Hasbro Could Leave Rhode Island For This Massachusetts City

Mr. Potato Head, Furby and the Transformers might soon pack their bags and leave Rhode Island for greener pastures in Massachusetts. A decision is expected soon about whether Hasbro will relocate to Boston's waterfront.

Hasbro has been at the location on Newport Avenue in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, since the company's founding in 1923. The Providence Journal reported Hasbro's headquarters has been "showing its age."

A second Hasbro facility in nearby Providence never reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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My wife and I lived in Pawtucket, a short distance from the Hasbro plant, when we were first married. It was cool knowing those fabulous toys were being created so close by.

My father-in-law lives nearby and has still not gotten over the loss of McCoy Stadium. I'm not sure how he would handle losing Hasbro.

Rhode Island Governor Don McKee is attempting to keep Hasbro from bolting Rhode Island for Massachusetts, but it doesn't sound promising.

McKee recently told Providence television station WJAR-TV 10, "I think that we've provided them a proposal that is very difficult to walk away from. If they do, then we're going to wish them the best, and we're going to continue to bring in more companies to the state that are actually growing."

Hmmm. Did that sound like a dig?

The Providence Journal reported several sites in Rhode Island, including at least one in Providence and another in Pawtucket, have not been ruled out as a future home for Hasbro's headquarters.

Company officials are expected to have more to say about Hasbro's future sometime during the first quarter of this year.