In The News

Kim’s Alterations Opens at Mississippi and Cantrell

Kim Lien Trinh of Kim's Alterations

Nick Kelley helped small business owner, Kim Lien Trinh, find the perfect space and location for her new venture. Kim’s Alterations opened at 2002 N. Mississippi, next door to Max Cleaners just off Cantrell Rd. Trinh gave the 1,200 SF space a clean, fresh, modern makeover inside and out before opening on Sept. 3.

“I love the location and the visibility from Cantrell,” said Trinh.

Kim Lien Trinh - Kims Alterations

Trinh in her workspace

Upon entering the shop, customers are greeted by an inviting seating area in neutral greys and browns. To the left of the entry is a curved, slatted wall enclosure where Trinh works. Most of one wall holds large spools of thread in just about every color imaginable. Her workspace is bright and organized.

“You should have seen the place had an amazing commercial concrete floors,” said Nick Kelley.

Trinh has been doing alterations since 1994, first for S&K Menswear and then with her brother at International Alterations of Benton. Her services include alterations of men’s and women’s clothing, formal gowns, and beading. She also works on leather.

“My favorite things to work on are prom and formal gowns. I like to see how pretty the girls look,” said Trinh.

Kims Alterations

2002 N. Mississippi just off Cantrell

Flake & Kelley has a wide variety of commercial properties available of all types and sizes. Let our experts help you find your perfect space. Contact us today.

Chainlinks: Partners, Restaurants & Recipes from New Orleans

Brown Butter Tart

We get a lot of mail at Flake & Kelley, but there is one piece, in particular, we look forward to opening every month. Corporate Realty, our #ChainLinks partner in New Orleans, sends an update of their monthly transactions, plus a feature and a recipe from one of the Big Easy’s fabulous restaurants. In June, it was Herbsaint Bar and Restaurant and the recipe for their Brown Butter Tart. July featured Link & Stryjewski Foundation and Apple Pocket Pie! ChainLinks membership has its privileges, but this just might be one of the best perks. Thanks for sharing, Corporate Realty.

Opportunity zone task force named; 20 people are selected by Little Rock mayor

by Rachel Herzog | August 10, 2019 at 2:26 a.m.

ArkansasOnline.com

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. has named 20 people to serve on a task force that will work on helping the city to leverage its opportunity zones.

The team of developers, bankers and civic leaders will study how the city can attract investors to the federally designated economically distressed census tracts in Little Rock where new investments can be eligible for preferential tax treatment, a federal initiative that came with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Arkansas Opportunity Zone Selection (2018.4.20 update)

At a panel discussion that hosted officials from Washington, D.C., on Monday, Scott said encouraging investment in opportunity zones is one way to revitalize disadvantaged areas.

The task force will be chaired by Will Rockefeller of the Winrock Group. Martie North Hamilton, director of community development at Simmons Bank, will serve as a co-chair, according to a news release from the city.

The committee also includes:

• Regina Favors, interim president of Arkansas Baptist College

• Lisa Ferrell, developer

• Merritt Dake, CEO of Rock Dental Brands

• Virgil Miller, banker at Arvest Bank

• Angel Burt, vice president of the Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association

• Kevin Huchingson, CEO of Colliers International, Arkansas office

• Shawn Govind, director of real estate development for the Pinnacle Hotel Group

• Leslie Lane, president of Arkansas Capital Corporation Group

• Ivan Hudson, insurance agent

• Tristan Wilkerson, managing principal at Think Rubix LLC

Lee Hastings IV, agent with Flake and Kelley Commercial

• Chris Moses, developer

• Jill Floyd, member of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission

• Richard Mays, anonymous lawyer

• Nathan Rutledge, senior management director of Crews & Associates

• Ted Dickey, investment fund founder

• Patrick Schueck, vice president of Lexicon Inc.

• Pam Courtney, developer

Trader Joe’s gets city OK for $1M work to renovate space in west Little Rock

11500 Financial Center Parkway

by Noel Oman | Today at 12:20 p.m.

ArkanasasOnline.com

Trader Joe’s, the California-based grocery store chain that has built its popularity on store-wide private-label products, has won city approval to retrofit part of a former Toys R Us location in west Little Rock to house its first Arkansas store.

The work, valued at more than $1 million, includes new systems for heating and cooling the store, refrigeration, plumbing click here now to see the fantastic job that have done All Sewers Service Plumbing 4276 Katella Ave #230 Los Alamitos CA 90720 (844) 389-8882 and electrical work as well as the installation of grocery-store fixtures, according to the permit, which was approved last week.

The permit application was filed by Jeda Design in July. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based design firm’s clients include Trader Joe’s.

Hank Kelley, chief executive officer, partner, and executive broker of Flake & Kelley, the commercial real estate firm marketing the former Toys R Space at 11500 Financial Centre Parkway, said he wasn’t authorized to speak about the prospective tenant.

The firm’s marketing documents lists about half of the available space in the Toys R Us storefront as still being available, the balance of the roughly 30,000 square feet reserved for a “national retailer.”

A spokesman for Trader Joe’s didn’t immediately return a phone call for comment.

Task force set for Little Rock Zoo; group to examine business model, facilities plans

Little Rock Zoo Task Force

by Josh Snyder | July 22, 2019 at 9:44 a.m.

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and the Arkansas Zoological Foundation on Monday announced the creation of a task force that will study planning and development for the city’s zoo.

The “Task Force for the Zoo’s Future,” part of Scott’s initiative to consider the future of the War Memorial Park area, will scrutinize the zoo’s business model and facilities master plan and develop a funding action plan, according to a news release by the city.

The zoo’s master plan was initially developed in 2014, and members of the new team will consider new strategies in park and animal habitat design, as well as guest amenities, officials said.

“As one of the largest tourist attractions in the state and the only accredited zoo in Arkansas, the Little Rock Zoo is an important part of War Memorial Park and our City,” Scott said.

According to the release, task force members will include:

  • Brad Cazort, Chair of the Zoo Board of Governors
  • Lisa Buehler, Chair of the Arkansas Zoological Foundation
  • State Joyce Elliott, Vice-Chair of the Mayor’s Quality of Life Subcommittee for the Scott Script
  • Kathy Webb, City Ward 3 Director and liaison to the Zoo Board of Governors
  • Jessica Poynter, Chair, Generation Zoo Young Professionals
  • Chad Causey, Causey Law Firm, Board Member, Arkansas Zoological Foundation
  • Andrew Rogerson, Chancellor, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  • Hank Kelley, CEO/Partner, Flake & Kelley Commercial
  • Tab Townsell, Executive Director, Metroplan
  • Rhonna Wade, Chair, Create Little Rock
  • Gretchen Hall, Executive Director, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Brandon Bibby, Associate AIA, WER Architects/Planners
  • Nate Coulter, Director, Central Arkansas Library System

Zoo Director Susan Altrui, City Manager Bruce Moore, and Jay Chessir, President and CEO of the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce are to serve in ex-officio roles, officials said. According to the release, Schultz & Williams, a “zoo consulting firm” will support the task force with business planning regarding public-private partnerships. The Arkansas Zoological Foundation contracted the firm for $26,000 excluding travel expenses, according to officials.