Langevin: Garden City Center ‘clearly on the move’

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 12/11/13

U.S. Rep. James Langevin paid a visit to Garden City Center on Dec. 9, visiting several establishments and receiving an update on an iconic shopping destination he said is “clearly on the …

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Langevin: Garden City Center ‘clearly on the move’

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U.S. Rep. James Langevin paid a visit to Garden City Center on Dec. 9, visiting several establishments and receiving an update on an iconic shopping destination he said is “clearly on the move.”

“This is where I grew up,” said the congressman, recalling the days of Woolworth and Almacs and noting that his parents owned a store, Kay’s Newport, in the center during his childhood.

Accompanied by aides and representatives of the center’s management, Langevin received an update on Garden City’s incoming businesses and outlook for the coming years. Joe Koechel, general manager for Garden City Center, said sights are set high.

“There’s a lot going on,” he said. “We’re not done.”

The opening up of Garden City’s Gazebo – which had at times created a “physical and psychological barrier” within the complex, and is being transformed into “kind of the village green” – has linked the Village and Commons areas and helped serve as a bridge to new development, said Koechel. He pointed to the arrival of outlets such as J. Crew, Pottery Barn and Anthropologie, as well as the arrival of Sephora and Corner Bakery Café in the space formerly occupied by Circuit City and the planned The Container Store location at the former Linens ’n Things.

The broader focus of efforts to revitalize the shopping center, said Koechel, has been to blend high-quality national chains with “great local tenants,” giving Garden City a “unique flavor” that honors and continues its long history while bringing a distinctly modern feel.

The opening of an LA Fitness location where Borders was previously located represents part of that approach. Koechel said the gym, which is No. 1 in the country in membership, is “classy” and “really the ilk of Garden City.” The Cranston location will be the company’s first in Rhode Island, with more planned.

The project also required some creativity. Koechel said because the new facility was limited to the same physical footprint of the old bookstore, expansion was done vertically, leading to an 11,000-square-foot mezzanine section that will significantly alter and enhance the look of that portion of the complex.

Koechel praised Cranston city officials for their support of the LA Fitness project and the needed variances. He also said Garden City’s ownership – the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association – has been highly supportive of the focus on finding the right businesses for the shopping center.

“[We are] blessed to have ownership that gets it,” he said. “It takes patience sometimes to do the right thing.”

Langevin said the aesthetic changes have resulted in a “nice facelift on the whole Garden City complex.”

The congressman also praised Garden City’s use of local contractors, including New England Construction and DiPrete Engineering Associates.

“Putting Rhode Islanders to work, that’s music to my ears,” he said.

Following Koechel’s presentation, a group traveled with Langevin on a tour of several stores. At the first stop, designer clothing shop Mel & Me owners Brenda Bedrick and Mel Baker spoke highly of the changes at Garden City and asked the congressman to remain an advocate for Rhode Island businesses while in the nation’s capital.

Bedrick said the shopping center has seen a “fabulous metamorphasis,” and has “really become the place to shop.” Baker spoke of the importance of investing in infrastructure as a means of supporting economic growth.

“We’re trying to do everything we can,” said Langevin, later adding, “Small business owners have always had a place near and dear to my heart.”

The next stop, Mod Mama – a store offering a range of items for children and geared toward serving the needs of modern mothers – highlights Garden City’s focus on drawing Rhode Island-based businesses. It is also what Koechel called a “destination” store that draws visitors from beyond the immediate area, providing an “upscale” and “unique” shopping experience.

“[Mod Mama is] what we were looking for,” he said.

Mod Mama owners Julie Navarro and Kim Losey previously operated their store in Providence, but saw an opportunity at Garden City to expand and offer more convenience to customers.

“We’ve gotten a great reception,” said Navarro, noting that last week was the store’s best ever.

Navarro and Losey also helped Langevin pick out a special item as a gift for a friend’s child.

During the tour, Langevin additionally visited Pinkberry and met with owner Brian Galvin, and stopped at Sweenor’s to speak with the staff and order candy. The visit concluded at Providence Diamond Co., where owner Peter Pritsker praised the new energy and additions at Garden City.

“There’s a lot of great things happening here,” he told the congressman.

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