News Summary
Sawyer’s, a new market, café, and wine bar, has opened in Providence, offering local products and seasonal dishes. Located at 447 Broadway, the establishment has transformed a historic building into a vibrant community hub, emphasizing local ingredients and collaboration with area businesses.
Providence Welcomes Sawyer’s: A New Market, Café, and Wine Bar in Historic Space
Providence has officially welcomed Sawyer’s, a new market, café, and wine bar operating in a historically rich location that recently featured in the filming of the upcoming movie “Ella McCay.” The establishment opened its doors for the first time in January 2024, offering a unique blend of local products and simple, shareable food options.
Located at 447 Broadway, Sawyer’s occupies a building that dates back to 1849, originally owned by cabinetmaker William O. Briggs. It underwent significant transformation, particularly by a film crew that converted the space into a typical 1970s bar for the movie. Co-founders Dan and Charle Hornby decided seven years ago to purchase the building when it was still a convenience store. Following the film’s wrap, they revitalized the venue, maintaining the original wooden bar while updating other areas with a fresh white ceiling and vintage decor.
Sawyer’s aims to create an effortless and breezy dining experience that showcases seasonal ingredients curated from local vendors. The café features a diverse menu that caters to various palates, including items such as cheese boards, freshly baked sourdough bread served with Maine butter, smoked fish dip with a seeded baguette, and a salad of little gem lettuce dressed in buttermilk. Co-founder Lydia Emmons, who left her previous role at Boston Public Schools to focus on Sawyer’s, places significant emphasis on supporting local companies, exemplified by sourcing ingredients from Maine Grains and other area producers.
Market Features
The interior of Sawyer’s mimics an indoor farmer’s market. Visitors can expect to see:
- A bakery case brimming with sweet treats from NAVAD.
- Potted flowers and greenery for sale on charming stools and repurposed antique ladders.
- Baskets full of fresh herbs.
- A dedicated cabinet filled with local coffee beans, tea, high-quality flour, oats sourced from Maine Grains, cookbooks, and spices.
- A refrigerator stocked with fresh Rhode Island milk, Maine butter, and seasonal produce like rhubarb.
Future Plans and Community Engagement
The Hornbys are dedicated to turning Sawyer’s into a community hub. They plan to collaborate with local businesses, including Jimmy Fleming of Rhody Butcher, who will use Sawyer’s as a pickup location for meat products. Additionally, the café will host pop-up events and special collaborations called “Meet the Maker,” showcasing local food producers and their offerings.
Cultural Significance
The café’s name pays homage to their late friend Tom Sawyer, who passed away unexpectedly in January 2024, adding a heartfelt connection to the establishment. Recipes featured on the menu, such as the popular fish dip, are inspired by Emmons’ family traditions, ensuring a personal touch in every dish served.
Sawyer’s has been enthusiastically welcomed by the local community as a refreshing addition to Providence’s dining landscape, combining a unique market experience with culinary offerings that prioritize local ingredients and seasonal flavors.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Boston Globe: Providence Welcomes Sawyer’s
- Wikipedia: Providence, Rhode Island
- Seattle Times: Sawyer’s New Market
- Google Search: Sawyer’s Providence
- Providence Journal: Rhode Island Calamari
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurants
- Providence Journal: Bristol Oyster Bar Competition
- Google News: Local Restaurants Providence
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
