There's a Gift Shop Inside the Old Lyric Movie Theater, and It's Got Cows in It
2021-06-13
Tracey Folly
Blogger, vlogger
Ye olde movie theatre is now locally-owned Imagine Gift Store, and it's a bovine delight
One of four Cows on Parade displayed at Imagine Gift Store in Bristol, Rhode IslandTracey Folly/Author
Imagine Gift Store is located at 5 Miller Street, Warren, Rhode Island 02885.
Founded in 2005, this charming yet oversized local gift shop is located in historic Warren, Rhode Island. Impressively spanning three levels, Imagine is the largest gift store in New England. The gift shop building is located in the fully-restored Lyric Theatre, and and it covers three stories full of great gifts.
But the first thing you might notice about Imagine Gift Store is the cows.
As you can see from the photo at the top of the page, there are life-size cows at Imagine. Well, they aren't real cows but rather large examples of post-modern artwork associated with CowParade. "What is CowParade?" you may ask.
"CowParade is the largest and most successful public art event in the world. CowParade events have been staged in 79 cities worldwide since 1999 including Chicago (1999), New York City (2000), London (2002), Tokyo (2003), and Brussels (2003). Dublin (2003), Prague (2004), and Stockholm (2004), Mexico City (2005), Sao Paulo (2005), Buenos Aires (2006), Boston (2006) Paris (2006), Milan (2007, Istanbul (2007), Taipei (2009), Rio (2011), North Carolina (2013), Hong Kong (2013), Hartford (2014), Detroit (2104), Cartagena (2015).
It is estimated that over 250 million people around the world have seen one our famous cows. Over $30 million have been raised through worldwide charitable organizations through the auction of the cows, which take place at the conclusion of each event. Over 10,000 artists worldwide have participated in CowParade – professional and amateur, famous and emerging, young and old. Over 5,000 cows have been created!
At Imagine Gift Store, we feature 4 Full-Sized Cows which are on display both inside and outside the store, as well as miniature cows which can be purchased within the store!"
If the two life-size cows on the exterior of the building escape your notice, then the bright purple paint covering the exterior of the building ought to alert you that you are in the right place. Pink and yellow accents make the place nearly impossible to miss.
A handful of green seaglass rests on a person's palm.Photo by Kenrick Mills on Unsplash
One of the most intriguing items sold at Imagine Gift Store is a bracelet made with genuine Rhode Island seaglass. The Rhode Island Seaglass Necklace in sterling silver sells for $58.Other highlights include the Rhode Island Coin Bracelet, Beach Sand Bangles, and the Touch The World Bracelet. The coolest thing about the Beach Sand Bangles is choosing where your sand came from. Options are Barrington Beach, Fenway Park, Roger Williams University, Bristol Town Beach, Castle Hill Lighthouse, and Rhode Island Beaches.
Sea, sky, and a sandy beach with two beach chairs.Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
There's even a 1950's style ice-cream parlor on-site.There are a number of wonderful things about ice cream. I’ve been thinking lately about why people love ice cream. It seems that if you ask anyone who loves ice cream, they will tell you it is because of the creamy texture and fresh taste.There are lots of reasons why people love ice cream. But one reason is that ice cream is connected to our childhood. When we were kids, parents often took the kids to the ice cream shop so they could get a taste of this delicious treat. And kids loved it. Ice cream was a fun treat for them to enjoy with friends and family.Ice cream at Imagine Gift Store is served for the season every year beginning in April.
A row of various flavors of ice cream in cones lies side by side.Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
The current owner of the 10,000- square-foot space is Michelle Santiago, a Rhode Island native, who acquired the gift shop in 2016, a decade after its inception.From Yelp:"Michelle, the owner of Imagine Gift Store always had a vivid imagination growing up however as far as specifically owning a retail business such as Imagine Gift Store, that is where fate jumped in. Michelle graduated a college nearby Imagine Gift Store and during school the store quickly became her favorite gift shop. About 5 years after she graduated and heard the business was being sold she jumped on the opportunity and the rest is history. Michelle cherishes the moments where she is able to meet and talk to her customers. She also looks forward to holidays every year and decorating the store. Imagine Gift Store also hosts many different events which Michelle loves participating in as well as community events. Be sure to check out the website to learn more about Imagine Gift Store!"
This is third-party content from NewsBreak’s Contributor Program. Join today to publish and share your own content.
