by The Cowl Editor on November 9, 2018
Campus
By Hannah Langley ’21
Providence College boasts having many clubs and organizations that organize on-campus events, and the Board of Programmers (BOP) is probably one of the most involved in student-oriented events.
On Friday, November 2, BOP’s social committee held Friar Flea For All. This event, which took place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Slavin Atrium, featured various vendors from the Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut area.
BOP’s social committee creates fun and engaging events designed to bring the whole PC community together to create memories and a better college experience.
When asked about the inspiration behind Flea For All, Corrie Traverse ’20, head of BOP’s social committee, said that the idea came from Laura Fusco ’20, another member of the social committee who is currently studying abroad in Copenhagen. “Because she is not here during the fall semester, I decided to make her idea come to life,” said Traverse.
Traverse initially liked the idea, as she not only thought it would intrigue PC students, but also would help to promote small businesses in the area. “We thought that PC students would be very interested in shopping locally,” said Traverse, “I thought it would be a great idea to showcase what neighboring businesses have to offer.”
The vendors at the event included Nitro Cart, which is already well-known to PC students, Good Fibes, Universe Letters, House of Phillipa, Colonel’s Collectibles, and Frey Florist.
Each of these vendors had something fun and unique to contribute to the shopping experience for PC students.
As many PC students already know, Nitro Cart, a local coffee company, began setting up its mobile operation on Eaton Street earlier this year. The business features nitrogen coffee, which involves a unique process of pressurizing coffee using nitrogen to create a richer, smoother, and creamier texture, making the coffee less bitter and acidic.
Good Fibes is a macramé fiber art based business started by Katie Teixeira.
According to Teixeira’s website, katieteixeiraphoto.com, she is a self-taught photographer and fiber artist. Her online shopping profile on Etsy, GoodFibesShop, features her macramé fiber products, which include wall art, purses, keychains, and more.
Universe Letters is a small Rhode Island-based jewelry business opened by Angie Salvatore. Her goal, as stated on her website, is to make jewelry that “isn’t just about looking good.” Her jewelry includes motivational messages that she hopes help inspire those wearing her jewelry and make them feel good. Her mission, as stated on shopuniverseletters.com, is “to create mindful, meaningful, beautiful jewelry… that inspires and offers messages of hope, light and love.”
House of Phillipa is a vendor frequently found at flea markets in the Massachusetts area that features vintage items, such as clothing, shoes, and jewelry. The table at the Flea For All included many of these vintage items, such as high-waisted jean skirts, vintage cowboy boots, and more.
Colonel’s Collectibles was another unique addition to the Flea For All, as owner Johnny Maguire featured different vintage comic books, prints, and trading cards for different sports.
Frey Florist is a small flower shop located right outside PC on Radcliffe Avenue. The business, according to its website, freyflorist.com, is “dedicated to providing fresh long-lasting flowers stylishly and tastefully arranged and delivered at a reasonable price.” The business not only sold fresh flowers and other plants for students to put in their dorm rooms, but also provided a voucher for a free plant with every purchase.
Overall, Traverse believed the event was a success, even with the quick change of venue. The event, which was originally supposed to be held outside, was moved inside Slavin due to the weather. “I thought it was very intimate and had a bit of a cozy feel to it,” commented Traverse.
Traverse was very optimistic about the results of this Flea For All and is currently hoping to have another one in the spring semester that will feature even more vendors.