Local Return

Photo of two lattes (with white hearts). Headline reads "Making the (G)rounds Coffee Shop Tour." Black text on white background reads: "Find us this summer at one of our state's finest independent cafes. Stop by before the office, camp drop-off, or the beach to say hi, ask about community investment, or share ideas for your neighborhood. All that, plus supporting a local business, before 9 a.m.; it's almost too productive for summertime." Larger text reads: "Wednesday, August 6, 8-9 a.m., Presto Strange O, 334 Warwick Neck Ave., Warwick." Logo for Presto Strange O Coffee Co.

Tomorrow morning, we'll be at Presto Strange O with @investri.bsky.social. Yes, we know that Warwick Neck is quite a trek. Come out for a coffee, venture to Rocky Point for a morning walk or a swim, pick some blueberries at Rocky Point Blueberry Farm, stop for corn at Morris Farm on the way home.

Top half of square image is white text on teal background: "Financial activism looks like creatively moving dollars out of harmful consolidation and toward widespread well-being. Rather than leaving money and power on the table, it's the practice of reclaiming financial resources and tools in line with larger social, economic, and climate justice movements. It's relegating the exploitation part of wealth building to the past." Bottom half has gray text on white background with teal polka dots: "Join us for a book discussion! August 6, 2025, 5:30-6:45 p.m., virtual via zoom, LocalReturn.org/events. Image of The Financial Activist Playbook book cover.

"Don't be afraid to imagine new ways and places for money to flow." - Jasmine Rashid

We're discussing Rashid's The Financial Activist Playbook this Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Join us?

localreturn.org/events/?even...

Overdueing It: The Rhode Island Library Podcast | rhode island library podcast Overdueing It is a podcast that brings you conversations with library workers, authors, community superstars and other neighbors around Rhode Island and beyond about their current favorite books, TV a...

Check us out, along with Andy Posner of Capital Good Fund and Dominique Resendes of Central Providence Unidos, in this new @overdueingit.org podcast episode about Investing in the Local Economy.

Tomorrow, tomorrow! Come find @jdinri.bsky.social at the table with the pinwheel.

Un/underutilized neighborhood properties Are you aware of an empty building that used to house a grocery store or supermarket? Is there another neglected, blighted property in your neighborhood that you think would be a good candidate for co...

That's why we see so many vacant markets sitting empty. Know of an un- or under-utilized building in your neighborhood? Tell us about it.

Sad, empty shopping plaza, foregrounded by mostly empty parking lot, under gloomy skies.

When supermarkets sell properties, they may attach a deed restriction that says the property can't be used to sell fresh food FOR DECADES. So:
🥦 Residents can't access food
🤑 Existing grocers raise prices
💀 Neighbors stuck with empty bldgs / 🥵 heat islands
📉 Surrounding businesses dragged down

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Our latest enews is dropping this morning. It's not too late to sign up. mailchi.mp/c4f4889a9f4b...

This is why we supported S991/H5552 which would've allowed for local enforcement of Robinson-Patman Act violations and H5902/S970 to prohibit the use of restrictive covenants related to grocery stores, introduced with backing of @sabinamatos.bsky.social.

Food Deserts - 99% Invisible Woonsocket, Rhode Island was once home to many locally owned and regional grocers. There were small stores such as Fernandes Produce and Big D’s. The city also had supermarkets from classic New Englan...

🎧 MUST LISTEN: Woonsocket leads off this @99pi.org episode on food deserts and supermarket monopolization.

Jumpstart Rhode Island continues! Graduates from our first cohort are doing a special Jumpinar this evening on pro formas with @joshdaly.bsky.social.

Photo of two lattes (with white hearts). Headline reads "Making the (G)rounds Coffee Shop Tour." Black text on white background reads: "Find us this summer at one of our state's finest independent cafes. Stop by before the office, camp drop-off, or the beach to say hi, ask about community investment, or share ideas for your neighborhood. All that, plus supporting a local business, before 9 a.m.; it's almost too productive for summertime." Larger text reads: "Tuesday, July 15, 8-9 a.m., *Tuesday, not Wednesday, this week only*, Notes Coffee Co., 508 Armistice Blvd, Pawtucket." Fun black-and-white logo for Notes Coffee Co.

This week's Wednesday coffee is on Tuesday. We'll be at Notes Coffee Co. in Pawtucket tomorrow from 8 until 9 a.m. Ready to talk about community, investment, morning beverages, local economies, and all things!

Book club!

As Federal Chaos Ensues, Trustbusters Rise in the States With Trump’s antitrust appointees more concerned with scoring points in MAGA culture wars than restraining corporate abuses, officials in the states are keeping up the fight.

Nice to see coverage of Lt. Gov. Matos's efforts to take on food deserts in Rhode Island by confronting the elephant in the room: supermarket monopolies. www.thenation.com/article/soci...

Jasmine Rashid is the author of The Financial Activist Playbook, the topic of our next book discussion. localreturn.org/events/?even...

Financial Activism 101: Moving Money And Power With Jasmine Rashid How does someone become the first in their family to build generational wealth… without doing so at the expense of marginalized communities? Jasmine Rashid digs in.

"1) “Why is this like this?” in relation to money is a portal to change, if we then 2) permit ourselves to check in internally, 3) imagine different possibilities, (4) start with one personal act of resistance, & finally, 5) connect with others doing the same." www.forbes.com/sites/morgan...

When we say the whole state, we mean it. Westerly, we can’t wait to be in your neighborhood tomorrow to drink local coffee and talk about community investment.

