Hope & Main Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for West End Kitchens
New culinary hub already serving 35 food businesses expands access to commercial kitchen space, entrepreneurship, and food production in Providence
Brian Rolon, Founder, Brolitos Sandwiches- Latin-inspired Fusion Food Truck
WHAT:
Hope & Main will host the official ribbon cutting for West End Kitchens, its new shared-use culinary hub in Providence’s West End. Open since June, the facility has already welcomed 35 food and beverage businesses and is helping address growing demand for affordable, licensed commercial kitchen space and business support for aspiring food entrepreneurs.
Lorianni Lantigua-Rondon, Owner and Founder of M’s Bakery Cafe and Sol De La Isla a line of artisanal signature jams featuring Guava, Passion Fruit, Strawberry and Coconut flavors
The approximately $10 million redevelopment project transformed a long-vacant property into a center for food entrepreneurship, community investment, and economic opportunity. The facility includes three rentable shared-use kitchens, expanded co-packing operations, and a partnership with Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island through TRIO Community Meals.
Immediately following the ribbon cutting, attendees can visit the onsite Hope & Main West End Makers Market, featuring local food businesses, product sampling, live music, and community dining.
WHY IT MATTERS:
For nearly 13 years, Hope & Main has helped launch and support more than 550 Rhode Island food businesses, creating pathways into entrepreneurship for women, immigrants, entrepreneurs of color, and first-time business owners. West End Kitchens expands Hope & Main’s reach and capacity at a time when demand for licensed kitchen space and food business support continues to grow statewide.
WHEN:
Friday, October 2, 2026
4:00 PM-5PM Ribbon Cutting
5:00 PM -7PM West End Makers Market
WHERE:
Hope & Main West End Kitchens
945 Westminster Street
Providence, RI
WHO WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:
• Lisa Raiola, Founder & President, Hope & Main, Meg Grady, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Rhode Island, Senator Jack Reed, Congressmen Seth Magaziner & Gabe Amo, Lt Gov Sabina Matos, RI Treasurer James Diossa, Mayor Brett Smiley, RI Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, Christopher Lyon USDA-RD New England Regional Director, Lauren Farley, Assistant Director Housing Programs, RI Housing
• Food entrepreneurs currently operating out of West End Kitchens
• Project partners and supporters
VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
• Official ribbon-cutting ceremony
• Tours of the commercial kitchen facility
• Food entrepreneurs at work and showcasing products
• West End Makers Market activations
• Community leaders and project supporters
KEY FACTS:
• Opened June 2026
• 35 food and beverage businesses currently utilizing the facility
• Three shared-use commercial kitchens available by the hour
• Expanded co-packing capacity for emerging food brands
• More than 550 businesses supported by Hope & Main since 2014
• Approximately $10 million invested in redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization
About Hope & MainHope & Main is Rhode Island’s premier food business incubator, helping more than 550 food and beverage businesses launch, grow, and thrive since 2014. Through shared-use kitchens, business assistance, market access, and connections to capital, Hope & Main strengthens entrepreneurship and builds a more resilient local food economy