Providence Place will always be a little nostalgic for me. I was a senior in high school when it opened, and like a lot of teenagers in Rhode Island at the time, I spent more summer evenings here than I can count. Back then, it felt like the place to be. The mall was packed, new stores seemed to open every month, and there was an energy to it that was hard to miss.
It's definitely not what it once was. Over the years, plenty of stores have come and gone, and there have been periods where it felt like the mall was struggling to find its footing. There have also been times when security seemed a little too hands-off for my liking.
That said, I think Providence Place may finally be turning a corner. The mall is still kept in good condition, the common areas are clean, and management seems to be making an effort to keep the property looking presentable. I also appreciate the free two-hour parking, which is becoming a rarity these days and makes quick trips downtown much more convenient.
What keeps me coming back is that there is still a lot of potential here. My biggest wish for the future would be to see a food market added on the first floor. Something along the lines of a local public market with specialty vendors, prepared foods, coffee, and local products would bring a lot of life to the building and give people another reason to visit beyond traditional retail.
Maybe it's nostalgia talking, but I'd like to see Providence Place succeed. It has been part of Rhode Island's landscape for a long time, and while it may not be in its glory days anymore, I think there are signs that better days could be ahead. read more