Signs have gone up at 158 Wickenden St. in Providence announcing that Hometown Poké is “coming soon,” signaling the poké restaurant is preparing to open in a space that used to belong to PVDonuts.
The new location will replace PVDonuts, which previously occupied the Wickenden Street address, according to WJAR. PVDonuts itself lists 158 Wickenden Street, Providence, RI 02903 as its address, according to PVDonuts. Signs posted at the site advertise the forthcoming poké shop.
A Growing Providence Footprint
This wouldn't be Hometown Poké's first Providence address. The business already runs a location at 185 Camp St., which remains open and operating. The Wickenden Street spot would add another Providence address for the business.
Hometown Poké's rise traces back to its food truck roots. The business began by serving poké out of a mobile cart before expanding into a brick-and-mortar storefront, a progression that reflects the company's growth from mobile operation to sit-down restaurant, per the station's report. Along the way, the menu has broadened beyond poké bowls to include toasts and acai items, and the restaurant's offerings now span fresh poké, toast and bubble tea.
East Greenwich Location's Fate Remains Murky
The Wickenden Street expansion comes after Hometown Poké closed its East Greenwich restaurant, a move the company made after sales could not cover operating costs there. Graze on Main is expected to take over that Main Street space, per the same account. Hometown Poké continues to serve customers through its food truck in addition to its Providence restaurant, Hometown Poké continues to serve customers through its food truck in addition to its Providence restaurant, according to a separate report.
What happens next in East Greenwich isn't entirely clear. Hometown Poké's own website advertises a second location coming soon at 37 Main Street in East Greenwich, stating, “SECOND LOCATION COMING SOON! | 37 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818.” But a separate report states the company has officially closed its East Greenwich restaurant. The two accounts conflict, and nothing in the available reporting resolves which is accurate.
For now, the clearest development is the one playing out on Wickenden Street, where diners can watch for signage updates as Hometown Poké works toward opening its newest Providence storefront.
