A Bittersweet Farewell: Cranston's Iconic Newport Creamery Shuts Its Doors After Nearly Seven Decades

Well, it's always a bit of a sad moment when a long-standing local favorite decides to call it a day, isn't it? And that's exactly what happened recently with the Newport Creamery on Reservoir Avenue in Cranston, Rhode Island. After nearly 70 years of serving up sweet treats and comfort food, the doors at the 1100 Reservoir Avenue location officially closed on Sunday, June 9th, leaving many in the community feeling a distinct sense of loss.

For generations of Rhode Islanders, particularly those in and around Cranston, this particular Newport Creamery wasn't just another restaurant. It was a backdrop for countless first dates, family celebrations, and those impromptu after-school milkshakes. Think about it: seven decades. That's a lifetime for many, a place where memories were made, sticky hands were wiped, and the legendary 'Awful Awful' milkshake became a rite of passage.

The folks at Newport Creamery, I'm sure, didn't make this decision lightly. They put out a statement, acknowledging the 'difficult' nature of closing a location that's been such a part of the community for so long. The company emphasized that this move was part of a broader strategy to 'optimize our operations,' which, in business terms, often means making tough choices for the brand's long-term health. It's never easy, especially when it involves saying goodbye to a beloved spot.

Of course, a closure like this always impacts the people who work there. Thankfully, Newport Creamery confirmed that all employees from the Cranston location were offered positions at other existing restaurants, which is certainly a silver lining in an otherwise bittersweet situation. It's good to know that familiar faces might still be serving up those signature ice cream sundaes elsewhere.

Newport Creamery, as a brand, is deeply woven into the fabric of Rhode Island. It's truly an iconic local institution, famous, of course, for its quirky-named 'Awful Awful' milkshake (so good, so awful for you, they say!). While this particular Cranston spot is gone, the company isn't vanishing entirely. There are still 10 other locations spread across Rhode Island and Massachusetts, ensuring that the tradition of Newport Creamery lives on, ready to create new memories for future generations.

Still, the closure of a nearly 70-year-old establishment like the Cranston Newport Creamery serves as a poignant reminder of how our local landscapes are constantly changing. It’s more than just a restaurant closing; it’s a piece of local history, a cherished gathering spot, that's now a memory. We'll certainly miss that familiar corner on Reservoir Avenue, but the taste of those 'Awful Awfuls' will undoubtedly linger for years to come.