Press & Media

ThamesGiving aims to create buzz in Newport this November. What it's all about....by Will Richmond

As the buzz around Newport tends to slow a bit in the month of November, a new effort among businesses along Thames Street is hoping to bring people into the City-by-the-Sea.

Known as ThamesGiving, more than 80 stores, restaurants and businesses along the waterfront road have partnered on the new concept organized by Michele Gallagher, founder of City-by-the-Sea Communications, in an effort to assist local businesses following the rainy weekend fall season. 

(To read more, visit www.https://www.newportri.com/story/entertainment/events/2023/11/07/thamesgiving-in-newport-promotes-local-shopping-dining-on-thames-st/71472190007/)

Stroll Newport Thursdays for ThamesGiving shopping

Through Nov. 30th: ThamesGiving invites shoppers, museum-goers, and restaurant lovers to enjoy holiday specials along busy Thames Street in Newport every Thursday of the month (except for Thanksgiving). Newport. 

ThamesGiving stroller and WPRI 12 The Rhode Show co-host Audrey McClelland mentioned ThamesGiving and our 80 participating shops, restaurants and merchants as they opened the show on Thursday, Nov. 16th. Thank you for visiting Newport, Audrey! We had a blast with you and your family!

By Marissa Barrett

Newport has transformed its usual quiet off-season schedule into a lively atmosphere with ThamesGiving.

Every Thursday in November, excluding Thanksgiving, more than eighty shops and restaurants are joining forces to celebrate a month of giving back to the community. The final two ThamesGivings take place on Thursday, November 16 (corrected), and Thursday, November 30. This includes extended hours, discounts and in-store promotions.

Newport’s beloved 12 Metre Café is using the opportunity to bring back their family dinner menu rumored to include a beloved recipe at a family-friendly price. O’Brien’s Pub will also be participating by offering a complimentary bowl of clam chowder to customers who bring in a household or personal item to support Lucy’s Hearth, a local shelter for homeless children and families.

Along with store specials, a “Copper Pumpkin Passport” scavenger hunt has been organized, where stickers can be collected by finding hidden pumpkins in stores, restaurants or the garden courtyard. Completed passports will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win gifts and gift certificates from various Newport businesses.

“There is a magic in Newport – around Thames Street especially – that is very unpretentious, neighborly, diverse and extremely community-centric,” says founder of City-by-the-Sea Communications, Michele Gallagher. “We all want to see our neighbors succeed despite the weather and pandemic setbacks of recent years. We’re working together to pay forward the excitement we all share for our historic, harborside city.”

From 5-7 p.m., strollers will be greeted by festive storefronts and sidewalk musicians, making it an exciting experience for holiday shopping or leisurely browsing. For more information on participating businesses and special offers, visit the event’s website.

The first-ever “ThamesGiving,” a Thanksgiving event that will include raffles, scavenger hunts, food and live music along Thames Street and beyond on Thursday, Nov. 9, Nov. 16 and Nov. 30.

Nearly 80 businesses will be offering discounts and seasonal specials. A full list of participating stores can be found on thamesgiving.com.

Michele Gallagher, event organizer and founder of City-by-the-Sea Communications said the event will feature a scavenger hunt, where participants can collect stickers when they find a hidden pumpkin in each participating location. The stickers will be entered into a raffle to win prizes and gift cards from local businesses. There will be music from Music by Norm, in the Admiral Fitzroy Inn courtyard, from 5 to 7 p.m., and the Rogers High School band will be performing at the International Yacht Restoration School on Nov. 30.

Among the restaurant specials will be a complimentary bowl of clam chowder from O’Brien’s Pub in exchange for a household or personal item donation to Lucy’s Hearth shelter, while 12 Meter Café is offering a special family-dinner themed menu and extended hours on ThamesGiving evenings. Meanwhile, Ben and Jerry’s will donate 25 percent of its fall-themed shakes to The Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County, and Man Overboard will donate 10 percent of its proceeds towards a scholarship fund for local high school students looking to pursue the arts.

Gallagher said she launched the event to highlight Newport in the off-season and create an opportunity to give back.

“We all want to see our neighbors succeed despite the weather and pandemic setbacks of recent years,” she said. “We’re working together to pay forward the excitement we all share for our historic, harbor-side city.”

Correction: The RHS band sentence should read "members of the Rogers High School band will be performing on the IYRS property, weather-permitting, on Nov. 30th. 

ThamesGiving Founder and Presenting Sponsor Michele Gallagher of City-by-the-Sea Communications welcomes RI Lt. Governor Sabina Matos and Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong for a tour of Lower Thames St. shops on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25th 2023.

https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/lt-governor-visits-lower-thames-for-small-business-saturday/