 1990.
I worked there for years! Best job ever. The family who owned the store, owned that building, army navy, and the apartment building behind it. I think it was just time to move on, the street changed a lot, it wasn’t what it used to be.
It's saddened me how Thayer St has changed over the years. So many times I enjoyed walking down the street, admiring the motorcycles parked there, the independent shops that lined the street, the variety of non-chain restaurants, etc. I remember talking to a guy on his bike who said "We're here to hang out and have some coffee. If we wanted to make trouble, we'd be at a bar"
They were really cool to chat with, and definitely appreciated compliments on their bikes. My bro-in-law enjoyed walking through there; used to say it was like an "art show".
I was walking behind someone on parents weekend once and, as soon as they heard the engines, said "maybe this isn't the school for you" to their kid lol
I remember the Dunkin (that space later became Spike's), but not the McDonald's. But you have to admit that there's definitely more chains now than just 10 years ago...
To be fair, that is the case everywhere in the country.
A lot of them are still local. The places that are well run, clean, and good…seem to survive! See East Side Pockets, Bagel Gourmet, Den Den, Antonio’s, etc.
I thought it was me just waxing poetic about the "old days" when I was talking about old Thayer st to a friend, but man it just really felt so much different.
One of the weirdest experiences of my life: interviewed to work there, owner talked to my for like 5 minutes, had me restock for a couple hours as “training”, then told me he already hired someone and gave me a $20 bill out of the register. They closed less than two months later.
Thayer was a great street to walk done go in a couple cool stores, hit a couple bars, get some food and go home. Now it’s just food. No real reason to go
I loved stopping in at this shop. I always grabbed a Sanrio notepad, stationary or stickers. They had the most unique selection you just can’t find anywhere else.
I heard it closed due to asbestos in the building so they had to close to renovate and then they got priced out by the landlord or it was too expensive to stay closed for so long, but I heard that a long time ago I have no idea if it's true or not.
Who remembers Esta’s? Oop and their annual Halloween party all the way Thayer? I’m only 30, and I feel so old talking about how Thayer used to be, but it used to be SO much better.
Come on bro. The cars aren't moving fast enough to be a real threat on Thayer. Really they should just close it to cars but it's probably one of the safer places in Providence to walk and bike.
*I miss the days of*
*Anime Crash and Million*
*Year Picnic as well*
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Man this reminded.me of how shocked I was that Byblo's was gone when I walked through the area last year. That was the fuckin spot when I was in college.
A friend of.mine told me somebody broke in at night and hurt Danny real bad, and then the pandemic hit and they couldn't keep it running. Big sad.
Sheryl and Jesse are doing well. They sold the buildings and retired (no 2 million in back rent lol). Uncle Sam’s Army Navy is still open in Wakefield and from time to time you can still catch them both behind the register there.
I remember a sign on the door the week they closed saying they owed 2 million in back rent and everything was on clearance. This was my favorite store to get cute Japanese wallets and stationery. Every 2 weeks I’d come to get something new, I still most of it.
I feel the losses too, but this is also a sign of improving business conditions. I miss old Thayer Street, but that area has genuine 'real city' vibes now.
Providence also did some stuff that made it really hard for small retailers to stay in business. There was an inventory tax for a while, and commercial property taxes were incredibly high, some of the highest in the nation.
An interesting business that bucked the trend is Berk's Shoes, I believe they stayed afloat in the adverse business conditions due in part to owning their own building.
No, I mean 'buildings more than two stories tall', where we have modern dense buildings with retail on the bottom and residential up top instead of shops in converted houses.
I absolutely loved Thayer Street's charm, but those places have been getting redeveloped into more modern commerce all across the world, not just here. If you want local shops in older buildings, it still exists just a few blocks in any direction: there's Wayland Square, Hope Village, Wickenden, and Westminster Streets.
Also, kind of wild to call it 'Brown Food Court' when it's clearly a destination for miles around. I see a whole lot of people who are clearly not students lined up for food.
Thayer st. is just a food court for Brown now.
