I was just 6 years old when the Blizzard of '78 hit Rhode Island — old enough to know that it was a big storm, but too young to understand the true impact of it. At the time, I was living in a house on Hillside Avenue in Johnston, at the bottom of a hill near the Manton Avenue Bridge — which meant that all the snow blew down toward my house, burying the front door. Luckily, it was a two-story house, so we could climb out the upstairs window to get out — and get a view of the huge snowfall. Once the storm was over, we dug out from the door, leaving a snow tunnel to the driveway that — in my …

  Bristol has long been known for its boat-building — and as this YouTube video shows, the craft can include both modern and historic touches. Bristol Boat Company posted this video in December, 2011, of the first sail for the Herreshoff 20, a new boat built according to plans drafted in 1928 by Capt. Nathanael Herreshoff. [Find more videos at the Bristol Boat Company YouTube channel.] Share your memories of Bristol's boat trade in the comments below.

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Today, Lauren's Restaurant is a casual family restaurant that serves up American, Italian and Portuguese plates. Lauren's has been in business for just over two years, seemingly beating the "restaurant business curse" of 601 Metacom Avenue over the last 20 years. So think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have frequented in past decades. Post your memories in the comments section below.

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Ace Hardware, located in the Gooding Avenue plaza in Bristol, sells everything from lawnmowers to nuts, bolts, and house paint. This hardware store also makes duplicate keys, does propane refills and repairs for windows. But think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you or your parents may have frequented in past decades. Post your memories in the comments section below. 

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Metro Diner moved in to town exactly three years ago, on August 1, 2008. The Diner, located at 440 Child St., in Warren, is well known for their delicious breakfast dishes and their "Pancake Challenge" where customers are dared to eat three huge pancakes to get their five seconds of fame and their meal for free. But think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you or your parents may have frequented in past decades. Post your memories in the comments section below. 

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Jacky's Galaxie is an Asian restaurant and sushi bar conveniently located on the Metacom Avenue strip. Today, Jacky's offers a casual dining and bar atmosphere in addition to a banquet room for holidays and parties. But think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have frequented in past years. Post your memories in the comments section below.

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Today, Jaide Salon is located at 709 Metacom Ave., in Bristol, right on the corner of Tupelo Street. Founded in 2006, this salon takes walk-ins and appointments and caters to men, women and children and specializes in cuts and colors. But think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have frequented in past decades. Post your memories in the comments section below.

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Piezoni's Pizza, located on the corner of Metacom Avenue and Franklin Street in Warren, is a lunch and dinner dine-in, take out and delivery restaurant. Specializing in pizza and buffalo chicken wings, the Warren restaurant is one of the 14 in the Piezoni's chain throughout Rhode Island, Georgia and southern Massachusetts.  But Piezoni's wasn't the only business ever to be located at 489 Metacom Ave., so think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have …

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Only in New England will you find numerous Dunkin Donuts shops on a main strip. Today, the Dunkin Donuts near the Bristol/Warren town line is one of three Dunkin Donuts on Metacom Avenue. This location is also home to a smiling Mr. Potato Head statue. But Metacom Avenue was not always so densely populated with donut shops. Think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have frequented in past decades.  Post your memories in the comments section below.

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Today, Bristol Total Fitness, located on Metacom Avenue, offers an array of fitness equipment and classes ranging from Zumba to Spin. But Bristol Total Fitness just came to town in the early millennium, so think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location in past decades. Post your memories in the comments section below.

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Today, the A-frame building located on Metacom Avenue is not only an interesting architectural sight off of the main strip, but it is also home to an animal grooming business called  Animal House. Connected to the A-frame building is Legacy General Contracting Inc., an accounting and tax servicer, and a sign in a window for a Reiki business. But think further back to all those times you drove by the building and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have visited in past …

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? You can't miss that big blue building and colorful cow next to Warren Baptist Church while traveling down Main Street in Warren. Today, Imagine Gift Store, located on the corner of Miller and Main Streets, is home to a retro ice cream parlor and three floors full of interesting knick-knacks and novelties. But think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have frequented in past decades. Post your memories in the comments section below.

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Located on Child Street in Warren, across the street from Dudek Bowling Alley, is the Children's Workshop. Today, the Children's Workshop is a popular year-round child care facility for children ages 6 weeks to 13. But think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have frequented in past decades, maybe even as a kid yourself.  Post your memories in the comments section below.

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Today, the Toy Shop is a local business catered to children, families and tourists. Located on Hope Street in the heart of downtown Bristol, the Toy Shop offers everything from Bristol souvenirs to classic and current toys. But think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you or your parents may have frequented in past decades. Post your memories in the comments section below. 

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Today, Tuscan Tavern, located at 632 Metacom Ave., offers northern Italian cuisine, a banquet room for parties and an extensive wine list for the worldly beverage connoisseur. But think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have frequented in past decades. (Hint: Not all of the former businesses were restaurants) Post your memories in the comments section below.

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? If you are looking for good American Chinese food, look no further than Luke's Inn on Metacom Avenue in Warren. From flaming pu-pu platters to seemingly endless scorpion bowls, Luke's Inn has been a favorite must-stop restaurant for many Bristolians and Warrenites for many years. But think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have frequented in past decades. Post your memories in the comments section below.

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Job Lot, Radio Shack, Fantastic Sams... Ocean State Plaza is about the closest thing that Warren has to a Route 6 style big-box shopping center. But what did the plaza look like years ago? In the past few years we have seen Job Lot skip down a few doors and new additions such as the Family Dollar that opened up at the end of last year. But think further back and try to remember what other businesses inhabited this location that you may have frequented in past decades. Post your memories in the comments section …

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Today, the Bristol Town Hall is seated right in the middle of the Burnside Building and the Bristol Historical Society. At Town Hall, the town clerk and staff from other departments can help you with anything from getting the latest Town Council minutes to serving as a Notary Public. But what was 10 Court St. before it was the Bristol Town Hall? See if you can remember what other businesses inhabited this location in past decades (and don't cheat by looking up the records at Town Hall!) Post your memories in …

Businesses come and go in every state and town. But how far back can you remember? Today, Seabra is the only grocery store on the Hope Street strip. The large store sells everything from Captain Crunch cereal to Hot Pockets. Before Seabra was Hi-Lo Supermarkets. But think back to the "bread, milk and eggs" days to see if you can remember what other businesses inhabited the building over the last few decades. See how far back you can remember and post your memories in the comments section below.