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Small Business

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Senator Calls To Repeal New Reporting Requirement On Alcohol Sales, Local Bar Owner Agrees

The reporting requirement was included as part of the State Budget for the current fiscal year that was signed into law last June.

State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis (Dem - Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich) has introduced legislation calling for repeal of a new regulation that requires restaurants, bars and alcohol retailers to provide a report for the Division of Taxation detailing total sales of alcoholic beverages in the past year. The reporting requirement was included as part of the State Budget for the current fiscal year that was signed into law last June. Raptakis says it's “burdensome to businesses” and expressed concern that “it was buried deep in the state budget and was not a topic of discussion” during budget debate in the previous session. "Last year, the state has passed a lot of new legislation on small businesses," said Ken Lacey, owner of …

Monday, August 13, 2012

Aquidneck Island Business Leaves Island To Avoid Bridge Tolls

The threat of tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge and the inevitable increasing cost of the morning commute is inspiring residents to action and at least one business to move its shop.

  The added cost of commuting to work that the Sakonnet River Bridge toll will add to Tiverton, Little Compton and Aquidneck Island residents is pushing business owners to move their stores closer to home and inspiring residents to fight back. After operating for five years in Portsmouth, a Tiverton woman carted her entire inventory and clientele across the bridge rather than deal with the consequences of the proposed tolls. "There are several reasons why I moved the store, the biggest being the [Sakonnet Bridge] tolls," said Swing during an interview at her store, Natures!, grand opening on Aug. 1. "I just bought a home here on Main Road passed Nanaquaket Pond in February and I wanted to be closer. I wanted to become more involved in my …

William F Horan

7:45 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012

The budget passed on a 57-15 vote, and needed fifty votes to pass (2/3 of the House, under the Constitution). If Reilly's eight colleagues from the East Bay (Newport and Bristol Counties) had voted with him and against the budget than the budget, and the tolls, would have failed by one vote. Who voted FOR bridge tolls (voting FOR the budget): Rep. Edwards Rep. Ruggiero Rep. Gallison Rep. Martin …   more ›

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Winners: Best Auto Shops in Rhode Island

Find out which auto shops are top notch in Rhode Island.

From oil changes to body repair to engine breakdowns, we all have occasion to require the service of a car mechanic. But which should you choose? If you're like most drivers, you know how to operate a car, but know little of the car's operation. How then can you possibly know whether a mechanic is correct and truthful when he tells you what's wrong with your vehicle and how much it's going to cost you to get back on the road? Patch wanted to help readers find the best, most reliable auto mechanics around. Throughout Rhode Island, Patch polled readers to find out where's the best place to take a car for service. After five days of voting, the winners are in. Check out who won below and let us know which you think is best in the comment …

Jennifer Paquette

10:47 am on Sunday, February 26, 2012

Rmt auto is the best place for service and repair. They are located on Metacom Ave in Warren. All the staff are so friendly, clean and willing to help with any request. They also have the best prices.   more ›

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Green Grocer Yanks Kashi, Other 'Organic' Brands Off Shelves, Says They Reportedly Contain GMOs

The local grocery store decided to pull several food brands off the shelf after a report stated some ingredients were "genetically modified."

If you're looking for your favorite Kashi Seven Whole Grains' cereal, you won't find it at The Green Grocer. Store owner John Wood says he's decided to pull several food brands after a recent report by The Cornucopia Institute, which claims to be an "organic industry watchdog" on its Web site.  Among the brands removed from the store were Kashi, Barbara's Bakery and Bear Naked. All of the brands were removed for different reasons related to products being "genetically modified," Wood said.  According to The Cornucopia Institute's report card, only 4 of Kashi's 24 cereal products are certified organic. Kashi is owned by the Kellogg Co. The granola products of Bear Naked, which is also owned by the Kellogg Co., are not certified organic, …

Monday, January 30, 2012

Nearly 50 New Businesses Started in Middletown in 2011

Business start-ups were up in 2011 across the state, but still haven't reached 2007 levels.

