Federal Hill? What's that? Some members of the Federal Hill Commerce Association think tourists who don't live in Rhode Island might be puzzled at signs pointing to the Hill — and an outsider wouldn't know it's the Italian neighborhood. Therefore, at a meeting this week they explored the idea of re-branding it — as a more enticing name people might recognize: Little Italy.

That was one of several topics discussed at an emergency meeting Tuesday, called at the Roma restaurant on Atwells Avenue. Another was recent crime: Hotel Dolce Villa, owned by Association member Gianfranco Marrocco, was held up on Monday. But just as big a concern was the slowing of business on the Hill — even though elsewhere in Providence is seeing success.

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Source: http://wpri.com/