Newport’s beautiful views, Gilded Age architecture and great spots to eat make it a staplefor New England travelers but did you really go if you didn’t shop?
Newport, R.I., like any destination, is home to great clothing stores but small mom and
pop shops are what make this tiny attraction unique. Void of chain stores that can be visited
anywhere, main streets like Thames are home to clothing exclusive to Newport. Any New
England attraction can offer a Forever21, a Lilly Pulitzer or an Abercrombie and Fitch but stores
like Wish, Bite Me Bait and The Pink Pineapple are the rocks of Newport’s small business
population and are not to be missed during your next visit.
- Wish Newport, a designer
consignment shop on 80 Thames St. was nominated Best of Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly.
Wish allows for designer pieces to be purchased at an affordable price. Designers like Prada, Marc
Jacobs and Louis Vuitton are presented in nearly perfect conditions and the product is constantly
being updated. Moreover, their modern website allows visitors to access their supply of luxury
brands to be delivered to your home. - The Pink Pineapple on 380 Thames St. is an upscale boutique offering designer
accessories, clothing and jewelry. Their shop offers some of fashion’s most sought after
trends like pom-poms, cashmere and jumpsuits. They also have an exclusive collection
by Stacie Hall along with a number of other personal designers. Interested customers can
access on their website their holiday collection right now directly from their store. - The Salty Babe, a women’s clothing boutique on 391 Thames St. is a retailer focused on
bringing a casual beach style through accessories, activewear and dresses. Offering
brands like Billabong, Free People and Levi’s. Customers can shop their high-end brands
or their individual stylists for outerwear, bathing suits and much more. Reasonably
priced, young women can shop their style in-store and
online at http://www.thesaltybabeshop.com. - Island Pursuit, known for its casual island apparel for men and women is placed on Thames at 364. Offering name-brand options for any interested visitor, Helly Hanson, Quicksilver and Prada. Island Pursuit is also a sponsor to Cameron Maramenides in the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires. Your home and kids also have options at Island
Pursuit. - Bite Me Bait cemented on 337 Thames St #1, is a brick and mortar tee shirt and home décor shop. Presenting crewnecks, tee-shirts, hats and buoys. Each design is exclusively designed by shop owner
Jeff Marlowe. The Husband and wife team has had their business on Thames for over 20 years
and counting. All tee-shirt designs are meant to emulate vintage, nautical companies, their
best-selling Bite Me Bait shop design is now the namesake of the retailer. Previously relying on
word of mouth they got a small shoutout on the National Geographic program Port Protection: Alaska. Their designs can be accessed on their website http://www.bitemelivebait.com.
Newport allows visitors and locals a distinct opportunity to shop designer-made,
affordable or in-house designed clothes. During these especially uncertain times, the small
businesses of shore towns like Newport need interaction now more than ever. COVID-19 has taken
well-established micro-enterprises down due to a lack of business but with the love of shops that
offer a variety of trends for varying age groups and styles, many of Newport’s best have been
able to stay afloat.
Catherine Fiocco Portfolio 
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