Pawtucket rising

Congrats to Marion and John on the Blackstone's terrific new location at the Hope Artiste Village complex in Pawtucket, not far from the Providence line. It's a cool spot, and the presence of some other local luminaries -- including New Harvest Coffee -- are bringing fresh life to this part of town. I got to check it out during a well-attended recent open house, and it's a welcome development for the Bucket.

About a year or so ago, I grabbed a nocturnal mid-week drink with a friend at the News Cafe in downtown Pawtucket. A classic "old man's bar," it was spotless, and the bartender and few denizens couldn't have been friendlier. The funny thing was how if the same place was on the West Side of Providence, it would have been overrun by hipsters.

Pawtucket is still trying to find the right mix, but it keeps moving in the right direction -- as demonstrated by the Old Colony and Grant projects. You go, Bucket!