William Hurley: 10 Who Made a Difference in RI in 2024

William Hurley: 10 Who Made a Difference in RI in 2024

One of the bright spots in East Providence in 2024 was the work of small businessman William “Bill” Hurley.

In April, he announced he was opening “McShortagee’s Market.” It opened in May on Willett Avenue, where Schroder's Deli used to be. 

And yes, the “g” is hard. 

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“It’s a short Irish-Portuguese person, which is what I am,” William Hurley told GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle, who was first with the story. “There’s a lot of us in Riverside.”

It was a bright light in a year when the community was devastated by the closure of the Washington Bridge.

For Hurley, who grew up in the area and calls himself “Joe Riverside,” the market and deli combination is the fruition of a long-time dream, and it truly took a village. 

“People said you’re not even a cook — you’re going into the restaurant deli business? Yeah, well, Frank Lloyd Wright didn’t know how to mix cement,” said Hurley, who has a background in telecommunications. "My plan is putting the right people in the right place.”

 

From Vision to Reality

“Growing up in Riverside — and I love Riverside — I’d always looked at this plaza and thought of this as 'Arnold’s' on Happy Days. I always thought it would be cool to have a car hop there…as a kid, I thought, 'What better place to work than Arnolds.' I always thought I’d be a teenager for the rest of my life,” said Hurley. 

“With Schroder’s closing, it really left a vacuum,” said Hurley. “Originally, I was looking across the street, where there’s a gas station that’s been abandoned for about 5 years.”

But Hurley said his idea for a deli and fish market at that location fell through. 

“So my father said go across the street to where Schroder’s was and talk to Paolino,” said Hurley, of landlord Paolino Properties. 

For Hurley, he thought the old Schroder’s property — which was actually three separate suites, including a commercial kitchen — was too big. 

“They told me I could take two out of the three [suites]; I said OK, I’ll hold off on the kitchen — for now,” said Hurley. "So we came up with a plan, and on January 8 I grabbed the spot.”

So for Hurley, along with his father, that started with replacing the entire floor — and assembling his team. 

“My plan has always been putting the right people in the right place. You get someone who’s a great baker, I’m not saying they can’t run a business, but their focus has to be on making the cakes,” said Hurley. “My plan was, I’ll get a deli guy who knows how to cut the meat, and that’s what he’s going to do. A bunch of women in this area, they’re all retired, they say I’m looking for some work, but I’m not crossing the bridge.” 

“My job here is to wash the floors and wash the windows,” said Hurley. “I am the lowest rung on the ladder.”

Hurley said the market will have a throwback ‘70s vibe — “right down to ‘70s AM radio — and Riverside will be a central theme. 

And for Hurley, featuring all things Riverside is paramount at McShortagee’s Market. 

“When I say everyone who used to work at Schroder’s reached out to me, they’ve all said here’s this recipe, here’s that recipe, I’ve gotten so many things from people,” said Hurley. “The original owners have come in twice. And they’ll say to me they’re so happy to see it opening back up, because they themselves were so bummed to see it go.”

And in true throwback fashion, Hurley said was able to get the original candy case — dating back to the 1920s — from the old Gilbert Stuart Theatre, which his father has refurbished and will house Riverside memorabilia on a rotating basis in the market. 

But fast forward to 2024 and beyond, and Riverside — and East Providence — find themselves in the lurch with the failure of the Washington Bridge, and Hurley said “he has a lot of friends in the restaurant business who are hurting.”