Architect

Yes, that's the issue. You win everyone's approval if and when you convince them we're better of together than apart.

I really wish there were the political will and political climate for greater Little Rock to consider creating a consolidated City-County government, whereas Little Rock would officially become a city of 400,000 people (in a metro of 750,000). The city would rank #48, in the U.S., between Arlington and Tulsa. This combined city-county consolidated entity would be the exact same setup as Nashville, Louisville, Lexington and others. The world is only getting smaller people...we're not in competition with North Little Rock and Sherwood.

I was in Des Moines last weekend, and for better or for worse, we ate at their Cheesecake Factory. While I think it's easy to cite certain metrics (like population and income), there are a lot of factors that go into decisions like this. For example, Des Moines proper is exactly the size of Little Rock, but its metro is SMALLER by 100,000 people (±650,000 vs. 750,000). That being said, its growth is accelerating this decade, and there are a LOT of corporate headquarters (financial/insurance) in the market and a very vibrant downtown (for example, a 40 story mixed-use high-rise is planned downtown that includes a Hotel 21c). In Iowa, a state very similar to Arkansas, Des Moines is sort of like a combination of Little Rock and NWA. A specific factor to the Cheesecake Factory: Des Moines did about 15 years ago what Little Rock did not..and that is either by design or by chance, the city developed ONE MAJOR retail center, whereas Little Rock developed four (4) medium size developments that all competed with one another (with higher-end retailers splitting on locations), and now in the past three years, have added the large Outlets of Little Rock (at I-30 and I-430). If the Cheesecake Factory (or some other similar franchise) were considering Little Rock, even today, they would have no clear cut choice on where to locate. NWA I think has a clearer choice with the Promenade in Rogers, but the total population is on the lower end. p.s. Des Moines also has a Trader Joe's...though I'll admit I don't understand the fascination with having one.

Wow. Finally, that benchmark may have been crossed! It's been years in the making, ha! I'll be anxious to peruse the updated July 2018 Metroplan report...always interesting about growth and demographics. Thanks for the heads-up! p.s. This indicates that NLR is still slightly ahead in terms of population versus Conway, something often discussed (i.e. "when" would Conway pass NLR).

Like ecity said, there may be multiple reasons for them not targeting Central Arkansas, but size isn’t one of them. If they’re saying that, it’s just to give someone an answer. They’re in a lot of smaller markets than Little Rock. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Incorrect. The Twin Peaks at Markham and Shackelford has been there for years, and occupied the former Cozymel’s restaurant site. The prior Macaroni Grill facility is still empty as far as I know (it closed within this past year). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting. I thought when I read the article about it closing, the paper said it was their first venture outside Texas. But you’re right, Google shows quite a few! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hmmm...pretty interesting development given the fact that Ruth's Chris often likes to locate in downtown areas close to business travelers, and this was their initial intent a year or two ago with the prior Cromwell building across the street from the Robinson Center. I trust it will do well at the Promenade - it's certainly a very nice building - but they will be going head-to-head with Arthur's, which is not an inconsequential competitor. p.s. I was in Dallas this past weekend and drove through one (of many) new huge, high-end mixed use developments - Legacy West (J.C. Penny HQ), at the SW intersection of the Dallas North Tollway and Sam Rayburn Pkwy - and noticed their very similar Del Friscos outlet, but this one branded a "Double Eagle Steakhouse" - of course, Del Friscos is a Dallas-based restaurant, with their (now) ill-fated Little Rock venture being the first out-of-state.

Anyone know what the load factors are on the LIT-PHX flight? I see people post that periodically (on other forums)...always wondered where they got their source data. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As I understand it, Southwest lists LIT-PHX service as "seasonal" so any gap in service is likely related to that. Also, I don't see MEM-LIT as a zero-sum game. We're not talking about a huge (or even significant) population center BETWEEN Little Rock and Memphis that each metro is competing for...obviously those in eastern Arkansas will more often opt for MEM since it's just as close (or closer) with more connection options, but those are not huge numbers. It's doubtful that has much, if anything to do with which market gets direct PHX or LAS flights. Each market either supports service to a destination, or it does not. Surely there's little in play between the two these days (now that SWA serves both markets).

And as an aside, SWA notes that the LIT-PHX service is "seasonal" so any gap in service is probably retailed to that, not a cancellation outright.

As of when? I understand SWA just released their newest schedules, and there are no changes in service planned for LIT (in fact, I didn’t think they publicized or projected service that far out...which would be more than six months). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LIT is up about 2% through May of 2018 (810,000 passengers)...just starting to regain footing after several years of market pressure from the sunset of the Wright Amendment (DAL) and conversion of MEM to a competing O&D airport.

True. I wasn’t questioning the comparison, but rather noting how no one ever thinks about Columbus. It’s sort of hiding out between Cincinnati and Cleveland. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Columbus is one of the most underrated metros...you just never hear about it, but it’s the second largest MSA in Ohio at more than 2 million! Both OKC and Memphis, notably smaller, have major professional teams, etc. and of course Memphis has so much brand equity and mindshare culturally, etc. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk