This city on the northern border of Rhode Island has transformed itself from a Blackstone River blue-collar industrial center to an eclectic destination for dining, music, and local culture. But everywhere are traces of the past: new businesses and attractions stand next to others that have served the community for generations. You can even hear it. Owing to a large influx of French-Canadians seeking textile mill jobs in the early 20th century, the city proudly retains traces of that French-accented heritage, as visitors will catch snatches of the language still being spoken in stores and on the street.

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