Notable openings, closings, moves and events in some of your favorite neighborhoods.
COMING SOON
It’s a name you may not recognize, but it’ll certainly catch your eye in the near future. B. Finley Vinson Plaza, located at Markham and Spring streets in front of the DoubleTree Hotel, is now in the midst of a multi-phase renovation that will feature green space, public seating and an area for live entertainment, all with the aim to “create an engaging, communal space for hosting visitors and residents.”
In the River Market, the Central Arkansas Library System’s Main Library is nearing the end of its extensive renovations and aims to open later this year.
Farther east, the Clinton Foundation recently purchased the neighboring Heifer International campus with plans to expand its Clinton School of Public Service and Clinton Presidential Library operations. Heifer will still hold offices on two floors of the 94,000-square-foot building. This comes after initial plans to house Lyon College’s dental and veterinary schools fell through.
A new venue is in the works across the river that will be a sister property to the E.O. Manees House. The Sanctuary at Argenta will house a traditional event space as well as a chapel and even plans for a restaurant. Construction is underway to upgrade and restore some of the elements from the church building with plans to open this summer.
NLR is also hard at work on its new 31,000-square-foot conference center in Argenta set to open in 2026, along with plans for an adjacent boutique hotel.
BUSINESS SHUFFLE
Restaurants aren’t the only ones packing their bags. The vintage shop Dog Eat Dog Co. moved from the East Village to SoMa, now in the former escape room space. Meanwhile, Dogtowne Dry Goods recently closed its doors for good in Argenta, as did Sixth House Wellness Studio, and the iconic Revolution Music Room (aka The Rev Room) announced it will not renew the lease on its River Market location, but plans to stay in business in a different capacity.
Photos by Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Central Arkansas Library System, Angelo Felix.
FOOD & DRINK
It’s been a roller coaster of restaurant news in the area over recent months. Last summer saw the opening of a second location for The Croissanterie inside the Tech Park, the return of North Bar on JFK and the debuts of Southern Tail Brewing in the East Village, GiGi’s Lounge in SoMa and Platnum BBQ in the Ottenheimer Market Hall.
But by early 2025, the neighborhoods lost three heavy-hitters: Mugs Cafe in Argenta, Mockingbird Bar and Taco in SoMa and EJ’s Eats and Drinks downtown. And in a bittersweet turn, SoMa favorite The Bagel Shop closed its doors at the end of last month, but the team will stay put as they pivot to bring their popular dinner series Rex’s into a full-time venture in the same location.
Meanwhile, the Texas-style Back Home BBQ opened last month at the corner of West Markham and South State streets. More upcoming eateries include The Pizza Pub coming to the former Old Mill Pizza space in Park Hill and Birdie’s Cabaret Theater & Lounge in Argenta.
There’s also a bright future in store for Dempsey Bakery as new owners plan to franchise the gluten-free and allergy-friendly bakery across the country while keeping the recipes just how locals like them.
EXPLORE
Public art lovers will be happy to see fresh paint in the neighborhood. The corner of Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive and Main Street in SoMa is now home to a colorful postcard mural by Maddie McClintock of MaddHouse Style. At Laman Library, Garden Fest attendees helped create a colorful community mural inspiring a love of literature, while the Downtown Little Rock Partnership announced plans to expand the Food Hall of Fame Mural in the Main Street Pocket Park.
Just down the river in Emerald Park, a new project is in the works for outdoor adventurers. The Arkansas Climbers Coalition is working with the City of North Little Rock to develop rock climbing routes at Big Rock Quarry. The urban climbing project calls for more than 70 routes with unbeatable views of downtown Little Rock and the Arkansas River.
Photos by Karen E. Segrave, Sierra Wheeler, Sydney Bryant, Maddalynn Davis, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism, MaddHouse Style.
SUNNY DAYS, HOT NIGHTS
Fall gets all the credit for festival season, and while it may be true, there’s all kinds of alfresco fun to get into this spring and summer.
501Fest makes the move this month from SoMa to the River Market with plans for more vendors, kids’ activities and entertainment than ever, including adding a second day to the lineup.
Argenta Plaza stays busy in the warmer months with lots of event organizers taking advantage of the space. The most popular recurring activities include the free Argenta Vibe Music Series, weekly Dogtown Yoga classes and street-closing Dogtown Throwdown festivities.
The river continues to be a beacon for live music, drawing outdoor performers to the First Security Amphitheater (including Alison Krauss and Union Station this month) as well as the cult-favorite Jazz in the Park series on Wednesday nights in April and September.
Keeping things fresh, three area markets serve up local produce, art and more: Bernice Garden Farmers Market on Sundays year-round, Dunbar Garden Market on Wednesdays through fall and Little Rock Farmers Market on Saturdays through August. Shoppers can also find their fill at the recurring East Village Art Market, Pocket Park Pop-Up and Market at Pettaway.
Photos by Argenta Downtown Council, Shontel Stott, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism, Abigail Fowler.
Click here to see some of the local businesses that make these neighborhoods so special.