When it comes to communications and entertainment services, Providence-area consumers want theirs to be fast, reliable and easy to use. And in offering those services, Verizon is speaking consumers' languages. Literally.

Verizon on Tuesday officially opened its first tri-lingual FiOS retail store, where employees are ready to serve customers in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The store is located at 579 Atwells Ave.

Mayor Angel Tavaras and members of the Providence City Council, along with New England Patriots legend Joe Andruzzi, joined leaders from Verizon at a grand-opening ceremony at the store.

As part of the ceremony, Verizon executives presented a $2,500 donation to Children's Friend, a Rhode Island nonprofit dedicated to helping underprivileged children.

Also at the event, Verizon announced that it is bringing FiOS voice, Internet and TV service to the 40 units of Eagle Square.

"I commend Verizon for its role as a terrific corporate citizen in our city," said Mayor Tavaras. "Time and again Verizon has demonstrated that it understands our community, and is making it easier for our residents and businesses to do business with them."

Susan Retta, vice president of marketing for Verizon, said: "Verizon has a long, proud history of citizenship in Providence, and the opening of our new FiOS store is another example of that. Providing excellent customer service is a priority for Verizon. Having employees in our store who speak Spanish and Portuguese will enhance the experience for our customers."

Employees at the new Verizon FiOS store will be able to help FiOS customers with questions about their FiOS Internet, TV and voice service, as well as demonstrate some of its exciting new features, including Home Monitoring and Control Service,* which enables customers to check on their home, or the kids and pets, from anywhere, anytime, right from their computer, smartphone or tablet.

Visitors to the new Verizon FiOS store also will be able to upgrade their set top boxes and pay their bills.