La Calle Broa' • Broad Street | South Providence, RI
Known for its many bodegas, Chimi Trucks, and the red-white-blue stripe down the middle, Broad Street, aka La Calle Broa’, is the main Latino neighborhood in Providence, RI. The stripe, which reflects the colors of the Dominican flag, is the parade route for the Dominican Parade and Festival. This event, which started in 1989, celebrates Dominican cultural pride with a day of music, food, and dancing. Today, the parade and festival are the largest Dominican event in New England — and some say the U.S. — where thousands gather every Summer to celebrate the contributions of the Dominican community to the City of Providence.
Due to its important place in Rhode Island Latino History, Lower Broad Street | La Calle Broa' has earned the title of the Latino Cultural Corridor of Providence. Scroll right to read more ➤
Due to its important place in Rhode Island Latino History, Lower Broad Street | La Calle Broa' has earned the title of the Latino Cultural Corridor of Providence. Scroll right to read more ➤
La Calle Broa' • Broad Street | South Providence, RI
In the early 1960s, the first Dominican bodega was established on Broad Street, when there were only a handful of Hispanics in RI. By the 1970s, more Dominican-owned bodegas and small businesses, as well as Spanish-language church-services, reflecting the growing Latino community sprang up on what became known as La Calle Broa'. Soon, other Spanish-speaking families from places like Puerto Rico and Guatemala made the neighboring areas of Elmwood and the West End their home, changing the landscape of Providence.
Fefa’s Market | 1234 Broad Street | Providence, RI 02905
Josefina Rosario, known affectionately as Doña Fefa and her husband Tony (who was from Puerto Rico) came to Rhode Island in the late 1950s and eventually opened Fefa’s Market. It became the first Dominican-owned bodega — Latino market — on Broad Street, Lower South Providence.
They soon added a small kitchen and counter in the back of the store, and began serving the favorite dishes of the fast-growing Dominican community and other Latin-Americans who at the time were moving to the neighborhood in large numbers.
They soon added a small kitchen and counter in the back of the store, and began serving the favorite dishes of the fast-growing Dominican community and other Latin-Americans who at the time were moving to the neighborhood in large numbers.
La Calle Broa' • Broad Street | South Providence, RI
During the next decade after the Rosarios arrived, the Broad Street community was formed from a mix of immigrants from the Caribbean and across Latin America. Others moved to Rhode Island to escape the hustle and bustle of large urban places, like New York City, Newark, NJ, and Bridgeport, CT. Many found work in factories and other low-paying job. Others became entrepreneurs by opening their own businesses. Like the Rosarios, and to help them feel more "at home," they began offering the familiar foods and services to help their fellow Hispanics, who were moving in large number to the city.
La Calle Broa' • Broad Street | South Providence, RI
During the 1970s and '80s, activists and cultural workers laid the foundations for the Latino non-profit organizations that would develop in the following decades. At the same time, some Latino families began to settle in other nearby cities and towns, like Central Falls and Pawtucket.
Latin American Community Center
3 Harvard Street
Providence, RI 02907
In 1970, the Latin American Community Center (LACC) opened its doors with the support of Fr. Raymond Tetrault and the Catholic Diocese of Providence.
LACC was located at 3 Harvard Avenue, and its main purpose was to help Latinos adjust to life in America. Many of the new immigrants could not speak English, so they had no way of finding out how to fulfill their basic needs. The center provided a place where Latinos could go and explain their difficulties, and the staff would refer them to the appropriate city or state agency for service. LACC’s staff also helped find jobs for newcomers and offered English language classes for both adults and children.
LACC was located at 3 Harvard Avenue, and its main purpose was to help Latinos adjust to life in America. Many of the new immigrants could not speak English, so they had no way of finding out how to fulfill their basic needs. The center provided a place where Latinos could go and explain their difficulties, and the staff would refer them to the appropriate city or state agency for service. LACC’s staff also helped find jobs for newcomers and offered English language classes for both adults and children.
