Newport Creamery Chain Is Being Sold

Newport Creamery Chain Is Being Sold

The storied Newport Creamery chain is being purchased by a southern New England businessman who is investing heavily in Rhode Island.

Presently, the Newport Creamery company is operated by the Jan Companies, which purchased the company in December 2001 and has owned and operated it since.  There are currently 8 locations remaining (6 in Rhode Island and 2 in Massachusetts).

Two high-profile locations closed recently — Garden City and Barrington.

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Now, the chain is being bought by Massachusetts businessman Mark Bogosian — the President of Longfellow Design Build — a firm that “has become prolific in the Massachusetts home design/construction space with 100+ employees and countless projects completed.”

"I am thrilled for the opportunity. My team and I are looking forward to expanding Newport Creamery. We are excited to be a part of such an iconic brand," Bogosian told GoLocal.

 

Newport Creamery’s History

Founded in 1928 by Samuel Rector in Newport, Newport Creamery began as a dairy distributor before opening its first "Milk Bar" in 1940 in Middletown. Famous for its Awful Awful milkshake introduced in 1948, the chain expanded throughout New England before facing bankruptcy in 2001.

The company once grew to 33 locations. In the late 1990s, the Rector family sold the chain to Florida businessman Robert Swain for $7.6 million. 

He later raided the company of its funds — he and his wife took hundreds of thousands of dollars from the company to support their other business interests and to support their lifestyle.

The company was forced into bankruptcy in 2001.

Despite its recent history, the Newport Creamery remains one of the most beloved local brands in Southern New England.

 

Other Activities in Rhode Island and Beyond

Bogosian also purchased the Harbor Lights golf course and marina facility in Warwick. 

That facility is a successful event and wedding venue.

For Bogosian, this is just one of his business activities. He is also the President of Flying Bridge Marina in Falmouth, which also has facilities in Florida.

The deal is scheduled to close on Monday.

This story was first published 3/28/26 at 11:30 AM