Benny’s revives old RI song in new ad

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Benny’s has revived a decades-old song in a new advertising campaign: The Biggest Little Store in the Biggest Little State.

It all came together during the state’s botched tourism rollout. Benny’s executives were considering alternatives to "Cooler and Warmer,” when they remembered the 1980’s song written as a morale booster for Rhode Islanders.

"This story had already been told and we just brought it back," explained co-owner Arnold Bromberg. "We decided to make it part of a Benny’s commercial but it ends up being more of a love song to the state."

The commercial showcases only local talent, in the aftermath of a hotly debated logo created by a New York designer and a tourism video that included a shot of Iceland.

"They just beat [the campaign] to death,” said Maureen Morrissey of Pawtucket. “Everybody is tired of it now. It’s old. All [the state does] is spend money that we don’t have. So we’ll watch Benny’s."

While the commercial is certainly nostalgic for many, it’s also striking a chord with younger Rhode Islanders too.

But others prefer to be in with the old and out with the new.

The Commerce Corporation sent a statement, saying: "We’re excited that hundreds of individuals and organizations like Benny’s are stepping up and highlighting what’s best about Rhode Island. As previously mentioned, over the next phase of the campaign, we will be utilizing some of the user submitted content to promote and market the Ocean State."

The governor could not be reached for comment.

To view an ABC News story from when the original song first came out, click here.

To view the new Benny’s ads, click here and here.

© WLNE-TV 2016