FACES OF RHODE ISLAND
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY MAGAZINE
DECEMBER ISSUE, 2024
“Renee Esordi, originally from Eastern North Carolina, resides in Rhode Island, where lobster rolls have replaced barbecue sandwiches. As a graphic designer and photographer, she provides creative services across various sectors, including health care, education, and pet-related businesses. A North Carolina State University graduate, Renee has continued her education in photography and design through various art institutions across the country.
In 2000, inspired by her Chocolate Labrador Retriever, Zoey, Renee founded Chocolate Peanut. Initially a platform for scheduling pet portraits, the website expanded into an online boutique for her handmade dog apparel. She crafted the popular “My Favorite Sweater,” which has been a signature product for over a decade.
Her collections have expanded to include hoodies, cozy pullovers, and scarves for dogs. Betty, her beloved French bulldog of 13 years, is a primary presence and first to model apparel on the website. In 2022, she adopted Lola, a chihuahua, and welcomed Bradley, a French bulldog, in 2024. Chocolate Peanut participates in local markets and adoption events. She also volunteers her photography services helping adoptable dogs find their forever homes.”
THE PROVIDENCE FLEA
HOLIDAY/WINTER/SPRING MARKETS
FARM FRESH RI, 10 SIMS AVENUE | PROVIDENCE, RI
Chocolate Peanut has been a vendor at the Providence Flea’s fall, holiday, winter, and spring markets since 2019. The cooler months are the perfect time to find a cozy sweater, pullover, or hoodie for your pup, and it’s also a great opportunity for me to meet new customers, chat with returning customers, and connect with fellow vendors in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The event coordinator is so helpful, and I’m grateful for the support and online presence showcasing their vendors in various media. During the summer, the Flea’s outdoor markets are held near the Pedestrian Bridge at 195 District Park in downtown Providence with the Providence skyline as a backdrop.
The indoor Flea is held on Sundays from 11am until 3pm at Farm Fresh market hall located at 10 Sims Street in Providence, where you’ll also find their year-round farmers’ market on Saturdays.
THE PROVIDENCE FLEA
SUMMER MARKETS
195 DISTRICT PARK | PROVIDENCE, RI
In 2023, I participated in the Providence Flea’s summer market held outdoors along the Providence River on South Water Street with gorgeous views of the skyline and Pedestrian Bridge. In 2024, the summer Flea re-located to 195 District Park, just across the river. The addition of summer markets offers a great opportunity to sell lightweight hoodies, pullovers, as well as other accessories and gifts. The warm sunny days and pet-friendly venue promises a great crowd, new and returning customers, and plenty of dog kisses.
The outdoor Flea is held on Sundays from 10am until 3pm. During the summer, you’ll enjoy the backdrop of the beautiful Providence skyline, outdoor activities, gigantic bubbles floating overhead, and the occasional gondola passing by.
ADOPTION EVENTS & OTHER MARKETS
VARIOUS LOCATIONS YEAR-ROUND
RHODE ISLAND
Chocolate Peanut participates in adoption events, fundraisers, and several artisans markets throughout the year. These events are a great place to find exclusive apparel and product launches not yet available on the website, seasonal and/or limited edition apparel, and also imperfect items (seconds) at a reduced price.
I also work with Animal Talk at multi-rescue adoption events photographing adoptable dogs in a studio setting capturing their unique personalities, giving them the extra exposure on various social media accounts in hopes of finding their forever home. These events are coordinated by Karen Kalunian of Animal Talk and hosted by Dogtopia Warwick, a daycare and spa for dogs.
VINTAGE PET RESCUE’S ANNUAL “A SPECIAL DAY FOR SPECIAL DOGS”
MID-OCTOBER
CHASE FARM, 667 GREAT ROAD | LINCOLN, RI
I’m honored to participate in Vintage Pet Rescue’s Special Day for Special Dogs event on the scenic grounds of Chase Farm in Lincoln, Rhode Island in mid-October. Their first event in 2022 was a huge success, and their second and third annual event was just as popular, celebrating the special dogs we love. There’s several pet-friendly vendors and fun activities including a wheelchair race, three-legged race, costume contest, and more. Adoptable are available to warm your heart as they look for their fur-ever home.
Scroll below to read more about Vintage Pet Rescue.
STUDIO 10 | WJAR/NBC 10 PROVIDENCE, RI
CHOCOLATE PEANUT FEATURE
MAY 15, 2023
So thankful to be invited back to Studio10 to talk more about Chocolate Peanut with longtime favorite host Mario Hilario. Studio10 is a lifetime and entertainment show that airs 12:30pm on WJAR/NBC10 in Providence, RI. As their caption underneath the video clip says: “Pamper your pup in style with Chocolate Peanut’s original handmade apparel and accessories! From cozy knit sweaters to lightweight hoodies and pullovers, they’ve got everything your furry friend needs to look their best all year round.”
STUDIO 10 | WJAR/NBC 10 PROVIDENCE, RI
CHOCOLATE PEANUT FEATURE
DECEMBER 26, 2022
It was a pleasure to be invited to talk about Chocolate Peanut on Studio10, a lifetime and entertainment show that airs at 12:30pm on WJAR/NBC10 in Providence, RI. I’m passionate about this small business, and the rewards are seeing your dogs wearing products that I’ve designed and created. My customers from all over the country, and at local markets, keep this dream going strong.
VINTAGE PET RESCUE | FOSTER, RI
RETIREMENT & HOSPICE CARE FOR SENIOR & SPECIAL NEEDS DOGS
COMMUNITY GIVING
An organization close to my heart is Vintage Pet Rescue, a Rhode Island-based 501c3 nonprofit. They provide cage-free, sanctuary living for over 20 dogs at a time. Senior pets are showered with love, attention, and medical care for the last months or years of their lives. Kristen and Marc Peralta, met at an animal shelter in Los Angeles in 2013 and later moved to Rhode Island and started VPR. They are committed to rescuing vintage (senior) pets from shelters and owners who can no longer care for their own due to relocation into assisted-living or have passed. Senior residents also enjoy love and care in their final days, months, or years through foster and adoption programs. On occasion they step in to help younger dogs needing emergency care and find forever homes for them.
In 2020, eight sweaters were donated to their senior dogs. Many of their residents enjoy wearing them and look adorably comfy. On Giving Tuesday 2021, I held a fundraiser reaching the goal of $200 thanks to generous friends.
They have been so gracious to offer their pups to model several collections, the tie-dyed hoodie being a favorite.
I’m also so grateful to them for rescuing my little chihuahua Lola from a traumatic accident, providing the resources for surgical care and rehabilitation. I adopted her in January 2022. She is definitely a miracle.
BRITISH VOGUE FEATURE
A FLAVOUR OF VOGUE, THE HOT LIST, VOGUE’S SUMMER LINE-UP!
JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2020 ISSUES
It was an honor to be asked to be featured in the June, July, and August issues of British Vogue. When asked how we were found, the reply was that she loved the the brand, the aesthetic, and decided to get in touch. We were in “A Flavour of Vogue” in the June issue, “The Hot List” in the July issue, and “Vogue’s Summer Line-up” in the August issue. Each issue featured our signature sweater, the “My Favorite Sweater” with matching candycane scarves and the Happy Camper reversible cotton scarves.
The caption reads:
Inspired by the classic rollneck sweater and a timeless favorite, your dog will look smart and comfy in our “My Favorite Sweater” with several colors and yarns to choose from. Accessories for dogs include knitted scarves and bandanas in beautiful cotton prints. Shop the collections at CHOCOLATEPEANUT.COM and follow on Instagram @thechocolatepeanut.