The
Ascent of
By Kevin Shalin • Photos by Jamison Mosley
Downtown North Little Rock is on the rise, and at the center of it all is a thriving, diverse food and drink scene steeped in a collaborative effort to keep things moving forward. ake a stroll down Main Street in downtown North Little Rock, an area that runs through the heart of the Argenta Arts District. You will notice historic buildings, expansive murals and manicured flower beds that show off the beauty of a soulful neighborhood, one that has not only embraced change but has run with it. “The city and government, particularly Mayor [ Joe] Smith, did a great job of investing in downtown,” says Stephanie Slagle, marketing director at the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. It is a beautiful mix of old businesses with new ventures, and at the heart of it all is a collection of coffeehouses, restaurants and bars that have teamed up to form a food and drink community that rivals any in the area. “There is a camaraderie among the businesses that was already there, but after the pandemic, it
DRINKS
really solidified. They all started working together and realized that we are stronger together,” Slagle says. “A strong downtown is good for the whole city.” Slagle sees that collaboration among businesses, with advocates like Jess McMullen, owner of Brood & Barley, continuing to lead the charge. McMullen has made a heavy investment in the area. He also owns the popular Flyway Brewing, just a block away on Maple Street. The brewery opened in late 2015, and while elements of the actual space made for an easier initial decision of calling Argenta home, it was also the neighborhood’s potential that inspired McMullen the most. He says, “I thought the neighborhood was so vibrant. It was alive down here, but it was really in its infancy. There were still empty buildings and plots of land.” But progress was right around the corA cold, ner, literally. Argenta
frothy beer at Brood & Barley. (Courtesy)
