Popular Downtown Spot Reopens with a New Name and a New Menu

Mayor Taveras this week celebrated the grand reopening of the Providence Cookie Salad Bar, formerly called the Providence Cookie Company, at an official ribbon-cutting with area customers and local officials.

The Providence Cookie Company was a familiar landmark in downtown for more than 32 years, under the ownership of Ms. Bette Hills, and the new business continues at that same location at 15 Peck Street.

Rojwan "Sajo" Can, purchased the business in early December, and is now offering an expanded menu, which includes salads and lunch items, including muffins, cookies, calzones, wraps and salads. He was the former owner of the Salad Bowl restaurant, which was located in the Providence Arcade.

The Providence Economic Development Partnership provided a $15,000 loan to the business for acquisition costs, equipment and working capital. The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center, funded by the US SBA and Johnson & Wales University - and a partner of the PEDP - will be providing additional follow-on technical assistance to the business, in marketing, operations and finance.

"Today we celebrate two important businesses in downtown Providence that have joined together as one new company - the Cookie Place Salad Bar," said Mayor Taveras.