Bubbie’s Deli and Market has been a staple and important part of the East Side PVD community since 2021. David’s Dairy, which had been open for a century, caught fire and the owners decided not to reopen. This left a need for a kosher market in the community, which Jeffrey Ingber and Freda Ronkin realized. Freda had been running Ahava Catering since 2017 and was a former intern of Jeff’s. They teamed up and named the gourmet kosher market and deli in honor of Freda’s mother. “My mother is a native of Providence who helps all the time and does a lot of baking stuff and gives a hand with whatever we need,” Ronkin says. Bubbie’s quickly grew in popularity, offering deli sandwiches, bagels, and market items. Ingber and Ronkin worked well together. Ingber ran Bubbie’s while Ronkin ran Ahava. Ronkin would prepare the food and bring it to Bubbie’s. “We had an idea of what we were doing,” Ronkin said. “We intertwined the businesses. If Bubbie’s needed help, we would go there. I was in charge of catering menus. We listened to customers for groceries at the store. What I made at catering, we featured at Bubbie’s.”
Ronkin notes that the Orthodox community has been moving out of PVD in the past two years. This left less of a need for the grocery community, which led to the decision to close Bubbie’s doors in March 2025. On the flipside, Ahava, which showcased its catering menu at Bubbie’s, saw its business skyrocket. They decided it was best to switch focus to the catering side. Though the demand for a kosher market on the East Side had diminished, there was still a need. Ronkin understands this and offers certain kosher groceries that can be ordered on their website. “We’re helping the community as much as possible,” Ronkin says. “There’s no place where you can get raw chicken and meat and deli, so you can order online. We offer pick-up or delivery.”
Ahava offers catering throughout New England for all types of events. They have a separate meat kitchen and a separate dairy kitchen and they ensure the two never mix. They cater Shiva, weddings, Bat Mitzvahs, or if people need a kosher meal due to their location. They have delivered to major hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, attorney offices, doctor’s offices, and many corporations in need of a kosher meal. “We are the only kosher caterer in RI,” Ronkin says. “If anybody needs kosher food, we’re the one they’re going to. It could be as simple as needing a meal for a non-kosher event, or for the whole event.” Rankin states that her weeks are a little different since the focus was shifted to Ahava – slower at the beginning, but really busy at the end. The community is extremely important to her, and she looks forward to continuing to provide for their needs through Ahava while maintaining the spirit of Bubbies. •
For more info, call 401-272-4835 or visit ahavacatering.com
