The Arcade
130 Westminster St.
Providence, Rhode Island

Before we moved to Rhode Island we started following some of the local blogs and newspapers. That's how we found out that the Arcade was closing abruptly in July of 2008. I remembered the Arcade from our brief stint in the early 80's as a great place to hang out, with unique shops, local food and statement architecture.

The Arcade was built in 1828 by architects Russell Warren and James Bucklin, and is the oldest indoor shopping mall in the United States. It's in the Greek rectilinear temple style, with entrances on Westminster and Weybosset Streets, fronted by huge granite columns:

"the Westminster Street side is crowned with a pediment, and the Weybosset Street entrance is topped off by a stepped parapet. The story goes that the architects couldn't agree on a single unified design, so they each put their own stamp on the building." (Quahog.org)

We had barely put our suitcases down before I dragged Bear, camera in hand, to see the Arcade before it closed.



The exodus had already begun, and most of the storefronts were empty.






The building owners claimed that they had to make repairs, and had given the remaining stores a thirty-day eviction notice. It was being contested at the time we arrived.



The few hangers-on were doing business, hoping for an extension on the Arcade's closure. They did receive it, but despite just about everyone's hopes, the Arcade did ultimately close and remains closed today.


I sincerely hope that the repairs are made and that they're able to re-open the Arcade with great local shops. There's so much talent and industry in Rhode Island, it could surely fill the storefronts and make the Arcade the centerpiece of Downcity again.