Newport Creamery loses Garden City lease after 63 years amid Apple store speculation

CRANSTON, R.I. — After more than six decades as a staple in Garden City Center, the Newport Creamery restaurant will be closing after being denied a lease renewal by the plaza’s owner, WS Development.

Janice Matthews, Vice President of Jan Companies, which owns and operates Newport Creamery, confirmed the closure and expressed disappointment in the decision.

Rumors of a potential Apple Store moving into Garden City have circulated for years.

When the Matthews recently inquired whether Apple might be behind the lease termination, she said they were told only that WS Development had a “new plan” for the space. The Newport Creamery location in Garden City is one of the most well-known of the local chain’s remaining restaurants, known for its classic diner-style menu and signature Awful Awful milkshakes.

Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins has not publicly commented on the situation, and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, when asked, said he had heard nothing about Apple moving into the shopping center.

This story was first reported by WPRO’s Gene Valicenti.