[Midtowne Little Rock]

That's why Dick's going in Park Avenue made sense because it could serve a different part of town. But I'll bet Lewis and Clark was glad they aren't going to be there.

I went in Lewis & Clark last Saturday evening. This store appears to be in serious distress. Poorly merchandised and there's nothing to it. Looks like the owners are pulling the plug on it, even if they don't realize it yet.

Any word there?

[Shackleford Crossings]

Looking forward to trying Copeland's. I noticed that the Edwin Watts golf store is now open. EWG is a great retail golf shop. They offer club repair, fitting and a simulator too.

They are definitely a "category killer" for the golf business and will make a great addition to the LR market.

[Little Rock Growth]

I-40 is a nightmare during rush hour from Little Rock to Conway; it defintately should have been widened to 6 lanes. Nonetheless, I can't see how people, especially newcomers, will be able to justify that commute with $5 gas on the horizon with talks of $7 by year end. Even if Conway doesn't decline, I think the days of rapid growth fueled by Little Rock commuters will be coming to an end very soon.

This may be the biggest driver/stabilizer of growth in LR for the next few years. Many commuters are going to rethink the cost and sacrifices associated with living 25-35+ miles away from their job. Maybe they'll change jobs, go to 4 day work weeks or telecommute, but clearly this is going to be a big factor.

If the leadership of LR can convince people from the suburbs that LR is safe and has adequate school choices, just watch the influx of people moving back.

[Restaurant Development in Little Rock Metro area]

Thanks for the info.

On the restaurant itself, I have never been a big fan. I think it is kind of overrated. People in Conway love the place but I think that is mostly because until recently they haven't had much to choose from.

Anybody remember Kirby's in WLR? It was a NWA success, but it's lack of a bar/beer or wine didn't translate well in LR.

I think Marketplace has good (enough) food, but sometimes it's nice to have a glass of wine or cocktail with dinner. Anybody know if they plan on serving alcohol?

[Park Plaza Mall]

The entire Pappas chain series is there (Pappadeaux, Pappacito's, Pappas Bros Steakhouse, some BBQ venture of theirs, Pappa's Pizza, etc).

I've never been in one of their BBQ or pizza efforts, but the first three you mention are KILLER. Would love to see one or all of them in the LR area. Maybe if the Shoppes at North Hills ever gets built...

[Park Plaza Mall]

No, that's Walnut Hill and North Central. Across the freeway is North Dallas/Preston Hollow and east is Lake Highlands, a pretty nice area. It's just NE of the Park Cities. There are some apartments in that area (Vickery Meadow) that are pretty rough but that's a common theme with large apt complexes in Dallas. That D&B is across from Presbyterian, a classy upscale hospital used by the Highland Park crowd. I went in that D&B several times and always liked it, I never had issues with it except that it was packed.

The "original" D&B's in Dallas is located in an office park about a block east of "Restaurant Row" at Stemmons (I-35E) and Walnut Hill. When it was originally developed, this was a hot spot for restaurants and entertainment. Old San Franciso Steak House, Trail Dust Steak House, Paul's Porterhouse, Chili's and others. There are a few restaurants left, but more topless clubs and buy-here/pay-here car lots now.

I knew the location had suffered, but I didn't expect the interior of the facility to be so run down too. Makes me think they aren't going to be there much longer.

Aporkalypse, I've been to the D&B off Central near Presbyterian and the newer one in the big Frisco mall too. We lived in Dallas for about 10 years, a long time ago and it's one of our favorite places to visit with our teenage kids. Still have a little family and lots of friends there.

[Park Plaza Mall]

Speaking of Dave and Buster's, my son and I went to Dallas last month when the Razorbacks played Baylor at the American Airlines Center. The game didn't start till 7:00, so we were looking to kill a little time on Sat afternoon. We stopped in at the original D&B's off Walnut Hill and Stemmons. It was in terrible condition. It was dirty, smelly and trashy. The air conditioning wasn't working and a number of the machines were out of order. The carpet was visibly worn and the whole place just had a vibe of shabbyness. Made me think they weren't going to stay for much longer in that location, which, to be fair has morphed a great deal for the worse since they opened it too.

Dissapointed in that visit to D&B's.

[Park Plaza Mall]

I had heard at one point it was like 90% that D&B was going in over by the Land Rover dealership and Rave, so they were looking at the market.

We all had our hopes up didn't we? As it turns out, it was a Playtime Pizza location. A dissapointing one-off of Chuck E Cheese.

Haven't heard anything of it lately, I wondering if it fell through.

[Park Plaza Mall]

If Mr Wicks, Ozark Outdoor Supply, or Trademarks were located in Park Plaza mall, I would expect their business strategy to have to change. I would not be surprised if all three failed to be successful in Park Plaza.

Please continue to share your experience, as I will to.

Is Trademarks still around at all? Since the original owner sold it, it seems like it has moved at least twice, not sure where it is now.

[The Promenade At Chenal]

Updated list with Lids added.

J Crew

Apple

Bebe

Victoria's Secret

Coldwater Creek

Dickinson Theater/IMAX

Chili's

Portrait Innovations

Ann Taylor Loft

Journeys

Finish Line

American Eagle

Lids

Add Limited Too and Select Comfort. Wow.

OK, I'm going to say it. Does anyone else think this is a LAME center? Not nearly as impressive as the location should dictate. Take out Apple (unique, but a very limited appeal) and this center looks just like every other C minus shopping center. Where's Claire's Boutique, Regis Salon and Sbarro? Very dissapointing so far.

[The Promenade At Chenal]

Very true, though it is all casino driven (for what that's worth). I had been told that the shopping center on the Bossier Riverfront wasn't high-end, and was even perhaps outlet? I looked at the website one time and wasn't overly impressed. Kudos however to the vision for putting this in an urban area. There is also Sci-Port, a kids science museum downtown Shreveport which looks nice...nicer than the Museum of Discovery.

Yes it is an outlet mall, but very well done. In the same style as Shackleford Crossing ("streets" between the shops, etc) The night we were there their symphony was playing an outdoor concert by the river.

[The Promenade At Chenal]

I'll admit, I don't get the Shreveport comparison. There's not much Shreveport and Jackson have that we don't.

We had an occasion to visit Shreveport last year. I was very impressed by their revitalization efforts on their downtown riverfront. Casinos, high-rise hotels, a Bass Pro and accompanying retail development, all well done and VERY BUSY.

That was an eye opener for me.

[North Little Rock Development]

Today's ADG mentioned a piece of property that I'd forgotten about, the old Baptist Memorial Hospital in NLR.

What in the world is ever going to be done with that old building?

Anyone have any ideas? Like the old LR VA hospital, it's tough to figure out what to do with an empty building that large.

Doze it. The value is in that tract of land. Good location, access to I-40, a killer view, etc. Hopefully the next developer will do something nice.

[UALR]

He's a Colorado native but chose Arkansas and then chose to make his home here, which makes him even more interesting in my book.

I don't know that he has any coaching experience but I think he would make an excellent coach.

Colorado? I always thought he was a KC guy. Super Joe from Slater MO