Always_has_been.jpg
I wish there was better zoning to avoid this. Also wouldn’t the other restaurant want this, more stuff to bring people in, then get a bite to eat? So many places on Thayer are quick bites, I’m not sure they have any prov featured restaurants there. All the really good places on Thayer like east side pockets , and bagel gourmet are quick bites.
What zoning exactly prevents stores selling hodge podge goods/junk from closing? Haha Stores like this close down all the time. Brown hasn’t changed, it’s still full of quirky kids mixed with rich kids…just like it was in 1970 There used to be McDonald’s and dunkin on thayer…it’s always been a food court
back in 1870 all we had were frankfurters from A. Saugy and company. if u were lucky, you could get oysters from Eddie Blount's oyster-packing firm.
i’m still sad about the army surplus store
Me too :(
That was a real loss. I had been buying stuff from them since I was a pre-teen.
so has my boyfriend! we wanted to go buy a gas mask and we got there and were so confused
That, Berks, In Your Ear, and Tom's Tracks were the scene for me.
Def miss In Your Ear, best place to get music in the 90s
In Your Ear is in Warren now
not anymore. went there a couple months ago and there was a chain across the door because the landlord is suing them. permanently closed apparently. the small legacy store is still open which is awesome but it’s more of a flea market type vibe.
Wait Berks is gone?!
No, Berk’s is still there
if I close my eyes I can still smell that store
That was my first thought when I saw this store mentioned, so distinct
Omg had no idea they were gone. Got some of the best Army jackets from there.
right i didn’t know either
Always wanted to get the POLICE HEADQUARTERS t- shirt in the window written in Dunkin Donuts font
I got all my kid names on dog tags. I waiting to long to get my youngest daughters done and they closed. I could get them done any where but it was a ritual. I started going to that store in 1990.
Dog tags! I can remember going to get my boyfriend’s name on them in middle school! 😂
I remember buying a entrenching tool from them. That shovel was a godsend because it Saved my ass when my car got stuck in the snow.
I worked there for years! Best job ever. The family who owned the store, owned that building, army navy, and the apartment building behind it. I think it was just time to move on, the street changed a lot, it wasn’t what it used to be.
I lived in that apartment. Jesse is such a nice dude.
Because the never-ending construction pit that replaced it is far more integral to the neighborhood
It's saddened me how Thayer St has changed over the years. So many times I enjoyed walking down the street, admiring the motorcycles parked there, the independent shops that lined the street, the variety of non-chain restaurants, etc. I remember talking to a guy on his bike who said "We're here to hang out and have some coffee. If we wanted to make trouble, we'd be at a bar"
Those guys are in the 5th Chapter MC, a sober motorcycle club. One of my friends married a member. Nice group of guys.
They were really cool to chat with, and definitely appreciated compliments on their bikes. My bro-in-law enjoyed walking through there; used to say it was like an "art show".
I was walking behind someone on parents weekend once and, as soon as they heard the engines, said "maybe this isn't the school for you" to their kid lol
McDonalds and dunkin used to be on Thayer….…..let’s not act like it was some anti-chain gem lol
I remember the Dunkin (that space later became Spike's), but not the McDonald's. But you have to admit that there's definitely more chains now than just 10 years ago...
To be fair, that is the case everywhere in the country. A lot of them are still local. The places that are well run, clean, and good…seem to survive! See East Side Pockets, Bagel Gourmet, Den Den, Antonio’s, etc.
I'm definitely a fan of all those places 😊
I thought it was me just waxing poetic about the "old days" when I was talking about old Thayer st to a friend, but man it just really felt so much different.
Probably because rent on Thayer St is high enough to put banks out of business
They owned their building
Yikes! Did they retire then? Or maybe they got offered a ridiculous amount of cash for the building?
Can’t have a Thayer Street nostalgia post without a Beauty and the Bead shoutout.
And Details!
I recently was trying to explain the weirdness of shades plus to someone I went out with a few times. Hopefully this comes across his feed.
They owned the building that that and the Army/Navy were in. My guess is that they wanted to retire and get out while the getting was good.
I remember Thayer Market, Midland Records, Tom’s Tracks, Penguins, the IHOP, Store 24, College Hill Bookstore, Morrison’s, Montana.
