Westerly Launches Shop + Dine Free Trolley

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Monday, July 18, 2011

GoLocalProv Features Team

Starting this Wednesday, taking advantage of good food and shopping in Westerly and Watch Hill is going to be a lot easier. And free.

The Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that a pilot trolley service connecting Watch Hill, Misquamicut, Avondale, and downtown Westerly will begin operation on Wednesday, July 20 (there's a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the inaugural ride which departs from Bruna’s Table in downtown Westerly at noon).

The new Westerly “Shop & Dine” Trolley will run from noon to 9pm, Wednesday through Saturday all summer until Labor Day. The trolley line will include Bruna’s Table and McQuade’s Market in downtown Westerly; Heart of Avondale on Watch Hill Road in Avondale; the Watch Hill Yacht Club at Bay and Fort Streets in Watch Hill; and Pleasant View Inn and Maria’s Seaside Café on Atlantic Avenue in Misquamicut.

“We hope that both tourists and residents enjoy the ride, explore all aspects of our beautiful town, and show strong support for our local merchants in the three business districts” said Michelle Pendola, Chamber President.

Bringing back trolleys

Revived trolley service emerged as one of the principal short-term strategies flowing from the KeepSpace Westerly working group process conducted earlier this year. KeepSpace Westerly is a widely inclusive partnership initiative to change the way we think about, build and approach “community.” It is funded by Rhode Island Housing and has focused on improving downtown Westerly in the areas of business, infrastructure, housing, recreation, and the environment.

The $40,000 in funding for the project is being provided by The Town of Westerly, the Westerly Land Trust Urban Committee, the Greater Westerly Chamber Foundation, the Downtown Business Association, the Misquamicut Business Association, the Watch Hill Business Association, and KeepSpace Westerly. McQuades Market and E-Z Liquors have also contributed funds. In addition, several local businesses have agreed to act as stops on the trolley line, while dozens of others are contributing space for posters and information cards. Trolley service is provided by South County Trolley Company, of Narragansett.

For more information, go to the Westerly Trolley Web site, here. And happy (free) riding.