Go to Roba Dolce. Shun Cold Stone. Be a Good Person.

Do I think that people who like the Cold Stone Creamery are evil? No, of course not. That would be going too far. Well, it doesn't prove they aren't evil. Maybe...sometimes yes, I do think that.

I've been to the Cold Stone Creamery on Thayer Street once. I waited in line for almost ten minutes as a bunch of teenagers led by a psychotically cheerful fat woman belted out songs every time they got a tip. I think, at one point, the gates of Hell opened up behind the counter and melted some of the toppings, which caused further delays, during which there was more singing.

Contrast that with Roba Dolce across the street. Now, I'd never say the place is perfect: sometimes I think it feels a little too slick and polished, like it needs to age a decade before it feels like it belongs. Still, the atmosphere says 'good' and 'fun' without resorting to painful gimmicks or caddle-prodding the staff when they don't smile wide enough. And what's more, they serve light, fluffy gelato instead of the almost un-finishable mound of candy-stuffed ice cream you get at Cold Stone.


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The other nice thing about Roba Dolce (if you've been to their web site, it's technically Roba!Dolce, but that exclamation point is undercutting the 'not cheesy' part of my argument a little bit, so I'm typing it the uncrazy way) is that it is locally owned. They've got their headquarters in Providence, another store in Newport, and more on the way up in Boston.

So here's what you do, quick, before the summer is out. Go to Roba Dolce, choose from the 20 or so flavors (I recommend pistachio gelato), maybe get a coffee, and either sit out on the deck or walk up and down Thayer Street. While you won't feel like you're in Italy (the cliche you hear about every gelato place), you might convince yourself that the whole Renaissance City label is more than just a bit of Providence boosterism.

Crankin' Out Innovation

Providence is about more than nightlife. It is rumored that many people work as many as 8 hours a day here to support their social habits. That's why it's good to have institutions like the Business Innovation Factory. If you're interested in the way the business world is evolving, or the future of the local idea-based economy, it's worth checking out.

And because we're in the business of promoting Rhode Island happenings, I should add that they're holding a pretty kick-ass conference at Trinity Rep on October 10th and 11th. They even got Mark Cuban to make an appearance.