PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Plant City, a well-known plant-based food hall in downtown Providence, has announced it will permanently close its waterfront flagship location on February 8, 2026. The restaurant has been in operation for more than six years, but owner Kim Anderson said the business could not recover from a long-term decline in customers that began in late 2023.
Anderson said the downturn started after the westbound lanes of the Washington Bridge were abruptly shut down in December 2023. The bridge, which carries Interstate 195 traffic between Providence and East Providence, was closed after engineers discovered serious structural problems that required an immediate shutdown for safety reasons. The original bridge has since been demolished, and construction of a replacement is expected to take several years, with reopening projected around 2028.
Plant City officials said the bridge closure significantly altered traffic patterns and made access to the waterfront location more difficult. Increased congestion and reduced visibility reportedly caused a steady loss of regular customers who once traveled that route, leaving the business unable to sustain operations despite efforts to adapt.
The closure has also sparked political discussion across Rhode Island. Governor Dan McKee and other state leaders have acknowledged that the bridge project affected traffic but have described the disruptions as part of the challenges that come with major infrastructure repairs. Critics, including McKee’s Democratic primary opponent, Helena Foulkes, argue that this response minimizes the financial strain placed on small businesses.
While the Providence location will shut down, Plant City plans to keep its Warwick and Barrington restaurants open. The downtown site, once promoted as the world’s largest plant-based food hall with multiple dining options, bars, a café, and retail space, ultimately could not overcome the continued drop in visitors tied to the ongoing Washington Bridge reconstruction.
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