Spectrum India to Close After 59 Years on Thayer Street

The longtime Providence store will hold a clearance sale before shutting its doors for good at the end of May.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:50am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished objects representing the diverse inventory of the Spectrum India store, including a bundle of sage, a crystal geode, a brass incense holder, and a stack of colorful fabrics. The objects are arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background using sharp, dramatic studio lighting and deep shadows to convey a sense of bittersweet nostalgia about the store's impending closure.As the iconic Spectrum India store prepares to close its doors after 59 years, its eclectic inventory of metaphysical goods and cultural artifacts serves as a poignant symbol of the changing face of Providence's Thayer Street.Providence Today

Spectrum India, a Thayer Street staple selling a variety of goods from clothing to metaphysical gemstones, has announced it will be closing its doors after 59 years in business. The store is currently running a clearance sale with merchandise up to 59% off to honor its anniversary. Store manager Lisa Paquette cited challenges like the addition of parking meters on Thayer Street, the closure of the Washington Bridge, and the aftermath of a shooting incident as contributing factors to the store's declining business in recent years.

Why it matters

Spectrum India's closure marks the end of an era for Thayer Street, which has seen increasing business turnover in recent years as unique small businesses are replaced by fast food chains and major retail outlets. The store's owner, 92-year-old Jagdish Sachdev, and manager Lisa Paquette are considering opening a new location focused on metaphysical items, hoping to preserve the store's distinctive character and connection to the local community.

The details

Spectrum India first opened in 1967 and occupied two different locations on Thayer Street before moving to its current spot in 2005. The store has been running a clearance sale with merchandise up to 59% off in honor of its 59th anniversary, but will officially close at the end of May. Paquette cited several factors that contributed to the store's declining business in recent years, including the addition of parking meters on Thayer Street, the closure of the Washington Bridge, and a significant drop in sales following a shooting incident in December. The high Thayer Street rent also proved challenging for the store's management.

  • Spectrum India first opened in 1967.
  • The store moved to its current location on Thayer Street in 2005.
  • On March 14, 2026, the store announced it would be closing this spring.
  • Spectrum India was initially set to close on April 30, 2026.
  • On April 13, 2026, the store got approval from their landlord to stay open until the end of May.

The players

Spectrum India

A Thayer Street staple selling a variety of goods from clothing to metaphysical gemstones that has been in business for 59 years.

Lisa Paquette

The store manager of Spectrum India, who has been working at the store for 40 years.

Jagdish Sachdev

The 92-year-old owner of Spectrum India, who is considering opening a new location for the store focused on metaphysical items.

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What they’re saying

“We are still celebrating, even though we are closing.”

— Lisa Paquette, Store Manager

“There's no other store like it. I'll just miss coming in here and finding something special.”

— Kerri Connor, Rhode Island Resident

“Besides the fact that the store is my home away from home, I am sad that a piece of Providence's history is being lost.”

— Dhruv Parikh, Brown University Student

What’s next

Paquette and Sachdev are considering opening a new location for Spectrum India that would sell metaphysical items like incense, candles, crystals, and sage, reminiscent of the 'old Spectrum India.'

The takeaway

The closure of Spectrum India, a beloved Thayer Street institution for nearly six decades, highlights the challenges facing unique small businesses in Providence as the retail landscape continues to evolve. However, the store's owners are exploring ways to preserve the Spectrum India brand and its connection to the local community through a potential new location focused on metaphysical goods.