Blaze Smith Hill
This business profile ran as part of Motif’s Black History Month issue, centering the experiences of Black business owners. For BJ Murray, owner of Blaze Smith Hill, the business started […]
Events:
The Flower, The Labor, and The Sea
September 27, 2025 - June 28, 2026
Black Beans PVD
This business profile ran as part of Motif’s Black History Month issue, centering the experiences of Black business owners. Adena Marcelino’s journey to being one of Providence’s esteemed black business […]
Rorschach State: Taking a look at gerry-meandering districts
Every ten years, the US Census Bureau is responsible for counting everyone in America. And every ten years, America’s cantankerous cartographers dust off their credentials and get their hands dirty […]
Playing on Thick Ice: Ocean State Curlers are a stone’s throw away
“Alright, so basically, curling is shuffleboard on ice,” Dave Rosler says. “If you’ve ever done a lunge, you’ll be great at curling. Also, if you’ve never done a lunge, you’ll […]
On the Cover: January 2022
Well, Motif readers, it’s a new year. Many of us will embark on the week-long journey of deciding to become better people in 2022, realize that it doesn’t make a […]
Going Bananas for Bananagrams: a word game with special RI a-peel
When Rhode Islanders think of a local game company, they think of Hasbro. But there are other Providence-based game companies that have ripened to international stature. That’s right, we are […]
Still an RI Institution, Even After “Knock It Off”: Frog and Toad continues to impress
In 2001, Erin Piorek Schofield and Asher Schofield found some retail space on Hope Street in PVD which they made their own to pursue Erin’s dream of being an entrepreneur. […]
Give the Gift of the Green Stuff: Jordan’s Jungle has great gifts for plant enthusiasts
Plant parents have one thing in common: They always get excited about adding more greenery to their collection. In a time when saving the environment is a top priority for […]
Everything Old is New Again: Fabulous finds in Pawtucket
A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles VHS tape. A jacket worn by USPS letter carriers in the 1950s. A mirrored end table with Levi Strauss & Co.’s elaborate vintage logo embossed […]
Hands from Heaven: Athena’s Home Novelties saves your dry hands
Last year, hand sanitizer was a popular not-really-a-joke gift. This year, you can make up for it with a locally produced and sold magic hand formula. Dry, chapped hands can […]