You would think that each story coming out of here would sound the same, but the remarkable thing is — that never happens.”

Lisa Raiola

Hope & Main
691 Main Street
Warren, RII 02885
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If anyone is familiar with the television show “Gilmore Girls,” they know the scene transitions often take place with a random singer strumming his guitar, serenading the town with a mellow tune through the quaint streets of Stars Hollow. The Makers Market at Hope & Main in Warren feels somewhat like being transported to one of those moments.

Hope & Main’s home is an old schoolhouse on Main Street in Warren. The building has been transformed into a unique business venture, housing multiple kitchens for people looking to break into Rhode Island’s food industry. The Summer Series Makers Market gives these entrepreneurs a chance to sell their products directly to visitors. And those who stop by will discover more than just goods for sale — they’ll find a bit of serendipity, too. 

Every Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m., as pedestrians cross Main Street via the crosswalk, the sound of music guides them toward the Makers Market taking place on the lawn of Hope & Main. On its debut night, June 18, musician Mel performed from a cozy stage nestled between two large trees adorned with hanging lights. Her guitar strumming and melodic voice welcomed visitors with familiar lyrics — Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” (Oh, thunder only happens when it's rainin’ / Players only love you when they're playin) and Hozier’s “Too Sweet” (I think I'll take my whiskey neat / My coffee black and my bed at three / You're too sweet for me).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Warren has a total area of 8.6 square miles, and it is the second smallest town in the state of Rhode Island — the smallest state in the country. This is a possible reason why it seemed like everyone attending the market on its debut night knew each other — another reminder of that quaint small town feeling like that of Stars Hollow. Or perhaps it’s the fact that the innovative business model of Hope & Main brings people together through a shared love of locally curated food.

Everyone has a story

“You would think that each story coming out of here would sound the same, but the remarkable thing is — that never happens,” shared Lisa Raiola, the president and founder of Hope & Main. She shared this as she stood in front of Jaffal Chocolates, a business that came out of one of Hope and Main’s kitchens.

Gassan Jaffal, the business owner, has his own unique story, and he took some time to share how he got started while a line of visitors formed at his table wanting to taste test his handmade chocolate.

Because he is in the business of chocolate he needed a special kitchen set up with many pieces of equipment not found in the kitchens at the Hope & Main building. Hope & Main was able to sublet a space in another building for Gassan to set up some specialized equipment to make his chocolate, including a roaster, melanger, a tempering machine, and more.

“It’s more about passion than smarts,” Gassan said, humbly, as a visitor tasted his chocolate walnut spread for the first time off a little wooden tasting stick. Yet, his extensive knowledge of chocolate made it seem like “smarts” has a lot to do with the success of his business.

He explained that in order to continue making and selling chocolate during the summertime he switches to making spreads, as the heat at the outdoor market would melt the bars he makes in the colder months.

His knowledge of chocolate extends to the language of it as well. He dispelled the myth that there is a difference in what the terms cacao and cocoa mean, explaining that they are actually interchangeable in terms of meaning. The only real difference is that cacao is a derivative of Spanish origins while cocoa is of English origins.

While learning about chocolate from Gassan seemed like it could be an endless (and intriguing) lesson, the fun had to stop short, as the line to try his chocolate spreads was beginning to wrap around one of the trees that set the stage for the mellow tune playing from the musician.

An abundance of other Hope & Main businesses were in attendance at the debut of the Makers Market, and there will be different vendors to explore each Wednesday through Aug. 27. This quaint little market offers a reason to stop at every table — to hear each vendor’s unique story, set to the tune of a strumming guitar, in a place where everyone seems to know each other (or at least wants to).