The past few months have been jam-packed with flavorful news for the Little Rock metro, and there’s a good chance you missed a few updates. While we won’t go into every detail here, we have created a quick rundown of some of the highlights you may have missed. Buckle up, friends.
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Openings:
As of this week, The Croissanterie has officially taken over the cafe space inside the Tech Park with a second location. They’re currently serving a limited menu of coffee and pastries, but have plans to expand offerings in the coming weeks.
Say McIntosh Family Restaurant, now home to the famous Say McIntosh sweet potato pie, is now open at 6223 Colonel Glenn Road.
Arkansas-based Blue Ember Smokehouse opened its newest barbecue joint at the corner of Rahling Road and Chenal Parkway.
Maximo Cocina Mexicana is now open at 11100 W. Markham St.
GiGi’s Lounge, the latest endeavor for the space at 1304 S. Main St., opened in late June.
The much-anticipated KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot has opened its new location at 4317 Warden Road in North Little Rock.
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Coming Soon:
Southern Tail Brewing, a new tap room where Fido is welcome to join, is inching toward opening in East Village at 900 E. Ninth St. It’s slated to open before the end of the year, but we get the feeling a date is not too far away.
Ceci’s Chicken N Waffles is setting up shop in a new location at Fair Park Blvd. And for sweet tooth fans, she’s also been teaming up with Kristi Williams of Brown Sugar’s Original Recipes (formerly Brown Sugar Bake Shop) to dish out more local treats.
North Bar on JFK is getting close to reopening after a devastating fire in 2023. Until then, keep an eye out for their mobile kitchen.
Likewise, the Cantrell location of The Purple Cow, which was in the path of the March 2023 tornado, is set to reopen next month.
Mr Brews Taphouse is set to bring its first Arkansas location to Park Plaza. No word yet on an opening date.
317 Coffee is coming to the former P.F. Chang’s location on Shackleford, though we still don’t have many details other than signage.
And just today, Community Bakery announced a new location — its third in the city — will open in the former Mickey’s Cakes & Sweets space on Rodney Parham later this year.
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Closings:
In The Heights, Copper Mule Table and Tap on Kavanaugh has closed its doors, though its Bryant location remains open.
Nearby, Leis Creek Farm to Fork, the fresh meat market sourced from Leis Creek Cattle Co., is also now closed.
Jess’s Chicken has closed its doors at 10907 N. Rodney Parham Road, but it’s not a total loss for foodies. The incoming Cate’s Pharmacy will include a lineup of ice cream, doughnuts and coffee.
42 Bar and Table at the Clinton Presidential Center has temporarily suspended its dinner service to accommodate for event demands, though lunch and brunch are still going strong.
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In the Works:
Breckenridge Village continues to be one of the most-watched developments in the metro. Eat My Catfish, Mt. Fuji, Neverwhere Coffee, Comics & Oddities and Waldo’s Chicken and Beer are all now open. Construction is still underway for new locations of The Root Cafe, Deluca’s Pizza (planning to open next month) and Flyway Brewing (aiming to open before 2025). Meanwhile, the complex recently announced Film Alley will move into the former Regal UA Breckenridge Theater, complete with full bar menu and dine-in movie auditoriums. More on that here.
Ottenheimer Market Hall has big dreams for a full revamp, though plans are still in the works as its 30th anniversary approaches. More on that here. Meanwhile, David’s Burgers is leaving its space on the east end of the hall with Platnum BBQ moving in.
The Sept. 22 Main Street Food Truck Festival is rebranding to the Downtown Food Truck Festival and will move locations to Capitol Avenue between Woodlane and Chester streets. More on that here.
A section of The Heights is getting a makeover with Hathaway Group relocating its new headquarters to the intersection of Kavanaugh Boulevard and Club Road. The renovation covers two structures and will include the previously announced location of The Buttered Biscuit as well as new looks for Heights Corner Market and a relocation for Heights Fine Wines & Spirits. (Out west, the Promenade location of The Buttered Biscuit is now open.)
And finally, the saga for the iconic Lassis Inn continues with legal disputes over the sale of the restaurant. No word yet on whether it will actually reopen.