112 replies to this topic

[theman]

Einstein Bros. Bagel is looking for a franchisee to open at least 5 stores in the Little Rock market.  They plan on opening two stores in northwest Arkansas later this year.

[Stormcrow]

theman, on Jul 6 2008, 11:54 PM, said:

Einstein Bros. Bagel is looking for a franchisee to open at least 5 stores in the Little Rock market. They plan on opening two stores in northwest Arkansas later this year.

Awesome!!!  They have an incredible variety of bagels and toppings!

[ArkansasTraveler]

If only one of the new Target locations in either Conway or Saline County had been a SuperTarget, we'd already have a soft introduction to the bagel brand.  Einstein Bros. products are commonly featured in the bakery sections of SuperTargets, but a stand-alone location would be nice to have as well.  One hopes that the demand is there, after moderate performance from smaller, independent bagel shops in this region over the last several years.

Side note:  I'm not that picky on which flavors they might have, but I'd be most appreciative of chocolate chip, sun-dried tomato, and pumpernickel, along with a really good onion bagel.

Also... Arkansas Times' Eat Arkansas blog notes that two new chains are bound for The Promenade at Chenal, with both due in August.  Yia Yia's Euro Bistro, which offers dishes taking cues throughout much of Mediterranean Europe, currently has only five locations — the nearest at The Shops at Saddle Creek in Germantown, outside Memphis.  Elsewhere in the Promenade, the folks behind McAlister's Deli will bring Newk's Express Café, a sort of fusion of McAlister's with California Pizza Kitchen, with an ample selection of homestyle layer cakes for good measure.

Both will be a few weeks behind the opening of Lemon, the creperie in Hillcrest in the Ice House Revival block, set to debut this Saturday.

[lrfoodie]

ALSO NEW TO LITTLE ROCK..

Just confirmed with a source at Trios...

Capi from Trio's and the Pleasant Ridge are ironing out the details for a Tapa's/Wine bar to move into the former Imagine Restaurant locations.
If you've ever been to a nice Tapas bar say in Austin, Texas or other large cities, done right the food can be a lot of fun and tasty.. definitely a creative addition to the Little Rock food scene.
The manager also promises a broad selection of inexpensive, but stimulating  wines along with  Very Premium Wines availabe by the glass, as an inert gas system will be integrated with the bar area...

I for one thinks this is a great idea, and for now it appears to be a done deal....

Can't wait

[Architect]

Market Place Grill is planning to open a location at Colonel Glenn/I-430 according to plumbing review records.

I like Market Place Grill quite a bit, and Little Rock doesn't have enough "general fare" American restaurants in my opinion.  But to be honest, I'm totally puzzled by this location.  Perhaps there weren't any out-parcels left, but it seems Shackelford Crossings would be a PERFECT location for them!  I'm very disappointed with what's ultimately happened at Colonel Glenn/I-430 - other than the Rave, its just an automobile dealership haven...so its puzzling what kind if synergy they hope to achieve.  Perhaps its merely the visibility along a major corridor that was the draw.

[EJC]

Architect, on Jul 16 2008, 05:48 AM, said:

Market Place Grill is planning to open a location at Colonel Glenn/I-430 according to plumbing review records.

I like Market Place Grill quite a bit, and Little Rock doesn't have enough "general fare" American restaurants in my opinion.  But to be honest, I'm totally puzzled by this location.  Perhaps there weren't any out-parcels left, but it seems Shackelford Crossings would be a PERFECT location for them!  I'm very disappointed with what's ultimately happened at Colonel Glenn/I-430 - other than the Rave, its just an automobile dealership haven...so its puzzling what kind if synergy they hope to achieve.  Perhaps its merely the visibility along a major corridor that was the draw.

If you're disappointed with what's happened thus far at Col Glenn/I430, then you should be happy this will locate there as it will help change the nature of the location...

[Architect]

EJC, on Jul 16 2008, 01:51 PM, said:

If you're disappointed with what's happened thus far at Col Glenn/I430, then you should be happy this will locate there as it will help change the nature of the location...

True.  Maybe more diversity of offerings will follow.

[LRU1967]

lrfoodie, on Jul 9 2008, 01:15 PM, said:

ALSO NEW TO LITTLE ROCK..

Just confirmed with a source at Trios...

Capi from Trio's and the Pleasant Ridge are ironing out the details for a Tapa's/Wine bar to move into the former Imagine Restaurant locations.
If you've ever been to a nice Tapas bar say in Austin, Texas or other large cities, done right the food can be a lot of fun and tasty.. definitely a creative addition to the Little Rock food scene.
The manager also promises a broad selection of inexpensive, but stimulating  wines along with  Very Premium Wines availabe by the glass, as an inert gas system will be integrated with the bar area...

I for one thinks this is a great idea, and for now it appears to be a done deal....

I hear this deal has fallen through, the rent is just too high. Imagine was paying $8,000 per month. Another restaurant in Pleasant Ridge is apparently doing well. Is Bonefish a franchise or company owned?

[Hyacinth]

Signage is up for Cantina Laredo.

