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The Rose Room Cafe Closes Providence Location

The Rose Room Cafe in Providence, known for its local ingredients, has closed its doors.

News Summary

The Rose Room Cafe has closed its Providence location at 460 Wickenden St. due to low profitability and challenges in community engagement. Owner Jessica-Lee Sabine aims to focus on the flagship Webster location, which has been thriving since 2018. This decision comes as the cafe looks to enhance operations and invest in staff development following a successful funding campaign. Despite mixed emotions, the closure is seen as a strategic step for future growth and commitment to local sourcing.

Providence

The Rose Room Cafe has officially closed its location at 460 Wickenden St. in Providence, Rhode Island, as of last Friday. The coffee shop, which opened in March 2024, struggled with low profitability and an inability to connect with the local community, according to owner Jessica-Lee Sabine. The decision to close the Providence shop is considered a strategic move to focus efforts and resources on the primary location in Webster, Massachusetts, and other initiatives.

Reasons for Closure

Owner Jessica-Lee Sabine cited “low profitability” as one of the main reasons for closing the Providence space. Despite its appeal, described as a “perfect little gem,” the cafe in Providence was deemed misaligned with the long-term goals and values of The Rose Room Cafe. Sabine expressed that the geographical distance from the main Webster location made building a community connection challenging, which ultimately affected the business’s performance.

Webster Location Growth

The Rose Room Cafe continues to thrive at its flagship location at 4 East Main St. in Webster, where it has been operational since 2018. The Webster cafe has been very busy, reaching capacity for both seating and food production during weekends. With the closure of its Providence branch, the cafe aims to concentrate on improving systems, training staff, and enhancing the overall customer experience at its primary location.

Future Plans and Investment

In May 2024, The Rose Room Cafe launched an investment campaign through Honeycomb Credit to raise up to $70,000. The cafe successfully secured $41,135 from 50 community investors, providing the business with an alternative to traditional bank loans. The funding will be utilized for refinancing high-interest debt, expanding the catering side of the business, and investing in social media and staff development.

Commitment to Local Sourcing

The Rose Room Cafe is notable for its focus on locally-sourced ingredients, emphasizing a menu that includes baked goods, breakfast and lunch offerings, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. The decision to close the Providence location aligns with the cafe’s commitment to delivering local, sustainable food within a welcoming environment.

Emotional Considerations

Though the decision to shutter the Providence location was met with mixed emotions, it is viewed as a crucial step for the future success of The Rose Room Cafe. The closure allows the business to return its focus to enhancing operations at the Webster location and prioritizing community engagement through locally sustainable practices.

Background on The Rose Room Cafe

Founded in 2018, The Rose Room Cafe has been a community staple in Webster, Massachusetts. In addition to its primary location, the cafe has established two pop-up cafes in Connecticut, one at Logee’s Greenhouse in Danielson and another at Little Dipper Farm in Brooklyn. The cafe has gained a loyal patron base by emphasizing quality, sustainable food while fostering a friendly community atmosphere.

As The Rose Room Cafe continues to navigate the challenges of the food service industry, the closure of its Providence location may serve as a pivotal point for future growth and community connection in Webster.