NORTH PROVIDENCE – A private event hall, dessert charcuterie boards, a player piano with 2,000 songs, live music, an accessible ramp and expanded outdoor dining are some of the additions
3/31/2021
Restaurant owners say employee shortage holding them back
Owner Paula Dumas stands on the back patio at Uncle Ronnie’s Red Tavern in Burrillville, which she says they’ve been unable to open due to a shortage of employees. (Breeze photo by Lauren Clem)
BURRILLVILLE – One year into the pandemic, Paula Dumas, owner of Uncle Ronnie’s Red Tavern in Burrillville with her husband, Ron, said they’ve faced everything.
Since last March, they’ve switched to takeout, limited their seating, and navigated the complicated policies around reopening.
But the latest challenge, she said, isn’t related to the number of customers or government restrictions. Instead, she said, it’s staff that she’s struggling to bring in the door.
12/15/2020
Small business owners experiencing different holiday season
Annie Schisler, owner of Top Shelf Vintage in Pawtucket, said that after a decent summer, she’s noticed customer traffic slow down over the past month. (Breeze photos by Melanie Thibeault)
Some see steady sales, others struggling
December is the month that generally makes or breaks the year for retailers, and depending on who you ask, small business owners are having mixed experiences during what’s normally their busiest time.
While Jordan’s Jungle in Pawtucket has been exceeding its sales from last year thanks to all the new stay-at-home plant parents, Kristine Teto says sales have been significantly down this year at her Hopscotch Room gift shop in North Providence.
12/15/2020
Holiday season experience differs among small business owners this year
Kristine Teto, owner of the Hopscotch Room gift shop in North Providence, estimates that sales have been down about 75 percent since the pandemic started. (Breeze photo by Melanie Thibeault)
Some see steady sales, others struggling this year
December is the month that generally makes or breaks the year for retailers, and depending on who you ask, small business owners are having mixed experiences during what’s normally their busiest time.
While Jordan’s Jungle in Pawtucket has been exceeding its sales from last year thanks to all the new stay-at-home plant parents, Kristine Teto says sales have been significantly down this year at her Hopscotch Room gift shop in North Providence.