CONTACT: Elizabeth Eckel, SVP Marketing, 401-348-1309
DATE: May 10, 2005
Washington Trust Provides Financing for Nicola's Uptown Cafe
Westerly, Rhode Island... The Washington Trust Company announced it has provided two SBA loans to Peter Bellone, owner of Nicola's Uptown Café in Westerly. The loans were for working capital, improvements to the building and equipment. Bellone made major renovations to the interior of the building, located at 2 Tower Street in Westerly, before opening Nicola's for business in March 2005.In addition to running Nicola's, Bellone is also involved with Maria's Seaside Cafe in Misquamicut, owned by his family. Nicola's specializes in Mediterranean cuisine with an American influence. Served in an upscale, "smart-casual" environment, some of the enticing choices include: Chicken Paillard, an oriental marinated breast topped with sautéed onions, jalapeno peppers and shitake mushrooms; Warm Spinach Salad with smoked bacon, pears, shitake mushrooms, blue cheese and black current champagne vinaigrette; and Lobster Ravioli made fresh with smoked tomato lobster truffle broth and fresh basil, drizzled with basil oil. There's an extensive choice of dishes for both lunch and dinner, including a pub menu available all day.
"Washington Trust was pleased to assist Mr. Bellone with renovating
the building Nicola's occupies," said John C. Warren, Chairman
and CEO of The Washington Trust Company. "He and his family
have been in the restaurant business in Westerly for many years
and we're glad to have the opportunity to work with him on his new
restaurant here in town."
Seen (left to right) are Barbara K. Hart, VP, Commercial
Lending, Washington Trust, and Kimberly Brophy and Peter Bellone
of Nicola's Uptown Cafe.
The Washington Trust Company is the largest independent bank headquartered
in Rhode Island. A state-chartered bank, Washington Trust offers
a full range of financial services, including trust and investment
management, through its 16 branch offices located in Rhode Island
and southeastern Connecticut. Founded in 1800, the Bank is a subsidiary
of Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc., whose common stock trades on
The NASDAQ Stock Market® under the symbol WASH. Web site address:
www.washtrust.com.