Shop local at northern R.I. farmers markets Summer has officially arrived, and with that, so have seasonal farmers markets! There’s something special about wandering around, browsing, and connecting with the community at these events, though the best

Farmers markets are in full swing across northern R.I.—browse local produce, handmade goods, and more while supporting your neighbors. Find one near you: https://bit.ly/3GsCI48

Background of soft gray. Under fluffy clouds of white, bright red, and starred teal, headline reads: "Celebrate Our Independents." Text reads: "When we shop local, money stays in our local economy longer and does more good. For every $100 you spend at an independent, locally-owned business, an average of $68 stays in the community. Compare that to just $43 for a big box store. Small businesses are also the state’s largest employer. They hire our neighbors, family members, and friends. And independent businesses shape the character of our communities. They make our places unique and interesting." Underneath, "Local Choices = Local Returns."

Today we celebrate our Independents, the locally-owned businesses that keep our local economy going, and the local workers, entrepreneurs, and owners of all kinds who make our communities better.

This week's Making the (G)rounds stop is Empire Tea & Coffee on Broadway in Newport. Meet us there to toast the start of July!

Event graphic displays book cover in black and rainbow shades and reads: Book Discussion: Join us to discuss The Financial Activist Playbook: 8 Strategies for Everyday People to Reclaim Wealth and Collective Well-Being by Jasmine Rashid. August 6, 5:30-7:00 p.m., online. "The Playbook is a rallying call for everyday people to take charge of their financial destinies through activism. Rashid' inspiring strategies lay out a clear roadmap to reclaim wealth and contribute to collective well-being. A must-read for anyone ready to turn the page on outdated financial norms and embark on a journey towards lasting change a new economy." Adriana Abizadeh, Executive Director, Kensington Corridor Trust

Our next book discussion is on The Financial Activist Playbook by Jasmine Rashid!. Join us virtually on August 6. localreturn.org/events/?even...

Advertisement for Making the (G)rounds Coffee Shop Tour reads: Find us this summer at one of our state's finest independent cafes. Stop by before the office, camp drop-off, or the beach to say hi, ask about community investment, or share ideas for your neighborhood. All that, plus supporting a local business, before 9 a.m.; it's almost too productive for summertime." Display reads: Wednesday, June 25, 8-9 a.m., Seed Cafe, 250 Main Street, Pawtucket.

Tomorrow's Making the (G)rounds stop is a special one for the coffee aficionados among us. Dissent Coffee Co is popping up at Seed Cafe. See you there between 8 and 9 a.m.! (Seed Cafe is located downstairs in the Still on Main building in Pawtucket.)

Advertisement for Making the (G)rounds Coffee Shop Tour, Wednesday, June 25, 8-9 a.m., at Seed Cafe, 250 Main Street in Pawtucket.

Advertisement for Local Social, cohosted by Strong Towns Providence, with special guests Jumpstart Rhode Island grads, Moniker Brewery, 432 West Fountain St, Providence, June 25, 5:30 p.m.

Come play with us this week -- and support two great local businesses! First up: the Making the (G)rounds Coffee Shop Tour continues on Wednesday morning at Seed Cafe in Pawtucket. See you at 8 a.m.? Next: Local Social with Jumpstart Rhode Island grads Wed evening, 5:30 p.m. at Moniker Brewery.

What a day! The first Jumpstart Rhode Island cohort graduated from the training program. Congratulations, crew! 🎓🌟🏡 Thank you, faculty! And special thanks to @rachel-ri.bsky.social for the words of encouragement today.

“Graduated” from @localreturn.bsky.social’s first Jumpstart RI cohort today, learning how to become a neighborhood property developer.

Thanks for joining us @rachel-ri.bsky.social!

Honored to have been part of the Inaugural cohort of JumpStart Rhode Island with @localreturn.bsky.social, & am excited to apply the skills & knowledge gained through participating in this excellent program!

Light blue background, with white square. Text reads: Local Social, Moniker Brewery, 432 West Fountain St, Providence, June 25, 5:30 p.m. Green banner reads: Cohosted by Strong Towns Providence. Green badge reads: Special Guests: Jumpstart Rhode Island grads

Next Wednesday, we've got a special Local Social with special guests: our first cohort of Jumpstart Rhode Island graduates. Come on by to help build a network of support!

When Landlords Hide Behind LLCs Corporate landlords and investors tend to structure their businesses as LLCs. Hidden ownership is tied to deteriorating housing and more.

“You should be able to know who your neighbors are. This may seem like a relatively obvious statement, but people and communities across the country are finding it harder to do this, in large part due to the increasing role of financialization in housing.” @shelterforce.bsky.social

On white background with notepaper striped lines, gray text reads: Localist Checklist If you want to be a localist and care about keeping your money rotating in the local economy as long as possible, doing the most good, remember NEVER. N: How does this business support the *neighborhood*? E: How does this business treat its *employees*? V: What other local, independent businesses (i.e. suppliers, packagers, graphic designers, accountants, etc.) are in the *value chain* for this product or service? E: What are the *environmental* impacts of my purchase? R: Is this business owned by someone who lives in and cares about *Rhode Island*?

Looking for a mantra to guide your localist consumerism? Try NEVER.

There are some great virtual events being held during World Localization Month thanks to @localfutures.bsky.social. worldlocalizationday.org/events/

We’re in need of mentors experienced in real estate to support 16 amazing participants in our first Jumpstart cohort. Mentorship can be rewarding and fun. You’ll make a difference in someone’s life. Plus, you’ll help us make this program the best it can be for RI! localreturn.org/jumpstart-rh...