ecity3138

The names of the restaurants (Uncle Julios Mexican Restaurant was listed as a possible tenant) was at one point listed on the website until it was taken down. I was actually told by the developers (during the early stages of development) at one point of them working on some restaurants but nothing has yet happened nor has there been a public announcement of what tenants or hotel would locate at the center even though it’s been two years since the developers bought the property. The two restaurants deals are most likely existing brands in the market (Chili’s maybe) rather than new to the market type brands. I’m predicting typical fast food restaurants (Burger King, Raising Cane, etc) at the center which is nothing special unless you account for something like In & Out Burger though we have enough burger places in the market.

Anyone knows what will replace Sears when it vacate the premises this month? I heard rumors that Macy’s will take over the spot but I’m not sure that will happen with Macy’s recent announcement of closing hundreds of stores within the next two years.

I spoke to the developer of this project a couple of months ago about any update on what tenants are planning to open at the former Sears site and they said there was no tenants signed on at the development. It appears to me that the developers are struggling to attract tenants and just ashamed to say it publicly.

It seems like a lot of restaurants has closed in the Little Rock area the last two years. La Madeline was in a bad location and should have been in a more visible location such as the former Mimis Cafe location across from On the Border location.

There is a article on the Arkansas Business site that states a lease is being finalized for a tenant in the former Cajun’s Wharf space. I wonder who is the tenant?

Trader Joe’s has finally open!

Wow, there are not wasting anytime with opening this location. When is the grand opening?

Would love for that to happen. The location by the river and the large space would be perfect for it.

I hate that they didn’t keep at least some remnants of Cajun’s decor. I hope a unique venue such as House of Blues or a big national brand will take over the space.

I’ve posted this under the Restaurant Development in Little Rock discussion thread. Maybe a venue similar to Cajun’s would open in that spot. Just hope it’s something unique like Cajun’s was and not just a Mexican restaurant.

There was a little article on the Arkansas Business site that states a restaurant and entertainment venue wants to rent the former Cajun’s Wharf’s site. Anybody knows what the name of this venue?

Not too impressed with another Japanese restaurant. I was expecting something unique like Ruth Chris Steakhouse that was rumored to go in the former Del Frisco Grille.

Any updates on this development?

You’re correct. Dillard’s was suppose to come to the Promenade but back out at the last minute. I’ve recently contact mall management regarding new development at the center and was told that a tenant will anchor the shopping center on the Southwest Side of the shopping center across from Home Goods but could not released any other details at this time. I’m wonder what tenant could it be?

Just saw an updated site plan of the development which shows an upscale apartment in the works of being built next to the Tru by Hilton hotel. Personally, I disagree with this decision due to the fact that no one would like to pay upscale prices in a commercial zone area. We got enough upscale apartments (ex: Bowman Pointe, Fountains Bleau, Park Avenue Lofts) around the city.

So now that Trader’s Joes is in a process of opening a West Little Rock location, will this encourage other retailers (ex: Costco) to make their first Arkansas debut in the city. I still would love to see Costco open a location in West Little Rock or near the Gateway Town Center.

Does anyone know how’s the AMC Chenal 9 theater performing? There’s very little talk of the rebranded theater

At one point, Simon Property was going to build a 1.1 million square foot mall similar to one in Des Moines, IA at the site that Shackleford Crossing occupies but private organizations and some citizens oppose the plan stating it would hurt Park Plaza and the now defunct University Mall. The Summit Mall was supposed to have JCPenny, Sears, Dillard’s, and at one point Neiman Marcus. I really wish Simon would make the Summit Mall development a reality. We would have stores and restaurants still not present in the market such as Cheesecake Factory, Trader Joe’s, etc. The Shackleford Crossing Center is a failed development especially the main corridor of the development between Wal- Mart and JCPenny is dead with some of the spaces had not been occupied since the shopping center opened in 2007. Park Plaza, the only traditional indoor mall in Little Rock beside MCCain Mall in North Little Rock, still have a decent selection of stores despite the competition from nearby shopping centers but it’s too small especially since H&M took majority of the space. The Promenade At Chenal is a nice upscale neighborhood mall but it’s too remote and too small compare to the Summit Mall proposal. A lot of high profile retailers and restaurants prefer to be in a large shopping mall where the foot traffic is more dense and visibility is greater.

Any update to this development in terms what specific restaurants, shops, or hotel in store for the proposed District at Midtown?

I agree. There’s very limited food options at the mall right now. I hope they open at lease one decent full service restaurant in the mall for mall patrons to eat.

I hardly ever see anybody shop in this store at the time I visit the Outlet Mall. I wish mall management would bring Lego Store, Disney Store, or some sort of non-traditional stores not seen in the metro to the Outlet Mall. This would bring more foot traffic to the mall.

I really don’t think the city needs another new strip center with mostly empty spaces. We got plenty of that already. These developers need to focused on redevelopment existing properties (ex: Shackleford Crosssings is a prime example) before building new ones. Does anybody know the plans to redevelop the former Mimi’s Cafe and Romano’s Macaroni Grill space? Would be great for casual restaurants like TGI Friday’s, Red Robin (don’t understand why there’s only one location in the Little Rock area) or locally owned establishments take over these two buildings.

This is great addition to the Little Rock dining scene as the city needs more healthier alternatives to what is currently present. I originally hope a similar establishment, Salata, would open up in Arkansas but this concept would be just as good. I’m hoping Saladworks, Salata, or GrabbaGreen Type Restaurant would open in the Gateway Town Center development possibly next to Smoothie Cafe. I’ve looked on their website and saw the menu is pretty good. Either Ralph & Kacoo’s or Pappadeaux would be a great to a city who’s lacking in true seafood restaurants.

I agree that a restaurant like Pappadeaux will fit perfect in the Gateway Town Center development especially next to Hooters which originally was suppose to be a restaurant. This would be cheaper for them to build a brand new building in a high profile site than to renovate a 44 years old building which would be very expensive even for a chain like them. I have put a request for them to open a location in the Little Rock area since there’s no major seafood restaurant remaining after Cajun’s Wharf close on June 1 other than Red Lobster and Arthur’s Seafood. I provide a link below for anyone who want to see them open a location in Arkansas. https://pappadeaux.com/contact-us/

Some Pappadeaux locations in major cities are about that size. If Pappadeaux or any similar establishment take over the space, they can downsize the space to at least 12,000 square feet. Some Pappadeaux locations are about that size depending on the market. If they or a similar establishment take over the space, then they can downsize the location to at least 12,000 square feet by doing a complete overhaul of the building.