Garden City Center is closing Newport Creamery. Now, officials are threatening their tax breaks.

Newport Creamery must vacate its Garden City Center location by December 2026 after the mall chose not to renew its lease. Janice Matthews, a representative for Newport Creamery, expressed disappointment over the mall's indecisiveness during the renewal process. Representative Charlene Lima criticized WS Development for neglecting small businesses and announced plans to review the mall's tax incentives. Newport Creamery is currently scouting for a new location in Cranston, aiming to avoid proximity to its Warwick site. Matthews noted that finding suitable restaurant space is challenging due to escalating costs.

Lima recalled a previous incident involving the closure of a beloved restaurant, linking the current situation with a broader trend of displacing local businesses. The mall has not confirmed any new tenants for the space, raising concerns about its future use. Lima's call for a police detail reflects community concerns over safety and crime levels in the area.