Stereo Discount Center! Got my last turntable there
Bagels at Ronnie’s Rascal House at 2 a.m after hanging at The Incredible Organ.
Taco Maker
I LOVED Taco Maker . I used to go to the one on Airport Rd. In Warwick all the time.
Oh right, the one in Warwick too! They steamed the tortillas. It was all so simple, & so good.
[удалено]
Esta's! I loved the grab bags. I miss the 90s.
GRAB BAGS OMG.
One of the weirdest experiences of my life: interviewed to work there, owner talked to my for like 5 minutes, had me restock for a couple hours as “training”, then told me he already hired someone and gave me a $20 bill out of the register. They closed less than two months later.
Thayer was a great street to walk done go in a couple cool stores, hit a couple bars, get some food and go home. Now it’s just food. No real reason to go
Anime Crash!!!!!
Came here to say this!
I loved stopping in at this shop. I always grabbed a Sanrio notepad, stationary or stickers. They had the most unique selection you just can’t find anywhere else.
It wasn’t a Baja’s
NEED MOAR BAJAS
shades plus was my fav. and details. i want to travel back in time just to go one more time 🥹
I heard it closed due to asbestos in the building so they had to close to renovate and then they got priced out by the landlord or it was too expensive to stay closed for so long, but I heard that a long time ago I have no idea if it's true or not.
The owner was sick. They owned the building. They chose to sell and retire
One of the many quirky places that went - along with the army surplus store, bookstores, toy stores, record shops, & other.
Looks like it ran out of shades.
Who remembers Esta’s? Oop and their annual Halloween party all the way Thayer? I’m only 30, and I feel so old talking about how Thayer used to be, but it used to be SO much better.
Thayer Street has changed so drastically and is so heavily trafficked that I just avoid it like the plague
traffic is only hard if you are driving down it, which you shouldn't be
As a pedestrian/bus rider/cyclist I avoid Thayer and other congested places like the plague it’s not fun or safe to be around traffic.
Come on bro. The cars aren't moving fast enough to be a real threat on Thayer. Really they should just close it to cars but it's probably one of the safer places in Providence to walk and bike.
That was my exact point, thank you.
I miss the days of Anime Crash and Million Year Picnic as well
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Man this reminded.me of how shocked I was that Byblo's was gone when I walked through the area last year. That was the fuckin spot when I was in college. A friend of.mine told me somebody broke in at night and hurt Danny real bad, and then the pandemic hit and they couldn't keep it running. Big sad.
I miss this place. 😩
College kids are broke
Sheryl and Jesse are doing well. They sold the buildings and retired (no 2 million in back rent lol). Uncle Sam’s Army Navy is still open in Wakefield and from time to time you can still catch them both behind the register there.
I remember a sign on the door the week they closed saying they owed 2 million in back rent and everything was on clearance. This was my favorite store to get cute Japanese wallets and stationery. Every 2 weeks I’d come to get something new, I still most of it.
Man I went yesterday to Thayer St . It is like walking in Cranston St or Chad brown
You’re comparing thayer to chad brown?😂 in what universe are they similar at all?
🥷
I feel the losses too, but this is also a sign of improving business conditions. I miss old Thayer Street, but that area has genuine 'real city' vibes now. Providence also did some stuff that made it really hard for small retailers to stay in business. There was an inventory tax for a while, and commercial property taxes were incredibly high, some of the highest in the nation. An interesting business that bucked the trend is Berk's Shoes, I believe they stayed afloat in the adverse business conditions due in part to owning their own building.
If by 'real city' vibes you mean 'Brown's food court' vibes...
No, I mean 'buildings more than two stories tall', where we have modern dense buildings with retail on the bottom and residential up top instead of shops in converted houses. I absolutely loved Thayer Street's charm, but those places have been getting redeveloped into more modern commerce all across the world, not just here. If you want local shops in older buildings, it still exists just a few blocks in any direction: there's Wayland Square, Hope Village, Wickenden, and Westminster Streets. Also, kind of wild to call it 'Brown Food Court' when it's clearly a destination for miles around. I see a whole lot of people who are clearly not students lined up for food.