Providence Arcade to reopen soon

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A downtown Providence landmark shuttered since 2008 could soon be back in business.

Developers say several retail shops and restaurants could move into the renovated Providence Arcade by the end of September. 

Construction crews have been hard at work renovating the country's oldest indoor mall into a so-called "micro-retail" and "micro-loft" space.

• Photos: Redevelopment of Arcade building

The first floor will include 14 small retail shops and four restaurants.  Those spaces should be move-in ready by the end of next month.  There was no word Monday on which retailers were planning on moving in.

The second and third floors will contain 48 "micro-lofts," most of which will be between 225 and 270 square feet and include built-in furniture.  Developers say there is already a lot of interest in the "micro-lofts."

"We have a waiting list that's twice as large as the number of units we have to rent," says Evan Granoff, manager of 130 Westminster Associates.

Leases for the "micro-lofts" will begin February 1st.