With eight college campuses rooted in Providence including the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University, the city’s arts-friendliness and independent spirit have only grown over time.

With a population of approximately 190,000, Providence is manageable and affordable for creatives and entrepreneurs compared to New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco. While RISD grads such as fashion designers Robert Geller, and Nicole Miller, artist Shepard Fairey and “The Talking Heads” David Byrne have sprung into wider fame, younger talents are building their businesses in Providence with innovative ideas and nonfabricated community mindedness.

The city’s indie spirit can also be seen in a bevy of vintage clothing stores, including longtime ones like Savers, Nostalgia Providence and

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