North Providence Approves Smith Street Game Cafe License Amid Parking Concerns and E-Bike Review

The North Providence Town Council approved a limited beer-and-wine license for a Smith Street board game cafe on Wednesday night, addressing intense neighborhood parking concerns while simultaneously pushing a review of town e-bike regulations to committee.

According to the North Providence Town Council’s published meeting recording covered by upriseri.com, the council’s voice votes tackled a sweeping agenda along Smith Street and Mineral Spring Avenue. Among the most contested items was an application from The Game House LLC, which sought approval for a Class BV limited liquor license and a victualling license at 1726 Smith St.

Co-owner August Bogner appeared alongside another owner and their attorney to secure the permits for the board game lounge, which opened two months ago in the former David’s Furniture space, as detailed by thelocalinsidernews.com. The legal representative told the council that the venue spans just under 1,200 square feet with roughly 30 seats, four bar stools, and a library exceeding 200 games. Emphasizing that the space is not a bar or a restaurant, the attorney noted that food offerings are limited to reheated precooked frozen items and prepackaged snacks, and confirmed both owners hold alcohol TIPS certifications. Proposed operating hours run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, extending to 11 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

North Providence Approves Smith Street Game Cafe License Amid Parking Concerns and E-Bike Review — Photo: thelocalinsidernews.com

Neighborhood Opposition and Parking Disputes on Smith Street

That business model failed to reassure every local resident. Two neighbors spoke out against the licensing request, pointing to severe parking congestion in front of the building—which they noted currently houses five distinct businesses—that obstructs sightlines for motorists pulling out onto Smith Street.

One resident, who identified herself as pregnant, told the council that several accidents had already occurred in the immediate area. She argued that introducing alcohol sales and later evening hours would inevitably exacerbate existing safety hazards. A council member who lives in the neighborhood acknowledged that parking remains an ongoing problem. Even so, another council member countered that parking shortages do not constitute a legally justifiable basis for denying a liquor license, classifying the complaint as a zoning matter.

approved a limited beer-and-wine license for a Smith Street board game cafe

An owner defended the business by noting they successfully secured a parking variance, which included installing a second no-parking sign on Oregon Avenue as a condition of their earlier approval. To address the broader infrastructure friction, the council voted to refer the Smith Street parking dilemma to its Ordinance Committee, dispatch a formal inquiry to the state Department of Transportation, and invite the building’s owner to a future public session. A local police lieutenant also confirmed that patrol officers would actively monitor the strip for parking violations.

Hospital Treats Rising Number of E-Bike Injuries

Away from the commercial disputes along Smith Street, the council turned its attention to municipal safety infrastructure by taking up the regulation of electric bicycles at the request of Councilman Steven DiLorenzo. Lt. Guindon briefed the chamber on local accident trends, revealing that Hasbro Children’s Hospital treated 85 e-bike-related emergency room visits throughout 2025. That figure surged dramatically to 143 visits in the first seven months of the current year.

Highlighting that state law strictly prohibits individuals under 16 from operating an e-bike, the lieutenant characterized the town’s existing municipal code as entirely outdated. The council promptly voted to send the e-bike issue to the Ordinance Committee while directing the town solicitor to draft a modernized regulatory ordinance.

Council Approves Multiple Business Licenses and Permits

The council’s packed docket also cleared a wide array of other local business requests and municipal expenditures. Members approved a liquor license transfer and outdoor service permit for Chew and Brew LLC at 2009 Smith St. with applicants indicating an opening target of roughly three weeks. Another liquor license transfer, victualling license, and entertainment permit were granted to TACK LLC, operating as Cook and Dagger at 2031 Smith St. under owners Chris Kattawar and Taylor Krickl.

The town also approved victualling licenses for Domino’s Pizza on Mineral Spring Avenue and Uncle Mike’s Diner, whose new owners pledged to maintain the existing operational concept. Meanwhile, the licensing review for Moon Espresso Cafe was continued to December after no representative appeared.

On the financial and infrastructure front, grant manager Maria Rosa Takuma received authorization to apply for $250,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding dedicated to a storefront facade program, with a state decision expected by December or January. The council also adopted Ordinance 26-016 to amend the municipal budget without debate, and directed its legal counsel to draft a petition for Beckside residents regarding a long-awaited sewer main estimated at $275,000, which Councilman Steven Loporchio noted would be funded through property assessments.

Unresolved matters, including the Moon Espresso Cafe license and mounting community concerns over traffic congestion and drop-off logistics at the new Morgan Avenue school—which Councilman Mario Martone labeled an absolute nightmare—will return for deliberation at the council’s December meeting.