One of the things I have always enjoyed when traveling is visiting cities where you can immerse yourself in the culture, walking from your hotel to shops, museums, parks and restaurants. Whether it’s Barcelona or Boston, I love the experience and always missed that when we returned home. Yet for the last 2 1/2 years, it’s as if I’ve been on vacation. Prior to that it was a rare occasion that my husband Clark and I would leave The Heights to come downtown for dinner or an event. But when we sold our home in 2010 there was only one place to consider — Downtown.
After touring River Market Tower, we leased a condo for one year. Sure, we told ourselves, we can do anything for a year. Neither of us had an inkling we would ever be permanent residents of Downtown. It took less than a month for me to be entrenched in my new neighborhood and just a bit longer for Clark to say that the view was amazing and he’d like to buy a shell and build it out to meet our specifications. I’m certain some of our friends thought we had lost our minds. Downtown? Is it safe? Does anyone really live there? You’ll be in your car all the time to get to everything! What about your dogs?
Yes, it’s safe; we’ve found it to be uber-safe. Just in our area, the LRPD is completing installation of 20-plus security cameras, increased its manpower, and the city installed additional lighting. The diversity in our neighborhood is a welcomed sight. We walk to dinner and shops and stop by the Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays. We occasionally walk to The Root Café for Sunday brunch. We look for Dennis the shoeshine guy, visit with John the parking meter guy and observe progress on various construction sites.
I got to know two wonderful women on my street well enough to visit and drop by for coffee. My last count of the unofficial Girls Night Out email list for our building was 45, ranging in ages from 24 to 84. We are a diverse group, but are all here because something called us Downtown. We meet for bunko, celebrations or just to visit, have guest speakers or take part in drives for local charities and work on volunteer projects. Just last month 10 of us gathered to number 1,500 golf balls for a charity tournament. We borrow cooking ingredients, swap travel information and have progressive dinners. There is always someone willing to do something with or for you.
In fact, we formed a Downtown Walkers group in December 2011 because several of us wanted to train for the Little Rock Half Marathon. We head out most mornings to walk 4-5 miles. We may walk southward to the Bernice Garden and Boulevard Bread in SoMa, or turn north and cross one of the four river bridges downtown to The Joint for coffee in Argenta. We loop down to the State Capitol on occasion, and daily we make our way through the Clinton Center grounds and Heifer International, walk through the Bill Clark Wetlands to count ducklings, then swing through Boulevard’s River Market location (yes, we love coffee stops).
We experience concerts, festivals, charity walks, runs, bike rides, pet parades and fireworks. There is always something going on at the Clinton Presidential Center and River Market Pavilions. The Main Library, Historic Arkansas Museum and Old State House Museum are just steps away. We have most of what we need nearby, and the farthest we drive most days is three miles for dog food.
Our friends flew in from Austin to see Rodney Atkins and Darius Rucker during Riverfest. It was their second visit since we moved into our new penthouse last fall; they marveled at Downtown’s expansion since that time.
We went all-in this spring when Clark moved his law offices Downtown. He can now declare he walks to work, albeit across the street. Our oldest son Taylor has lived in two different loft buildings Downtown. We think we spotted him the other evening heading out for a bike ride. He loves Downtown too, but that’s his story.
Janell and Clark’s Downtown Top 10
1. ZIN Urban Wine & Beer Bar (300 River Market Ave.). You’ll find an extensive wine and beer list and great tapas. Wednesday is the weekly wine tasting. Also open Sundays.
2. Dugan’s Pub & Stratton’s Market (401 E. Third St.). In addition to traditional pub fare, you’ll find healthy salads and big burgers. But I bet you didn’t know Dugan’s serves a great filet. Stratton’s small grocery and deli is next door. Their motto is “If you need it and we don’t have it, we’ll order it.”
3. Design Inspirations & Pro Cleaners (300 River Market Ave.). This go-to shop has a friendly, helpful staff that can dress you from head to toe, accessorize your home, help you select the perfect gift and then wrap it. Pro Cleaners delivers.
4. Lassis Inn (518 E. 27th St.). We were thrilled when Garden & Gun ranked Lassis in its “Top 50 Best Southern Dives, Honky-Tonks, Juke Joints, Cocktail Lounges, Speakeasies, Draft Houses, and More” in 2012. The catfish and buffalo ribs are amazing, as is Al Green, Barry White and Gladys Knight on the jukebox. Sign says “No Dancing,” but our waitress once said we could “groove.” You’ll be tempted, but don’t try it. They run a tight ship.
5. Copper Grill (corner of Third and Cumberland Streets). Restaurateur Mary Beth Ringgold knows the perfect combination of fabulous cuisine and libations. Don’t miss the grilled salmon salad niçoise and patio dining on a beautiful evening.
6. Andina Café and Coffee Roastery (corner of Third St. and River Market Ave.). We were so excited when Nita Westbrook moved Andina 50 steps away from us. Clark loves their breakfast croissant.
7. Capital Bar & Grill / Ashley’s (111 W. Markham St.). Just a four-block stroll and you’re deep in the heart of exquisite Southern cuisine. We always begin with the pimento cheese, and how about that veranda! Try a Seersucker on a hot summer afternoon — but just one.
8. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken (300 President Clinton Ave.). No longer must we drive to Memphis for the healing powers of this hot and spicy fried chicken!
9. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas (1009 Wolfe St.). A downtown nonprofit so dear to our hearts that Clark and I both serve on the board. This is a home away from home that serves families of children being treated at area hospitals. RMHCLittleRock.org.
10. Sculpture at the River Market. Nearly 75 pieces of public sculpture appear in this ever-expanding collection for all to enjoy, valued at $2.5 million. Proceeds from its annual three-day festival funds additional works. SculptureAtTheRiverMarket.com.
Downtown – Janell and Clark Mason
A view to the north inside Janell and Clark Mason’s River Market Tower condo in downtown Little Rock.