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Little Rock, Arkansas (October 31, 2012)-Downtown Little Rock has been selected by an online organization called “Livability” as No. 5 in a new Top 10 Downtowns 2012 list just released.

Downtown Little Rock was noted for its nine distinct neighborhoods, each offering a mix of residential and commercial property, with the most popular being the River Market District, a draw for concerts, sporting events, and landmarks such as the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park, along the Arkansas River. It was also noted for the system of streetcars increasing accessibility between Little Rock and North Little Rock and with stops at many downtown attractions.

Citing criteria set forth by Christopher Leinberger, director of the Center for Real Estate and Analysis at George Washington University, the Livability.com team noted, “We set out to identify downtowns especially poised to offer the best experiences to residents and visitors, show signs of economic growth, and have community leaders with clear plans for continued improvement to these districts. We needed a perspective to help us decide what sets apart the best downtowns from the merely good downtowns.”

Downtown Little Rock Partnership (DLRP) was specifically referenced in the announcement: “A nonprofit group called Downtown Little Rock Partnership leads the charge for revitalization by teaming with city leaders on strategy and special projects, such as renovating buildings and beautifying street corners. The group also brings in special events and seasonal attractions.”

Sharon Priest, executive director of Downtown Little Rock Partnership, said, “We are very pleased to have downtown Little Rock chosen as No. 5 for Livability. These honors for downtown and Little Rock are a result of the hard work of many people. We do especially appreciate our members at the Downtown Little Rock Partnership who volunteer their time to work on events such as the Main Street Food Truck Festival and committees focused on a vibrant downtown Little Rock.”

Downtown Little Rock Partnership is a nonprofit representing approximately 200 member businesses, organizations and individuals in pursuit of a remarkable urban experience for those who work, live, play and invest in downtown Little Rock. Millie Ward is the current president of the Board of Directors.

According to Priest, “DLRP members strive to provide leadership in planning, legislation, transportation, economic development and numerous public and private initiatives that strengthen the overall downtown as well as enhance its image.” DLRP also manages Metrocentre Business Improvement District (BID No. 1) to provide services for a cleaner and safer downtown.

For more information about Downtown Little Rock Partnership call 501.375.0121 or www.downtownlr.com to go online today. For the complete Livability listing about Downtown Little Rock, livability.com

If developer Scott Reed perfects his plan, the arts district in downtown Little Rock will not only be expanding, but citizens will be able to live and businesses thrive in the heart of the district.

Reed’s company – Reed Realty Advisors of Portland, Ore. – recently closed on four buildings through Flake & Kelley Commercial of Little Rock.

The Boyle Building at 501 Main Street is 80,832 square feet. Built in 1909, the building is 80,832 square feet and sits at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Main Street. It was priced at $1.2 million. The Arkansas Building (and its annex building) at 522 and 524 Main Street is 62,816 square feet. Built in 1910, the building at the intersection of Main and 6th streets was listed at $900,000. The MM Cohn Building at 510 Main Street is 54,600 square feet. Built in 1941, the building was listed at $515,000.

The buildings are contiguous.

Hank Kelley of Flake & Kelley said Reed is a master at planning how the development will serve many capacities, including multi-family rental, office and retail.

“What Scott does is perfect a plan,” Kelley said. “He wants to build on the arts district that is anchored by the Repertory Theater. It’s an amenities package. That’s what makes this so unique.

“I can tell you from my own experience with the Lafayette building and the Rock Street lofts that there’s a big demand for rental. From what I understand, there will be 100-plus family units involved in this.”

Reed is involved in some not-for-profit groups that could be part of the commercial plans.
Kelley said the planned development is a good sign that the commercial market is coming back in Little Rock.

“It’s absolutely a good sign,” Kelley said. “Where people live is the first step in any (commercial) development. It provides conveniences to them.”

www.dailyrecord.us to read the full article.

ROGERS — Cabela’s Inc. of Sidney, Neb., which bills itself as the world’s foremost outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, last week offered a glimpse inside its new store in Rogers.
There was much to see, to the extent that the local chamber of commerce believes the store will become a tourist attraction in its own right.

An indoor archery range where shoppers can check out a bow before they buy.

A gun library that includes antique guns, some as old as 100 years, ranging in price from $200 to “thousands,” according to Wes Remmer, a Cabela’s spokesman who was guiding reporters through the new store, which is to open Aug. 30.

