NORTH SMITHFIELD – If you’ve traveled along Route 146 in recent weeks you have most likely seen it: a massive sign that wraps around the structure known as “the milk can” advertising the building for lease.
Under the name Kid 22 Holding, the building at 920 Eddie Dowling Highway is owned by the D’Andrea family. The family also owns the adjacent business known as Lakeside Swimming Pools – and that’s where the phone will ring when potential lessors call with ideas and proposals.
Originally located in Lincoln, a mile south of its current location, the structure was built in the 1931 and originally operated as an ice cream stand. In 1947, the business was purchased by Joseph Mariani, who expanded the menu to include food like burgers and fried clams.
It closed in 1968 and was slated for demolition years later when the Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced plans to construct Route 99.
Instead, a member of the D’Andrea family purchased the structure in 1987 and moved it to its current location, a highly visible 2.5 acre lot on the busy highway. The family had initially hoped to open a new business, once again serving up fast food from the unique Milk Can windows. But the area has no municipal water lines, limiting opportunities, and after running into hurdles, the project was ultimately abandoned.
The building has sat vacant since, and at first glance – or perhaps even second and third – may also appear to have been abandoned to passersby. Graffiti-covered, with original wood showing paint that has long peeled away, the exterior gives the structure a general look of blight.
According to a source that asked to remain off record, however, that appearance is deceiving. The interior of the building has been renovated in recent years and is said to be in excellent condition. The back portion is regularly sprayed to cover up unsightly markings left by various trespassers, only to inevitably reappear.
In 2018, a member of the D’Andrea family publicly discussed the possibility of opening a gas station, a drive-through restaurant and office space on the lot and even submitted initial plans for the project, but that vision also failed to materialize.
The public’s curiosity about the 32-foot-tall can-shaped building, however, has never waned. And with everyone from TV newscasters to bloggers looking to publish information on the Milk Can’s future following years of projects that never came to fruition, it seems the family has stopped discussing plans with the media.
Sources note, however, that the owners do have plans they are not yet ready to reveal. As the giant sign advertises, they’re accepting more ideas from those who might want to lease the space.
For now, those with memories of the once popular roadside stand and others will have to wait to hear more about the property’s future.
Those with potential ideas who may want to lease the building are instructed to call (401) 766-5040.
The post For lease? Owners accept proposals for the Milk Can in North Smithfield first appeared on NRI NOW.
