THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND INDOWNCITY

Downcity, downtown….it’s up to you. (We’re actually 50/50.) From what we’ve heard, Providence residents in the early 1900s coined the term Downcity as a marker for where to meet up, enjoy social excursions and shopping outings. For decades the alternative moniker was abandoned for the more traditional downtown.

Nearly a century later, the neighborhood welcomed an initial wave of historic preservation and redevelopment of turn-of-the-century commercial buildings into mixed-use residential, office and retail storefronts. The phrase Downcity made a comeback and was quickly adopted by new businesses and others excited to call the neighborhood home.

It was around this same time, in 2008, that Shop Downcity came to be. In its infancy, our tiny little group operated as a traditional neighborhood merchants’ association, meeting monthly to discuss matters of importance to small business owners.

Since our inception, the now-named InDowncity group has worn many hats, morphing to adapt to the growing community and a new set of communication standards and tools. One key aspect that has remained steadfast is our mission to provide support to the wonderful small businesses in our community and help bridge the gap between the business owners and the public.

Simply put, we are communications collaboration among businesses in downtown Providence. We are primarily found on social media sharing ways to eat, drink and shop locally, with updates on exciting new openings, special offers and upcoming events - all focused on small businesses in our district. We like to throw some exclusive sneak peeks, giveaways and cool behind-the-scenes stuff in there, too. Our small team communicates directly with business owners every day to help connect them with the public.

Outside of the digital realm, we host events that attract thousands to the downtown neighborhood, which have included Movies on the Block, Open Air Saturdays, Celebrate Downcity, Spring Block Party, and the Grant’s Block beer garden.

We love our small business community and are proud to work alongside them to help support the unique little neighborhood that we call home.

If you'd like to be among the first to know what’s going on downtown, be sure to follow along on Instagram or sign up for our email newsletter. Contact us directly by filling out the form below.

Open Air Saturdays, Summer 2020

InDowncity is proud to work together with neighborhood partners Cornish Associates and Westminster Lofts.

If you are interested in leasing an apartment contact Westminster Lofts.

If you are interested in opening a business contact Cornish Associates.