In The News

Kelley Commercial Partners Adds New Shareholder Partners

Kelley Commercial Partners is pleased to announce the appointment of two new shareholder partners, Jessi Miller and Gary Smith. They will be joining existing partners Hank Kelley, Daryl Peeples, Maggie Hogan, Nick Kelley, Cynthia Lu, Brooke Miller, Kevin Pledger, Eric Varner, and Cheryl White.

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Jessi Miller

Jessi Miller, Director of Human Resources and Accounting Manager

Jessica Miller joined Kelley Commercial Partners in 2007 and worked her way through accounting, brokerage, and property management departments before settling into accounting in 2013. In 2018, she was promoted to accounting manager and director of human resources. Miller works in conjunction with the executive committee to set policy for employees and manage day-to-day human resources issues.

A native of South Dakota, Jessica and her family chose Arkansas as their home state after her husband’s retirement from the U.S. Air Force. Miller earned a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Park University in 2012 — an accomplishment she is especially proud of as she was able to complete the degree in four years while working full time at Kelley Commercial Partners and raising two children.

“I am grateful to work for a company that has supported and encouraged me in my professional and personal goals. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the company and the team.”

Gary Smith

Gary Smith, Director of Business Development

Gary Smith began his commercial real estate career as an agent Kelley Commercial Partners in 1998 and was promoted to director of business development in 2005. He is a committed professional skilled at identifying and meeting his clients’ commercial real estate goals. Smith attributes his success to establishing trust and negotiating transactions with the best interest of all parties in mind. He works closely with the Little Rock Port Authority and was part of the team that helped bring Amazon’s new distribution center to the port.

Smith received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from East New Mexico University where he was a member of the golf team. Smith is still an avid golfer and has contributed his passion and talent for the game into serving his community. For several years, he has served as chair and member of the golf committee for the Centers for Youth and Family Foundation Annual Golf Tournament. He and his wife, Jennifer, are also active members of their church, where they lead the greeting team.

“It is an honor to be named a partner and I am proud to be a member of the team of professionals at Kelley Commercial Partners.”

Hank Kelley on 2020 and beyond

Hank Kelley, CEO, Executive Broker, Partner

Like so many businesses and individuals, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented Kelley Commercial Partners with unprecedented challenges, but it has also given us a unique opportunity to more clearly focus on the continued improvement of our knowledge of the commercial real estate sector and the values by which we run our business. Our commitment to the safety of our employees, clients, and customers has been and will continue to be paramount. Ensuring the readiness of our team to work remotely is part of that commitment. We’ve garnered much insight by working more closely with banks and the Small Business Administration as many of our clients navigated the tricky waters of PPP loans and other unplanned COVID-related expenses. Maintaining financial stability for our clients and our own company continues to be a top priority and our team grows more confident each day that we have the knowledge and values to keep moving us all moving forward. Many of the companies we interact with — both locally and across the country — have faced challenges that require a higher level of patience and empathy as we all wrestle with the uncertainty a pandemic has delivered.

The good news is that these lessons are making us a stronger company, one more prepared than ever to face whatever the next decade may bring. Many of our team members quickly adapted to working remotely and some will likely continue working from home after the pandemic is gone. Our cloud-based brokerage management, accounting, and payment systems have been very effective tools to ensure that we are operating as efficiently as possible, whether we are behind our desk at home, in the office, or on a property site.

However effective these applications have proved to be, the true defining characteristic of our company’s success has been our team’s ability to earn and maintain the trust of our clients. If this year has taught us anything, it’s that most clients care far less about exactly what we know and instead place much more importance on how we show that we truly care about them both personally and professionally. Our agents go through rigorous training and development to ensure they have the skills and knowledge that our clients expect and deserve, but as we all know, even the wisest counsel can only be heard after trust is established and skills are proven. This focus on always coming to the table with a positive attitude and willingness to do the hard work of building trust has been in place since day one and will remain a principal aspect of our company culture far into the future.

We work throughout the state in many property categories — unimproved land, build-to-suit, retail, office, industrial, hotels, multifamily. Prior to March, we were spending more time on retail and office requirements. Today we are working with a variety of industrial and distribution needs as well as acquisitions by users and investors. We believe industrial properties will be active over the next several years to answer the needs of online distribution and manufacturing.

We see some retail space making a transition to more service and medical uses. Owners of retail properties that are able and willing to make that conversion will benefit by diversifying their tenant mix. COVID and the growth in online shopping have caused owners of retail properties to convert empty spaces to uses not directly affected beyond online shopping. COVID accelerated the transition, and that will continue.

