Notable openings, closings, moves and events in some of your favorite neighborhoods.
FOOD & DRINK
As always, the restaurant scene is ever-evolving in this area of town. The pizza joint Problem Child is set to open in the former Count Porkula space on Keightley Drive early this month, while Loblolly Creamery prepares to officially open its latest scoop shop in Hillcrest’s former Damgoode Pies spot this spring. In January, a second location of The Buttered Biscuit opened in The Heights at 5016 Kavanaugh Blvd.
There are also a handful of restaurants reportedly in the works, but with scarce details: Jake’s Hot Chicken in the former Sushi Cafe space, Mucho Loco in the former Copper Mule location, a new restaurant from the team behind George’s and another new eatery (with new owners) for the old Cañon Grill location.
Speaking of owners, Mark Abernathy, creator and long-time owner of Red Door and Loca Luna in Riverdale, sold both establishments to Remolinos Group, which operates Fidel & Co. and Sterling Market.
And Hillcrest lost a bit of its caffeine fix as Neverwhere: Coffee, Comics & Oddities closed the doors of both its Kavanaugh and Breckenridge locations last month.
Bonus: Brave New Restaurant, the city’s only true restaurant on the river, now serves brunch every third Saturday of the month.
EXPLORE
Sure, you can always head west to take on the peaks of Pinnacle Mountain, but don’t forget the adventures in these neighborhoods, especially with spring on our doorstep. Allsopp Park’s covered trails offer both beginner-friendly treks and elevated climbs that, no matter how secluded you feel, are never too far from a Kavanaugh snack break.
For the stroller pushers, the paved Knoop Park Trail is another nearby getaway with unbeatable views of downtown, while the Arkansas River Trail offers miles and miles of even pathways popular with cyclists, runners and families for its playgrounds, space and crown jewel: the Big Dam Bridge.
SHOPPING
Last summer, a familiar space got new life on the banks of the Arkansas River. Shop Simple Designs has transformed the former Cajun’s Wharf into a chic furniture showroom that hosts monthly shopping events and professional design services.
In other retail news, Pavilion in the Park is still completing some remodeling projects after the March 2023 tornado, but that didn’t stop it from welcoming Unveiled Bridal Collection into a new, expanded space, while a second location for Tanarah Luxe Floral is reportedly also in the works.
Kavanaugh said goodbye to a longtime favorite last year as the clothing boutique Beige closed its doors in The Heights, but the space didn’t stay empty for long. It’s now home to the jewelry and gift shop HJane Jewels. Farther down Kavanaugh, The Full Moon has found a new owner in Stuart Davis and is undergoing updates after more than 40 years. Also nearby are the recently opened AlchemyXXII on H Street and the much-talked about Heretic.
GOOD HABITS
This corner of the city is known for its neighborhood festivals like Chili Fights in The Heights and HarvestFest. Our advice? Don’t skip the more frequent fun. There’s the First Thursday Shop & Sip in Hillcrest and Third Thursdays in The Heights every month that center around local businesses, later hours and live entertainment. Plus, the Hillcrest Farmers Market keeps things fresh every Saturday morning at Pulaski Heights Baptist Church.
Click here to see some of the local businesses that make The Heights, Hillcrest, Midtown & Riverdale so special.