The “mountain,” one of the most popular places in the store, is where replicas of animals are displayed in a steep, rocky setting.
Hunting is the biggest chunk of the retailer’s business, Remmer said, followed by fishing, but that varies from market to market.
Dick and Mary Cabela founded the business in 1961 as a catalog operation in Chappel, Neb., selling hand tied flies for $1 per dozen. The Rogers outlet will open as the company’s 39th store, and the company now has stores from Maine to Arizona and Washington state.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Remmer said of the 100,000-square-foot Rogers store. “There are thousands of hunters and fishermen … in Northwest Arkansas.”

Cabela’s is a major competitor to Bass Pro Shops, which has 58 U.S. stores. The Springfield, Mo., company, started by Johnny Morris about 40 years ago, has announced plans to open its first Arkansas store by late next year. About 250 people will be hired at a 120,000-square-foot store adjacent to Gateway Town Center in southwest Little Rock, near Interstates 430 and 30.
Also, Bass Pro will open a store in the Memphis Pyramid that stands near the Interstate 40 bridge over the Mississippi River. Once the home of the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team, the vast building will house a 220,000-square-foot store, about the size of one of Wal-Mart’s larger supercenters. But that won’t come close to the one in the home base of Springfield, where the Bass Pro complex covers about 450,000 square feet.

Larry Whitely, a spokesman for Bass Pro, said the Bass Pro in the Pyramid will open next year, but the date has not yet been determined.

Bass Pro, which already has a store on Macon Road in Memphis, has a strong presence in the Southeast, the one region of the country where Cabela’s is largely absent.

Cabela’s has stores in Buda, Fort Worth and Allen, Texas, and in Gonzales, La., between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The company opened a store in Wichita, Kan., on March 14. It has one Missouri store in Hazelwood, in the St. Louis region, but no stores in Mississippi or Tennessee or points to the south and east of there.

At Cabela’s new store in Rogers, people not so much into hunting and fishing can visit the home/cabin section. It also will sell furniture, plus earrings, watches, necklaces and the company’s own line of fudge – 35 flavors.

“People who come into the store can satisfy their sweet tooth,” Remmer said.

Employment at the store, including full-time, part-time and seasonal workers, is projected to be about 225, said Chris Comer, store manager.

Comer said the community’s reaction to the new store has been positive.

“The level of excitement here is just off the charts,” he said. “I’ve just been overwhelmed with the enthusiasm.”
In addition to fishing and hunting gear, the Rogers store will sell boats, including Lowe, Alumacraft, Nitro and Stratos, and will operate a full-line boat-service center.

All-terrain vehicles also will be featured.

The opening of Cabela’s has drawn enthusiasm from Northwest Arkansas promoters.

“It’s kind of like winning the World Series twice in a row,” said Raymond Burns, president and chief executive officer of the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. “It will pull customers from far away and will drive other retail sales. It’s a brand that’s well-known.”

Burns said the chamber has been working with Cabela’s “from almost day one.” The retail attraction will be a good complement to the lure of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, he said.

“Certainly it will influence how we market this area for people who come here for weekends,” Burns said.

Tom Ginn, vice president for economic development at the Bentonville-Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce, said he has visited the Cabela’s in Kansas City, Kan., and was impressed. He expects the store to draw shoppers from a 100-mile radius.
“These kinds of things help this region function. It’s like a tourism dollar. It’s a real coup to have that store in the region,” he said.
In July, Cabela’s announced plans to build a 43,000-square-foot Cabela’s Outpost store in Saginaw, Mich., to open next spring. It will be the company’s second small-format store.
It also has plans for a full size store to open next spring in Anchorage, Alaska.

Jon Hodaway, who runs Nighthawk Custom Training Academy in Centerton, said Cabela’s presence could be bad news for small gun stores in the region, such as Ozark Sportsman Supply in Tontitown, Ozark Armory in Springdale and GI Guns & Ammo in Rogers.

“They’re going to suck the water out of the pond around here,” he said.

Business, Pages 61 on 08/19/2012

Print Headline: Cabela’s store in Rogers raring to open

Gary Smith was quoted in the Arkansas Busines publication this week. Check out what he had to say in regards to industrial vacancy rate drops… “With continued economic concerns in the industrial sector for large blocks, negotiations for these spaces have become more tenant friendly. The overall market in central Arkansas continues to remain strong compared with other areas.” ~ Gary Smith, Director of Business Development, Flake & Kelley Commercial