by Lauren McLemore and Lisa Fischer

With neighborhoods like Chenal, Waterview Estates and Pleasant Valley, natural wonders like Pinnacle Mountain State Park and Lake Maumelle, and a plethora of restaurants, shops and hotels, it’s no wonder that west Little Rock is one of Arkansas’ coolest locales. There’s truly something for everyone.

While what defines west Little Rock has changed over the years – it was originally Stifft Station and then the area along University Avenue – today it is generally recognized as the expanse west of Interstate 430 along the Arkansas River to Roland.

Business is booming along Arkansas Hwy. 10, where everything from residential neighborhoods to mom and pop shops to a state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar bank headquarters is on the rise. And as west Little Rock continues to expand, more and more business owners are seizing on the opportunity to set up shop in this vibrant, burgeoning community.

In our second edition of AY’s Guide to West Little Rock, we’ll explore some of the many businesses that make this section of the capital city great!

SWEET & SOUTHERN

Known for their dedication to the famous homemade dessert, Honey Pies is a friendly neighborhood bakery that’s a one-stop-shop for locally sourced coffee and endless varieties of pies.

With the bakery having been around almost three years, owner Sharon Woodson still sticks to what works – small batches and traditional technique.

“We have that homemade delicious crust,” Woodson says about the bakery’s signature all-butter, hand-mixed pie crust.

Pie flavors range from decadent peanut butter and chocolate fudge to seasonal flavors like key lime and peach.

The bakery also offers pie bars as a dessert alternative for weddings and other events.

Serving banana pudding, giant cookies and gluten-free crème brûlée alongside the pies, Woodson is confident there is something at Honey Pies for “anyone who appreciates a good dessert.”

DESIGNED FOR YOU

GET DRESSED

Dressing for success may sound simple, but for Paul Rainwater at Q Clothier, it’s a thing to be taken seriously. 

Fitting appointments at the custom suiting and shirting outlet are nothing short of classy, with whiskey available for sipping before measurements are taken.

From the seams to the buttons to the thousands of fabric choices available, Rainwater uses his 45 years of clothing sales experience to make sure each meeting is stress-free and each detail of the tailor-made piece will be perfect. 

SET YOUR SMILE APART

Dr. Monty Heathman and his team see dentistry as more than a service. To them, it’s an art and a science. 

The clinic itself offers an upscale environment and views of the nearby five-acre pond from each operatory.

At Heathman Family Dentistry, Heathman prioritizes patient relationships and provides high-quality care to patients of all ages using some of the country’s finest laboratories along with digital radiography, x-rays, paperless records and high-tech biomaterials.

Having spent more than 18 years in practice, Heathman says his training and expertise allow the clinic to deliver most disciplines of dentistry.

Common services include implant restoration, dental crowns and root canal therapy, but from routine cleanings to cosmetic procedures, the clinic’s full spectrum of treatment is designed so that Heathman’s patients rarely have to see an outside practice or specialist.

At Heathman Family Dentistry, you’ll find people with a passion for excellent dentistry, one of America’s top dentists and a joy for giving back to the community through donations to homeless shelters, local schools, Arkansas Akita Rescue Foundation and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

GO AU NATURALE

The new spot for all things cannabidiol (CBD), Green Cross Naturals provides organic relief for a number of painful health conditions through their large selection of Arkansas-made CBD products. 

From inflammation-reducing topicals for sore athletes to novelty bath bombs for those in need of relaxation, there is something for everyone.

With years of professional experience, Manager Justin Butler can help any customer over the age of 18 with anything CBD from lip balm to pet products.

A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA

SAY IT WITH SPARKLE

In 1975, Cecil’s Fine Jewelry opened in Little Rock, and while some things have stayed the same, like its location in Trellis Square Shopping Center, the jewelry in stock features something new every single week. 

Along with their collection of classics, such as diamond stud, hoop and pearl earrings, the store also offers statement pieces, watches and bridal jewelry.

Owner Becky Whelan, who bought the store in 2003, says she purposely seeks out designs that are exciting to bring exclusively to Cecil’s.

“I try and find different things that would appeal to the everyday woman,” Whelan says. 

She personally tries on the pieces before bringing them home from a market or show to see if they are comfortable and a good fit for her customers.