Office space users are also weighing their future needs. Some are looking for more traditional office plans providing an emphasis on safety; others are planning to make remote work permanent. However, we are confident the value of working together, in person will bring the office market back to a normal condition during the next two years.

The pandemic did force us to pivot some aspects our business plan, but our focus on unwavering client support has not changed. Our standards are still as high as ever and we measure our performance against those standards. We are grateful for the opportunities we have had during this past year and know that 2020 will be thought of as a year that taught us some valuable life lessons. Now the challenge is remembering these lessons as we move through this stage of the pandemic into a future filled with hope.

In the December 21 issue of Arkansas Business, Hank Kelley and six other business leaders in the community were asked to share their expectations for the future.

High Cotton Decor now open at The Shoppes at Rodney Parham

Dani and Tim Martin

The Shoppes at Rodney Parham in West Little Rock welcomes High Cotton Decor, a charming, family-run store that specializes in unique home decor and handcrafted gifts. Owners, Dani and Tim Martin opened this WLR location to operate as a “sister-store” to The Cotton Shed Vintage Market, a 32,000 SF store in Bryant that hosts more than 200 local vendors from all over the state. High Cotton has high standards, which is why Ms. Martin says she sources most of the merchandise in her store from local artists and vendors, seeking out southern makers as well as items that support the fight to end human trafficking.

DIY Studio

DIY Studio

Feeling creative? Grab an apron and take a seat in the DIY Studio to create your own art. The store is currently stocked with festive holiday decor and unique gifts to brighten anyone’s day. They are even offering free, contactless delivery in Little Rock and Bryant areas. The store is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 10020 N. Rodney Parham Rd.

Tim and Dani are working hard to get their online store up and running, but until then, you can find their products in the store or on ArkansasAlley.com. Be sure to check out their Facebook page!

For leasing information at The Shoppes at Rodney Parham, contact Brooke Miller or Cheryl White at 501.375.3200.

High Cotton Gifts

Holiday decor and unique gifts

36th Annual International Greek Food Festival this Friday and Saturday

International Greek Food Festival

Opa!  Did you miss something this past May? The International Greek Food Festival? Well, it’s here! It’s a little different this year, but the food promises to be as good as always. The event, which is the largest ethnic festival in Arkansas, was postponed this May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Order now for pick-up Friday and Saturday

Order now for pick-up Friday and Saturday

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, which has presented the much-loved Festival for over 35 years, will offer its famous handmade Greek food and pastries Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th for drive-through pickup. Featured dishes on the menu include gyros, pastitsio, spanakopita, two types of baklava, the Festival’s famous Greek meatballs, and much more. Order online and pick up between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at  1100 Napa Valley Dr, Little Rock.

“The 2020 International Greek Food Festival looks forward to continuing its tradition of serving food, friends, and the community,” said Festival Chair Jerry Horani.  “While we can’t showcase our exciting entertainment, music, and cultural markets this year, we can still support fantastic charities with the help of our wonderful sponsors and the central Arkansas community.”

The International Greek Food Festival has donated more than $1.5 million to over 30 charities that serve children, families, and communities throughout central Arkansas.  Proceeds from this year’s festival will benefit Community Connections, Centers for Youth & Families, Easterseals Arkansas, Humane Society of Pulaski County, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Wolfe Street Foundation, and Youth Home, Inc., as well as Annunciation Ministries. In addition, a truck from Arkansas Foodbank will be on-site at the church to accept all kinds of food donations.

For more information, a full list of the charities supported by the Festival, and a menu for the drive-through event, visit their website. Pre-ordering is now open.

Kim’s Alterations masks up with style

Kim Lien Trinh

Just because masks have become a daily necessity, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style or personality. Kim’s Alterations is selling these unique, delicately hand-embroidered, cotton face masks at her shop located at 2002 N. Mississippi just off Cantrell Rd. Masks sell for $15 each and come in a variety of colors, so you can mix it up next time you mask up. And with the holidays right around the corner, you can show your support for this small local business by picking up a few extra masks to give as gifts to family and friends.

“They’re comfortable, pretty, and make you feel happy,” said Kim Lien Trinh, owner.

Kim's masks

Owner Kim Trinh shows off one of her favorite masks

Kim’s Alterations opened just over one year ago but Kim has been doing alterations since 1994. Business at her impeccably clean one-woman-shop has grown steadily and she enjoys meeting new people every day, Kim said. Services include alterations of men’s and women’s clothing, formal gowns, and beading. She also works on leather, a service that is hard to find. Still, her favorite things to work on are the formal dresses and wedding gowns. She’s open Tuesday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If you’re thinking of hanging your shingle, browse our listings and contact one of our agents to help you find the best space for your business.