Garry Williams and Frank Manfredi, Jr.: 20 Who Made a Difference in 2020

Garry Williams and Frank Manfredi, Jr.: 20 Who Made a Difference in 2020

2020 was supposed to be a big year for business partners Garry Williams and Frank Manfredi, Jr. 

The owners of The Strand and The Rosendale in Providence had in January has announced their purchase of The Whiskey Republic.

In March, they announced it would return to Fish Co., and were poised to kick off a big year with St. Patrick’s Day festivities. 

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Then the pandemic hit. 

Instead, they found themselves in the positions of industry advocates — and de facto, lobbyists, having to prove to the city and state the vital role that nightlife and live music has on the city’s economy.

They started an online fundraiser to “Save the Strand,” one of the many arts and music venues shuttered for months.

Then, they found themselves in the position of having to be government watchdogs, after the state of Rhode Island didn’t even follow its own protocol in inspecting facilities — and in the case of Fish Co, arbitrarily and erroneously shutting down the venue a week after paperwork was filed. 

While many business owners have had to advocate for their livelihoods, Williams and Manfredi, Jr. were two of the strongest voices fighting for the livelihoods of so many.

We can only hope 2021 is a better year.