On a cold winter night, 400 of PVD's merriest yelpers gathered together at The Biltmore Hotel to kick-off the holiday season at Yelp's Merry Marketplace! With over 30 of PVD's finest restaurants, breweries, spirits and boutique vendors selling and sampling their wares, the night 'twas merry indeed!
"It's called a Merry Marketplace but could easily be renamed a Holiday Spectacular. From the moment" William H stepped off the elevator and into the ballroom, he "was greeted with a feast of sensory and holiday delights!" Yelp's Merry Marketplace was indeed "a very merry way to kick off the season! It was a beautiful winter night," and meeting all of the "friendly vendors that were happy to explain their products, their process, and where it all came from was so fun." Add in the "perfect view of PVD from the top of the Biltmore," and Christina V was in holiday heaven.
Kelsey D's "a total sucker for local distilleries and breweries, so getting to meet faces" behind Ravenous Brewing Co. and Bucket Brewery" was the bee's knees." Also "pleasantly surprised by 'Gansett's expanded line," Ms K's impressed by "the limited edition Imperial and the bohemian pilsner they're putting out."
Jaclyn P's "mental shopping list is a mile long" after ogling such beautiful treasures as the "jewelry at Shoppe Pioneer, soap from Noon Designs, gift boxes from Grapes and Grains, Dave's Coffee Syrup for every single person on my list" and for herself, "the ceviche from Los Andes." Scrumptious!"Sandwich Hut was putting out some of their scrumptious sandwiches" and Jennifer E dove right for 'em, along with a tipple or two "mixed by one of PVD's most talented mixologists," Jen Ferreira of Lucas Bols. "The citrus twist added a hint of flavor that made the classic" G&Ts she was serving "even better." As for the shopping, "the great shops from around the city were out to show Yelpers their best stuff and get everyone in the mood to give."
I extend a most heartfelt and hearty thank you to all of the magnificent local businesses that came together for this extraordinary event: Queen of Hearts & Modern Love, Shoppe Pioneer, Homestyle, Mod Mama, Ava Anderson Non-Toxic, Noon Jewelry, Ahlers Designs, Kreatilier, Dream Antenna, Studio DTW, Gemstone Jewelry by Melanie Nines, The Providence Animal Rescue League and Jamie Oliver At Home. The wonderful restaurants Los Andes and Sandwich Hut really outdid themselves with the amazing food, and Daniele Inc, Corn & Co and Pretzel Crisps added plenty of tastiness to the evening. Libations from Narragansett Beer, Bucket Brewery, Ravenous Brewing Co, Onyx Moonshine, Yacht Club Soda, Dave's Coffee, Lucas Bols and Grapes & Grains kept the party going and our dear friends and Alayne White Spa and Citron Spa kept everybody relaxed and in the mood to shop without dropping.
A most sincere thank you to the incredible Brad Smith of Brad Smith Photography for capturing a very special evening in beautiful photos, to ShutterBooth for adding an element of pure fun, and to Ambient Sound and The Biltmore Hotel for providing the most glamorous space in the city, and for dressing it up in gorgeous holiday lighting and setting the festive tone for the evening.
On a more personal note, I am so very proud of and touched by this incredible community we have created. Our donation bin for The Ronald McDonald House was absolutely overflowing — in fact, I had an SUV filled to the brim with the gifts you all so generously donated to our fellow Rhode Islanders who, more than anyone, need a little holiday cheer this year. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are truly an incredible community that I am deeply honored to be a part of.
"This was a Yelp event to end all Yelp events. What an excellent mix of food, drinks and businesses under one roof. The best part of the night" for Ryan D was "looking out over the floor and saying, wow Yelp you have grown in the years I have been a Yelper!"
And with that, Merry Yelpmas to all, and to all a good Yelp! See you in '14…
– Hilary H, Yelp Providence Community Manager