Iglesia Hispana “El Calvario” | 747 Broad Street | Providence, RI 02907
In the summer of 1974, Cuban minister Rev. Pedro Ortiz walked the streets of Rhode Island, knocking on the doors of local churches. He was there on behalf of the American Baptist Church, tasked with finding congregations willing to host Spanish-speaking services. It was the Calvary Baptist Church that opened its doors to him.
The Calvary Baptist Church has a long history in Providence, stretching back to 1854. One hundred and twenty years after its founding, the church at 747 Broad Street is today home to the first Baptist Hispanic (Iglesia Hispana) congregation on Broad Street and part of a watershed of Hispanic congregations forming across New England.
The Calvary Baptist Church has a long history in Providence, stretching back to 1854. One hundred and twenty years after its founding, the church at 747 Broad Street is today home to the first Baptist Hispanic (Iglesia Hispana) congregation on Broad Street and part of a watershed of Hispanic congregations forming across New England.
Antillas Restaurant | 736 Broad Street | Providence, RI 02907
In 1979 Roberto and José González, with business partner Michael Reyes, opened a restaurant called Antillas Restaurant. (NOTE: The name refers to the islands in the Antilles).
Antillas was located at 736 Broad Street, across from Cavalry Baptist Church, and it served Caribbean-style dishes like sancocho, tostones, and arroz con pollo to residents, students, and workers from St. Joseph's Hospital looking for homemade food.
Like many other places on Broad Street, the building is no longer there — it was demolished in the 1980s when streets were widened to make room for public transportation and added street parking.
Antillas was located at 736 Broad Street, across from Cavalry Baptist Church, and it served Caribbean-style dishes like sancocho, tostones, and arroz con pollo to residents, students, and workers from St. Joseph's Hospital looking for homemade food.
Like many other places on Broad Street, the building is no longer there — it was demolished in the 1980s when streets were widened to make room for public transportation and added street parking.
Borinquen Street | Providence, RI 02905
In 1984, members of the Puerto Rican community petitioned to change the name of Bishop Street, in the Dog Town section of South Providence. In an interview, Oswaldo "Ozzie" Castillo, a Puerto Rican activist, said: "Hispanics who lived on or near that street had a problem pronouncing the word 'Bishop.' In Spanish, the word bicho is a derogatory term, and so we requested to rename the street to Borinquen.”
Borinquen is the ancient name of the island of Puerto Rico. Before the Spanish Colonists arrived and renamed it Puerto Rico the indigenous Indians, The Tainos, called the land "Borinquen,” which means "Land of the Valiant Lord." Someone who is from Borinquen (Puerto Rico) is called a Boricua.
Borinquen is the ancient name of the island of Puerto Rico. Before the Spanish Colonists arrived and renamed it Puerto Rico the indigenous Indians, The Tainos, called the land "Borinquen,” which means "Land of the Valiant Lord." Someone who is from Borinquen (Puerto Rico) is called a Boricua.
La Calle Broa' • Broad Street | South Providence, RI
In 1991, La Casa del Chimi pulled up for the first time on the corner of Broad and Sackett Streets. A Chimi is a traditional sandwich made with grilled hamburger on toasted-crispy pan de agua, and topped with cabbage and a special sauce. It is favorite meal brought to Providence from the Dominican Republic. Chimi Trucks are a precursor to today's Food Truck phenomenon in Rhode Island. Today between 12-15 Chimi Trucks line up on La Broa' each night to sell Chimis, plus an expanded Dominican menu like quipes and pastelitos. Food trucks from other Latino cultures selling arepas, tacos and pinchos are often seen on Broad Street and people come from all over to enjoy these unique flavors and foods.
Funds for these projects made possible with partial support by:
Providence
- Fefa's Market
- Antillas Restaurant
- Iglesia Hispana El Calvario
- Latino American Community Center
- Borinquen Street
- International Market
Blackstone Valley
Latino Places That Matter | Rhode Island
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