North Little Rock Development

[Smith]

Just talked with one of the elders of the Baptist church on JFK, they sold Dogtown Cafe building to Dunkin Donuts.  It will be a Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins...

 

I was wondering what happened to that place.  It seemed to have a good number of people whenever I was there.  The hours kept changing. I know we tried to go a couple of times and they were closed. 

[Smith]

I would be a happy man if somehow NLR could score a Chiplotle or Chuy's.  We need something new...

 

I do think it's a little odd that Chipotle is not in a lot more central Arkansas locations yet.  Everywhere I have been that had Chipotles, there have been tons of them.  Give them time.  I'm sure there will be a NLR and Conway location in the next few years.

Side note...On the Border opens Sept. 30.

[Frankie7]

In other news, there is a new sign up on the Old Saturn Dealership.  Says a new "national sit down restaurant is coming soon."  I heard a rumor it is going to be a Chuy's.  

 

Fingers crossed.

[Smith]

The two storefronts between Books-A-Million and Southern Baby in Lakewood Village have been opened up and gutted.  The facade is completely gone.  No signage was up so not sure what is going in there.

[hogman]

Hi guys and gals... I work in the NLR area. I met one of the managers of the Lakewood Village Shopping Center. He told me the former USA Drug Store will become a Dress Barn and Ulta Beauty. Also the former Taste of India restaurant will become a Mexican Restaurant. I was also told there are plans for hotel near the center.

[Frankie7]

Well my wife will be pleased to hear about an Ulta.  As for Taste of India, I am very surprised a mexican restaurant would come considering Santo Coyote, On the Border, and now a rumored Chuy's are all in town.  We need something other than mexican!

 

Also, where would a new Hotel go?

 

Question:  What is going in to the newly built buildings by Chik fi let?

[hogman]

That's what I've been trying to figure out. I've spoken to a few people working on it and they tell me they don't know either. They claim it's just a shell.like I believe that. Someone did mention a possible Starbucks location on one side of it.

The new hotel will be behind Corky's and U.S. Bank.

I agree 1000% on the Mexican restaurant.

There is something being built behind the new Mapco on Smokey Lane. Still nothing on it yet either.

I will keep you posted as soon as I get more info.

Edited November 7, 2013 by hogman

[Frankie7]

 

 

I'm trying to imagine a hotel going there.  Is there room?  That would be cool...

Edited November 8, 2013 by Frankie7

[hogman]

Looking at Google Maps, the piece of land seems to be large enough. That would be a great place to stay for the people from out of town. They would be in the center of the busiest part of NLR.

[hogman]

Okay everyone. One side of the new retail plaza at the corner of McCain and Springhill will be The Vitamin Shoppe. First to open in Arkansas and it will be on December 7th. There will be a second location opening in Fort Smith on December 21st. Below is their website.

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com

[Frankie7]

A Vitamin Shoppe?  I can get vitamins at Kroger.  Disappointing.  Hopefully the other side of the new retail plaza features something more interesting.

[hogman]

Well, this is going to be more like GNC. But, I do agree that we need something better going into the other half of that development.

[hogman]

A third location for L.A. Fitness in Central Arkansas has been identified. It will be located at the former Lakewood Movie Theater in Lakewood Village. They are really moving fast here. I wonder how long it will before they put one in Northwest Arkansas, Conway and/or Jonesboro?

[Frankie7]

That's cool.  Maybe that will drive down the prices at the NLR Athletic Club.  But if an LA Fitness is going in that location, then I'm not sure where you could put a Hotel.

[hogman]

There is a fenced lot to the east of the movie theater and north of Corky's and U.S.Bank. Kind of a tight spot.

The NLRAC might have to lower the rates.

[Smith]

A third location for L.A. Fitness in Central Arkansas has been identified. It will be located at the former Lakewood Movie Theater in Lakewood Village. They are really moving fast here. I wonder how long it will before they put one in Northwest Arkansas, Conway and/or Jonesboro?

 

The movie theater has been bulldozed and the area has construction fencing around it with a LA Fitness sign up.

[hogman]

The other half of the new building on McCain and Springhill is a Mattress Firm next to the Vitamin Shop. I saw them putting up the sign yesterday afternoon. Also, a Mexican grill is opening next to Shoe Carnival (the former Taste of India place). Ulta and Dressbarn in Lakewood (in the old USA Drug) are almost complete.

[skirby]

Chuy's has received a permit for 5105 Warden Road, NLR. This is the location of the former Saturn dealer and not to far from the new On The Border.

[Architect]

Chuy's has received a permit for 5105 Warden Road, NLR. This is the location of the former Saturn dealer and not to far from the new On The Border.

 

Wow, interesting.  I didn't realize that they were planning multiple locations in central Arkansas, but I'm not surprised given their success in west Little Rock.

[Smith]

Wow, interesting.  I didn't realize that they were planning multiple locations in central Arkansas, but I'm not surprised given their success in west Little Rock.

 

Stephen's Inc. took on about 1 million shares of Chuy's Holdings Inc which is a 6.6 stake in the company.  That may have something to do with it?

[burnz34]

So whats happening?

[hogman]

Taziki's is opening a location in McCain Mall.

[Smith]

Taziki's is opening a location in McCain Mall.

 

That will be nice. McCain is in desperate need of a legit food court. 

[ArkansasTraveler]

The McCain Mall Taziki's will be upstairs, near the movie theater. This doesn't mean that another restaurant couldn't set up shop where Sbarro was. Or in the old Pearle Vision space, for that matter.

[skirby]

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse will be building at McCain Mall on an out parcel next to McCain Blvd.