Meet the New Bosses
Two familiar faces take over a beloved bookstore in Providence ’ s Olneyville neighborhood . BY EDELINDA BAPTISTA
O ttavia De Luca and Lucas Mann have been visiting Riffraff since before the beloved bookstore-and-bar combo opened off Valley Street in 2017 . The couple helped former owners Tom Roberge and Emma Ramadan stock the shelves with books and spent countless afternoons wandering through the courtyard with their now five-year-old daughter during the pandemic .
Mann , a writer and English professor , and De Luca , who works in the wine industry , moved to Providence in 2013 . They met Roberge and Ramadan and quickly became friends during a double date at the Scurvy Dog a year or so before Riffraff ’ s official opening . Besides helping stock the shelves and contributing to bookish restroom wallpaper choices , the couple also held their baby shower in the space . “ We ’ ve always loved coming in here . It ’ s a good energy for something like a baby shower ,” says
De Luca . “ The bookstore side brings more of a calm energy , but you can still have a party in here because it ’ s very much a bar .”
When Riffraff went up for sale last year , friends nudged the couple to make a move , saying they were the ideal duo to take over the space .
“ I ’ ve been wanting to own a business for a long time , and having one that already exists that has all the things I love in it — books , wine and an amazing community — felt like the perfect fit , and we couldn ’ t pass up the opportunity ,” De Luca says .
They both order newly released books each season , while Mann plans events like author readings and theme parties . De Luca oversees the bar operations , creating and updating the cocktail menu and taking on other tasks alongside staff members .
The pair say they are heartened to see the outpouring of support they ’ ve received for the new venture , adding that Roberge and Riffraff manager Victoria Forsberg-Lary made the transition seamless .
They plan on adding more wine and food to the menu , as well as receptions , literary trivia , open mic nights and live music .
“ This is the place to come and do interesting things around people in your community ,” Mann says . 60 Valley St ., Suite 107A , Providence , 421-4371 , riffraffpvd . com
Frequent customers Ottavia De Luca , left , and Lucas Mann took over ownership of Riffraff last year .
PORTRAIT ( TOP LEFT ): REBECCA ATWOOD , ATOMIC CLOCK PHOTOGRAPHY .
40 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JANUARY 2024