Maria S.

Diamond Cleaners Inc

You can bet that when you take something to Diamond Cleaners you'll get personalized high quality service. There is an easy drop off center in a shopping plaza where you get virtually one stop shopping done. For your convenience they also offer pick-up/drop-off service. When you have a spot on your article just point it out and they'll do their best to remove it. I thought this was great! What I really love about Diamond is that they have a mailing list. When you provide you e-mail address you get period newsletters with cleaning tips, coupons and information about their services. How about that for high tech service?

PROS: Easy in, easy out
CONS: Only pick up and deliver to certain areas

Riccotti's Of Federal Hill

I grew up going to Ricotti's. The one near me closed several years ago and I found this one. They make what some people call a sub sandwich, others may call it a grinder. Regardless, they used fresh bread and fresh fixings for the American or Italian sub sandwich with whatever you want on it. I moved out of state for several years and found out that they still made the best steak sandwich I ever had. Until one day they closed for renovations. Okay, so it took some time to get the place together. One day I rode by and saw that they had reopened and kept that in mind when I craved my next Riccotti's steak sandwich. Well, to my disappointment it was lunch time and the place was closed! The lights were on but no one was there. Why this shop was closed during the day without a sign in the window is something I'll never know. Now I have learned to make my own steak sandwich with shaved steak from the grocery store. All right it's not exactly the same, but I did watch and learn from the best. Maybe one day I'll stop by and see them open and maybe I'll ask them why they were closed in the middle of a business day.

PROS: Quick service when available
CONS: Often closed during business hours

Brown-Fox Point Early Chldhd

Located in the Brown University area this children's center provides full-day care for children aged 4-6. The beauty part of this center is that the children come from varied backgrounds and they learn from one another about their respectives cultures. A close-knit group of teachers have separate classrooms according to the age of the child. An ordinary day may begin with a discussion period, playtime/learning centers time (playing with blocks, drawing, reading and writing), snack, a field trip on the local trolley or a walk around the neighborhood to explore the area, after all of the activity lunch is served and it's nap time. The afternoon may consists of more play time and an afternoon snack and going into play areas of the child's choice until it's time to go home. When the weather permits children spend time in the playground that is located on the grounds of the center. The teachers are also supported by foster grandparents, volunteers and interns from the nearby colleges leaving each child well attended. This is a great place for a child to meet his or her first best friend and to get top notch care from a loving group of teachers.

PROS: The center offers financial assistance.
CONS:

City Cuts

I love City Cuts. A few years ago I was walking behind Providence City Hall and saw this huge sign for $10.00 haricuts. I took a chance and went in and got just what I asked for. No one tried to tell me what they thought would look on me. Nor did I find in the end that Edward Scissorhands got a hold of my head. My stylist was young, chatty and pleasant. At the time I discovered that they didn't just cut hair but also could handle a variety of treatments for men, women and children of all hair types. The fees range according to the type of service requested.

Unfortunately, I had skipped several months without a trim and returned to a change in employees. Now the owner is my stylist, not as young, not as chatty but equally pleasant. Also the price has gone up to $12.00. That's still pretty reasonable considering that costs are rising on just about everything. You walk in, get what you want and still have enough leftover for a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Who could argue with that?

PROS: They take walk-in customers and city employees can go on their lunch hour.
CONS: Located on a downtown side street with very little parking nearby.

Cvs Pharmacy

Located in the College Hill area of Providence, this CVS location is ideal for students and employees in the area. This particular store is small and does not offer a pharmacy. Still the store is easy to get around with large aisle signs guiding you along towards the neatly placed items. One problem is that it gets a lot of traffic and often times customers will find themselves waiting in a long line just to buy a candy bar or a bottle of water. On the other hand, if you see something on sale and they don't have it in stock you are immediately offered a raincheck instead of an insincere apology. That in itself makes the wait in line worth the wait.

PROS: In walking distance to the colleges in the area.
CONS: Not enough help at the register during busy hours.

Big Lots

Big Lots is a bargain hunter's delight! The store offers one stop shopping minus the groceries. The store doesn't offer much service on the floor but it is easy to navigate on your own. If you are curious about quality of goods, don't worry. A majority of the goods sold are first-rate and hard to find elsewhere. You may even find food items of the gourmet variety that will keep you coming back for more. There's so much to choose from so plan to stick around for awhile. You'll never know what bargains you may find at Big Lots!

PROS: Some things are not in stock on a regular basis.
CONS: No stores are located in Rhode Island, yet.

Staples

When you walk into a Staples you become like a kid in a candy store. Really, you do. There is so much to choose from when you are in need of any type of office supplies, computer related items and office furniture. Need copies? They can do that too. At a loss for what kind or brand to buy in the product you need? Just look for someone in red, they'll point you in the right direction. In fact, you won't have to look far. The employees are friendly, knowledgeable and don't hover over you if you tell them you don't need help. One of the best things is that if you are a business owner Staples offers a Rewards cards that gives you back 2% of what you spend each quarter and discounts on your copy needs. This particular Staples chain has excellent service and is conveniently located near a Boston Market and a McDonald's should you feel the need treat yourself to a bite to eat after you saved a few bucks at Staples, a super office supply store.

PROS: You need it, they got!
CONS:

United States Post Office

Located on the East Side of Providence this is one of the busier branches during the early spring and holidays when local college students need to send things home to mom and dad. Being busy doesn't keep the postal workers from giving the best service possible. There is always a little light jazz music playing in the background and friendly chatter to keep customers happy. You'll leave the East Side branch of the USPS smiling and looking forward to the day you need to buy more stamps or send out a package.

Citizens Bank

This particular branch of Citizens Bank is conveniently located on the corner of Waterman and Brook Streets on the East Side of Providence. This ideal location draws a majority customers from Brown University, Johnson & Wales University and RISD students and employees along with a variety of local area businesses. During a busy lunch hour the line may seem long, but moves quickly and smoothly. The banking services offered are phenomenal and to make life easier in our age of technology customers can easily choose between monitoring their account(s) by automated phone service or online. This branch is a class act that anyone looking to handle their money wisely should surely consider.

PROS: Conveniently located.
CONS:

The Noggins Nest

A neat litle hat shop off the beaten track on the upper end of Wickenden Street. All styles of hats can be found at Noggins Nest. It's proprieter is there everyday except Sunday to help both women and men choose the hat that is right for them. If you need a hat to match a brand new outfit or one just to protect you from the sun, you'll most likely find it within minutes. Traveling back and forth to New York City the proprieter makes certain that only the latest styles are on display. For this reason the prices are pretty steep, but to most hat aficianados they are worth the cost and the trip to the "other end" of the popular Wickenden Street.

PROS: Friendly and knowledgeable service.
CONS: The hats are a little on the expensive side.