This article is based on a press release from the Office of A. Ralph Mollis, Rhode Island Secretary of State.   PROVIDENCE, R.I. – At least 49 new businesses from Middletown started up in 2011, based on new data from the Secretary of State’s office, which tracks yearly corporate filings. They included caterers, contractors, and sky-diving.   "The economy has had a traumatic few years, so let’s be careful about reading too much into this data. The pain isn’t over, but there are signs that things may be turning around,” said Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis.   Statewide, it appears that Rhode Island's entrepreneurs may be getting more optimistic about the economy’s recovery. For the first time since 2007, the number of new business starts …

Chris Barnett

8:13 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2012

You can find more info about the help the Secretary of State offers people thinking about starting their own business at http://sos.ri.gov/business/businessinfo/.   more ›

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Aquidneck Island’s Senate Delegation Submits Bill to Eliminate Tax on Tours

President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed works to restore sales tax exemption for vital Rhode Island industry.

STATE HOUSE, Providence – Legislation has been submitted in the Senate to restore the sales tax exemption on scenic tour and transportation services. Sponsored by Presidentof the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed and Senators Louis P. DiPalma, Christopher Scott Ottiano, David E. Bates and Walter S. Felag, Jr., the bipartisan legislation (2012-S-2049)has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. The legislation was promised by the Newport delegation – President Paiva Weed and Senator DiPalma – in August following meetings during which members of the tourism industry expressed their concerns that the new tax placed them at a competitivedisadvantage. The senators noted that the $1.1 million provision impacts one of the state’s most …

Friday, November 25, 2011

Ten Local Small Business Saturday Deals

A look at the deals local businesses are offering for Small Busines Saturday on Nov. 26.

Store Deal Music Box 15% off everything in stock Life is Good Free gifts with purchase of $50 and $100 Onne Van Der Wal Gallery 25 to 70% off entire store through Nov. 27 J.H. Breakell & Co. Receive a $15 gift card with your purchase of $75 or more Nov. 26-28. Ben’s Furniture Save up to 30% on all in stock sofas, mattresses, futons, dinette sets, bedroom sets, entertainment centers, desks, and bookcases Nov. 25-27. Portobello Jewelers 15% off entire stock through Dec. 4. Jason & Co. 25 t0 50% off entire stock except Pandora Jewelry through Dec. 4. Alex & Ani 50% off any one flat charm bangle with purchase of $100 or more. Anchor Bend Glass Save up to 50% on hand blown glass through Dec. 24. Thames Glass Seconds Sale starts Nov. 25 and goes…

The Fifth Element

9:51 am on Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Fifth Element - bar meets grill - 111 Broadway, Newport. 6192552. For small business Saturday get $10 off of $50 gift certificate and $25 off of $100 gift certificate. Happy Holidays!!   more ›

Thursday, November 24, 2011

More Than 25 Black Friday Deals Offered Around Town

A roundup of Newport and Middletown Black Friday deals.

Store Deal Wish 20% off all day; Open early at 9 a.m. RaNew Salon 20% off all gift cards Music Box 7 to 8:30 a.m. 40% off entire stock 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 30% off entire stock 12 to 11 p.m. 20% off entire stock Doorbuster sales from 12 to 9 p.m. include 40% off all Webkinz, Angry Birds, and Lil’ Kinz from 12 to 2 p.m., 40% off all Melissa & Doug and Sports Collectibles from 2 to 4 p.m., 40% off all Mattel, Hasbro, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Barbie, Star Wars, Transformers, BeyBlades, and Games from 4 to 6 p.m., and 40% off all regularly priced CD’s and DVD’s from 6 to 9 p.m. Life is Good 20% off entire store; free gifts with purchase of $50 and $100; extended hours opening at 8 a.m. Onne Van Der Wal Gallery 25 to 70% off entire store through …

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