[comreguy]

LRU1967, on Jul 17 2008, 09:29 PM, said:

I hear this deal has fallen through, the rent is just too high. Imagine was paying $8,000 per month. Another restaurant in Pleasant Ridge is apparently doing well. Is Bonefish a franchise or company owned?

All Bonefish's are corporate

[Aporkalypse]

lrfoodie, on Jul 9 2008, 01:15 PM, said:

ALSO NEW TO LITTLE ROCK..

Just confirmed with a source at Trios...

Capi from Trio's and the Pleasant Ridge are ironing out the details for a Tapa's/Wine bar to move into the former Imagine Restaurant locations.
If you've ever been to a nice Tapas bar say in Austin, Texas or other large cities, done right the food can be a lot of fun and tasty.. definitely a creative addition to the Little Rock food scene.
The manager also promises a broad selection of inexpensive, but stimulating  wines along with  Very Premium Wines availabe by the glass, as an inert gas system will be integrated with the bar area...

I for one thinks this is a great idea, and for now it appears to be a done deal....

Can't wait

There is a tapas bar/restaurant in Hot Springs, anyone been there?

[LRU1967]

LRU1967, on Jul 17 2008, 09:29 PM, said:

I hear this deal has fallen through, the rent is just too high. Imagine was paying $8,000 per month. Another restaurant in Pleasant Ridge is apparently doing well. Is Bonefish a franchise or company owned?

The latest is that the deal is back on with Trios participating. The rent will be much less than $8,000. Schickel Development bought all the furniture and fixtures at Imagine's sale and is including them in the rent of the wine/tapas bar.

[ArkansasTraveler]

Good to hear about the wine/tapas bar back on track.  Though I will admit, I will continue to miss Imagine's blue cornbread.

[ArkansasTraveler]

Update on Marketplace Grill in the latest Arkansas Business.  Construction is about to begin in earnest this month, with an opening targeted for early next year.  In addition, this location will be a prototype, incorporating a drive-up window from its Marketplace Express locations for pick-up customers.

[Architect]

ArkansasTraveler, on Aug 3 2008, 07:24 PM, said:

Update on Marketplace Grill in the latest Arkansas Business.  Construction is about to begin in earnest this month, with an opening targeted for early next year.  In addition, this location will be a prototype, incorporating a drive-up window from its Marketplace Express locations for pick-up customers.

I wonder what the five other sites were that Marketplace Grill was considering?  I still personally find this selection mildly perplexing.  Regardless, I really like the restaurant and look forward to it opening.

By the way, we went to Copeland's today and I thought it was FABULOUS!  Great food all the way around.  Compared to other Copeland's locations, I found some parts of the interior decor superior (like the fascinating fountain in the entry vestibule), yet others - like the main dining area - peculiarly sparse.  All-in-all a great restaurant however!

[ArkansasTraveler]

Just heard from a co-worker...

The restaurant/bar area at the Best Western Governors Suites, near Pleasant Valley, will soon open as an Italian restaurant.  It seems that it's been over a year since the last time an active restaurant was there.

[Aporkalypse]

ArkansasTraveler, on Aug 21 2008, 11:54 AM, said:

Just heard from a co-worker...

The restaurant/bar area at the Best Western Governors Suites, near Pleasant Valley, will soon open as an Italian restaurant.  It seems that it's been over a year since the last time an active restaurant was there.

Man, I never realized there was a restaurant there.

[Architect]

Aporkalypse, on Aug 21 2008, 05:59 PM, said:

Man, I never realized there was a restaurant there.

Me either.  It was always a strange place for a hotel so far off the main thoroughfares.

Does anyone remember that when the adjacent shopping center was developed (Market Street), that it was envisioned as an enclosed mall?  There used to be a Benetton and other national retailers that were located there - this was the mid-late 80's.

[adman0468]

Architect, on Aug 21 2008, 08:02 PM, said:

Me either.  It was always a strange place for a hotel so far off the main thoroughfares.

Does anyone remember that when the adjacent shopping center was developed (Market Street), that it was envisioned as an enclosed mall?  There used to be a Benetton and other national retailers that were located there - this was the mid-late 80's.

I remember that, although I didn't think it was ever supposed to be an enclosed mall. I do remember Loehman's was there (the center was actually called Loehman's Plaza) and some various clothing stores. Terrible location.

Speaking of Benetton's, remember how many locations they tried and failed in? I remember that one, Pavilion in the Park, McCain, maybe the Main Street Mall and Lakewood Village. Am I missing one? No one ever seemed to grasp that sweaters year-round would not sell here.

[Architect]

adman0468, on Aug 21 2008, 09:51 PM, said:

I remember that, although I didn't think it was ever supposed to be an enclosed mall. I do remember Loehman's was there (the center was actually called Loehman's Plaza) and some various clothing stores. Terrible location.

Speaking of Benetton's, remember how many locations they tried and failed in? I remember that one, Pavilion in the Park, McCain, maybe the Main Street Mall and Lakewood Village. Am I missing one? No one ever seemed to grasp that sweaters year-round would not sell here.

Ha!  Forgot about Main Street Mall (not sure about Lakewood...I was thinking its a newer development than Benettons.  Bet you weren't aware of this one?

El Dorado...on the square.