02908 Merchant Association Enhancing Opportunity, Connection in the North End of Providence RI
PROVIDENCE, RI – April 7, 2025
The 02908 Merchant Association may just be a few short months into its operations, but its impact on the small businesses and nonprofits in the 02908 ZIP code of Providence, Rhode Island, is far-reaching.
Co-founded by half full, llc, Bodega on Smith, and Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone (CPO-HEZ), the 02908 Merchant Association is dedicated to advocating for local businesses, fostering connections, and enhancing community economic opportunities. With more than 35 businesses already registered as members — and a larger community movement supporting its efforts — the Merchant Association gives a voice to historically underserved Rhode Island communities, increases access to information for local businesses, and sheds a light on the vibrancy and impact of the 02908 district, among other important charters.
“At half full, the ‘full’ side of the business has always been about having the means to give or pay it forward. Co-founding the Merchant Association gave us the opportunity to expand upon our advocacy work by connecting resource to resource, person to person, and making sure that the networks within this particular zip code are as strong as everywhere else,” says Wole Akinbi, half full Community Liaison. “The North End of Providence deserves the same amount of resources and the same access that all the other communities have in this city. The Merchant Association is one important way that we're addressing that and also bringing local businesses together.”
For Kenneth Zorabedian, owner of Bodega on Smith, United Parking and Providence Vending, all based in the 02908 district — the need for a Merchant Association has long existed.
When Zorabedian opened the Bodega in the Smith Hill area three years ago, he saw an opportunity to provide local businesses with a platform to be heard and for advocacy efforts to strengthen within the region. As such, when Akinbi approached Zorabedian to help co-found the association, the decision to say yes was a quick one.
“The Merchant Association gives a voice to the community and ensures that someone is going to have our back,” he says. “It’s also bringing awareness to who and what is in the area. I thought I was in touch with the neighborhood and the businesses here, but I haven’t known half the people who have been showing up to the meetings, and that they have a business in the 02908, so it’s been eye-opening for me.”
For fellow co-founder CPO-HEZ, a place-based comprehensive initiative aimed at increasing economic mobility and health equity across nine neighborhoods in Central Providence, the decision to help champion the Merchant Association was an easy one to make. As one of 14 Health Equity Zones across the state of Rhode Island, CPO-HEZ is always looking at ways to support the small business sector and functions as the Merchant Association's fiscal agent.
“Through our work, we are focused on addressing mobility drivers of economic opportunity and increasing quality employment in the neighborhood,” says Dominique Resendes, Associate Director of Community Infrastructure at One Neighborhood Builders, the backbone agency that supports the work of CPO-HEZ. “CPO-HEZ aims to support business owners by ensuring they have access to resources and are set up for success. The Merchant Association is doing this by fostering community connection and embracing community consciousness in how we’re operating.”
Kyle McKendall, Vice President of Resource Development & Communications at One Neighborhood Builders, added: “This partnership reflects our desire to pilot innovative ways to improve health equity and increase economic opportunities in the neighborhood.”
The Merchant Association meets the last Tuesday of every month and is gearing up for a number of upcoming events which they will partner in and/or lead that will expand the reach, awareness, and impact of the association, including the Smith Hill Block Party in August and The Taste of 02908 in September.
Membership for 2025 is free, and when local businesses join they will be instantly connected to a powerful network of small business owners, community leaders, and organizations dedicated to supporting and strengthening the community. Residents in 02908 can sign up for membership by clicking here. Those who are interested in being part of the larger movement can sign up for the Merchant Association newsletter by clicking here.
“We are in really good shape,” says Akinbi. “There’s a lot of momentum behind the Merchant Association, we are riding the wave, and we’ve just started!”
About half full, llc
half full, llc has been helping teams and individuals move forward since 2005. An industry leader in the personal, professional, and organizational development field, half full, llc offers creative and effective problem-solving workplace development techniques to help organizations, teams, and individuals get ahead.
Passionate about giving back as part of its “do well, do good” social impact business model, half full, llc invests in their community through Youth Forwards, corporate service days with clients and community activism such as the founding of the Smith Hill Partners' Initiative, community clean-ups and neighborhood canvassing. By offering seasonal personal and leadership development workshops at no cost to teenagers, their goal is to empower youth to embrace what makes them unique and begin discovering who and why they are, so that they feel confident using their voices and driving positive change.
About Bodega on Smith
Located on Smith Street in Providence, Bodega on Smith (BOS) has become a neighborhood staple, known for its gourmet sandwiches, vegan-friendly menu, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. While they originally gained buzz for their hidden speakeasy behind the deli, they've since evolved. The speakeasy has transitioned into a private event space—perfect for intimate gatherings, curated dinners, pop-ups, and more. They continue to serve up some of the city’s best sandwiches by day and have expanded their offerings to include both onsite and offsite catering for everything from office lunches to large-scale celebrations. Their recently renovated patio and outdoor event space offer added flexibility for hosting one-of-a-kind events in the heart of Smith Hill.
Whether you’re stopping in for lunch or planning your next event, BOS is here to serve the community with great food, good vibes, and creative energy.
About One Neighborhood Builders & CPO-HEZ
One Neighborhood Builders (ONB) is a nonprofit community development leader that improves lives across Rhode Island by building homes and connecting communities. They use their more than 35 years of practical experience in the housing and community development fields to test new ideas and challenge entrenched systems. Since its founding, ONB has developed over 480 affordable rental apartments, 140 homeownership opportunities, and 45,000 square feet of community and commercial space, reflecting over $145 million of community investments. ONB is the convening entity of Central Providence Opportunities: A Health Equity Zone (CPO-HEZ), a place-based collective impact initiative of more than 60 stakeholders across the nine neighborhoods of Central Providence. CPO-HEZ advances the shared vision for greater health and economic equity in the 02908 and 02909 ZIP codes.