🌱 Patch AM: East Greenwich Chick-Fil-A Opening Looming

Good morning East Greenwich! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• New East Greenwich Chick-Fil-A brings jobs and opening-day freebies.
• How will school construction and redistricting reshape East Greenwich classrooms?
• Why East Greenwich police dropped a high-profile DUI charge

Also on today's calendar: Awaken 2026: Mind, Body, Spirit Reset and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: A bit of afternoon rain, with a high of 47 and low of 38 degrees.
• Saturday: Rain and drizzle in the p.m., temps: high: 45, low: 36.
• Sunday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., with a high of 42 and low of 28 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. East Greenwich Chick-Fil-A Opening Looming (patch.com) — East Greenwich residents will soon have a new dining option as Chick-Fil-A opens on Division Street on Jan. 15, bringing about 110 jobs to town. The restaurant will offer multiple service options, including dine-in and drive-thru, and is inviting customers to wear cow print on opening day for a free entrée.
   

2. School Construction: Land Clearing at Hanaford; Redistricting Session Planned (eastgreenwichnews.com) — Major construction is underway at Hanaford, Frenchtown, and East Greenwich High School, bringing new traffic patterns, fenced-off play areas, and visible site work that families will notice immediately. The district is also launching redistricting forums this winter as it prepares to shift to two 1–5 schools and convert Meadowbrook Farms to a pre-K and kindergarten building by 2027.
   

3. DUI Charge Dropped Against Cranston Woman (eastgreenwichnews.com) — East Greenwich police have dropped a DUI charge against Cranston political figure Maria Bucci, though she still faces a 30-day license suspension and six months with an ignition interlock for refusing a breath test. The case drew attention after arrest footage went viral, and it also created confusion and harassment for East Greenwich’s prevention coordinator, who shares the same name but had no involvement.
   

4. Buzz on Business: Seven Stars Cafe Workers Authorize Strike (eastgreenwichnews.com) — Workers at Seven Stars Cafe, including the Cliff Street location in East Greenwich, have voted to authorize a strike as they push for higher wages in a new contract. Their previous agreement expired Dec. 31, and union leaders say negotiations with ownership have stalled over proposed pay rates and reliance on tips, though more bargaining sessions are planned.
   

📸 Around East Greenwich

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🗓 Upcoming Events in East Greenwich

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday January 9

• The Smithereens
  The Greenwich Odeum, 59 Main St, East Greenwich
  8:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday January 10

• Awaken 2026: Mind, Body, Spirit Reset
  NURTURE Holistic Wellness , upper level , 5 Franklin Rd , East Greenwich
  4:00 pm

Sunday January 11

• Speed Dating Ages 35-49 in East Greenwich, RI at Crafted Hope Brewing
  Crafted Hope Brewing Company , 1485 S County Trl Suite #201 , East Greenwich
  3:00 pm
• Direct From Sweden - The Music of ABBA
  The Greenwich Odeum , 59 Main St , East Greenwich
  7:00 pm

Monday January 12

• Town Council
  East Greenwich, RI Calendar , 125 Main Street , East Greenwich
  7:00 pm

Wednesday January 14

• Special Education Advisory Committee
  Archie R. Cole Middle School , 100 Cedar Ave , East Greenwich
  6:30 pm

Thursday January 15

• PROBATE COURT
  East Greenwich, RI Calendar , 125 Main Street , East Greenwich
  9:30 am

Wednesday January 21

• Municipal Court
  East Greenwich, RI Calendar East Greenwich, RI 02818
  9:30 am

📣 East Greenwich Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday January 9

• Greenhouse Impressionism (Session Begins)
  Botanical Center , 1000 Elmwood Ave , Providence
  10:00 am
• Betsey Williams Cottage Free Open Houses
  Betsey Williams Cottage , 1000 Elmwood Avenue , Providence
  10:00 am
• Robin Norton
  Hope Alzheimer's Center , 25 Brayton Ave , Cranston
  1:30 pm
• BOLOGNA Date Night- THE LEARNED ONE, THE FAT ONE, THE RED ONE
  CHEF WALTERS COOKING SCHOOL , 162 Mayfield Ave , Cranston
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making East Greenwich PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• A Black Cat jumped my fence INTO my yard.
  Hung out a bit. Then he left. Don't know if someone is missing their cat. (Nextdoor Bay Ridge)
• For the love of pete!!!!!
  Is there anywhere that cremates cats for $200 or less in this state of despair???? Everything's a moneymaking racket, I am SICK of it!!!!! (Nextdoor East Greenwich)

• Rhode Island Staffing posted a job opening for Crew Member in East Greenwich. Apply here.
• Cumberland Farms posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate in East Greenwich. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near East Greenwich here.

Ok East Greenwich! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I really dig you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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