With clients who come from all over the state, the store seeks to meet each individual need from watch and jewelry repairs to appraisals to engraving. They even offer lay-a-way and interest-free financing.

Though there are many things that set the jewelry store apart, it’s hard to resist fresh baked cookies and Jim Dickerson playing the store’s baby grand piano when you walk in the door.

DEFINE YOUR SMILE

Lee Wyant is an elite cosmetic dentist in west Little Rock. He wants to go to work for you by improving your smile and your confidence. He says his No. 1 priority is to provide “personalized, high-quality dental care to all” of his patients. His website shows many dramatic before and after photographs of the transformation of peoples’ smiles. Check it out at smilearkansas.com. Hesays that he has transformed more than 30,000 smiles in the Little Rock metropolitan area and beyond since 1982. That’s more than 37 years of beautiful smiles. 

SPECTACULAR CENTER

When developer Lou Schickel started pushing for a development west of I-430 in the 80s, people frankly thought he was a bit ambitious. Then the heavens opened up and the premier shopping mecca of Pleasant Ridge Town Center was birthed. This is the pedestrian friendly shopping center with beautiful landscaping and distinct architectural designs. If it’s your first time to the center,  you’ll be wowed by the gourmet foods and front door parking of anchor Fresh Market. Delicious meats, delectable desserts and a beautiful floral section will have you impressing anyone you’re feeding or entertaining. If it’s lunch or dinner you want, you can satisfy your hanger with many restaurant choices of different ethnicities. You can buy just about anything for your family and even home at the center’s other anchor, Belk. They are known for their great values and designer offerings. Want to know the best thing the center has? It is the big summer sale every year and for 2019, mark your calendars for July 19-20. This is when all the retailers participate with their sidewalk deals ranging from 25-75% off. Shop early for best selection. For a complete listing of all the center’s stores, go to  www.pleasantridgetowncenter.com.

PEACE OF MIND

HAVE A VISION

Arkansas native Celina Watson and her husband, Kristopher, opened C Klear Vision Optique in November 2018. 

With many combined years of experience in optometric practice and patient care at practices such as UAMS and TLC Laser Eye Centers, the Watsons’ family-owned practice serves all ages with special attention to achieving quality care.

C Klear offers glasses and contact lens fittings, exams and prescriptions as well as screenings, pre-operative and post-operative care for laser eye surgery patients.

SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT

Cosmetic dentist DJ Dailey III knows that a beautiful smile can be life changing when it comes to self-esteem, and it all starts with healthy teeth and gums. Offering both functional dentistry and cosmetic services, his office, Smile Dailey, provides a number of services and treatments for his patients.

General dentistry at Dailey’s offices includes exams, x-rays, fillings, crowns, jaw disorders, extractions and root canal therapy, while cosmetic procedures include implants, whitening treatments and porcelain veneers, as well as Invisalign and Botox.

Dailey is also committed to helping patients feel not just confident, but comfortable, by offering sedation dentistry to nervous patients. The team at Smile Dailey also seeks out the most practical and least invasive technology available for preventive and restorative dental care to help make each visit better than the last.

In addition to helping his in-office patients achieve an amazing smile, Dailey also sponsors Smile Train, an international charity supporting children born with cleft palates and help provide treatment through cleft repair surgery so they no longer face difficulties with eating, breathing or speaking.

CLEAN & SIMPLE

We might be a nation divided on a lot of issues, but when it comes to laundry, we want it clean. Right? That’s why Tide Dry Cleaners’ two Little Rock locations has swept the competition with outstanding service, customer satisfaction and ease of operation. You can drop your laundry and dry cleaning off 24/7 with the drop off boxes located at the store, and they’ll even wash, dry and fold anything you bring in. Wedding dress need cleaning? They’re your people. Don’t want to bog down your washer with that bulky comforter? They can do that, too. They’ll even sew on your buttons. They’re doing their part to simplify your life.

QUALITY OF PLACE

REJUVENATE & RELAX

Rejuvenation Clinic Day Spa is where beauty, tradition and science come together for some of the best progressive spa services in Little Rock. From manicures and pedicures to Botox treatments, the clinic’s day spa and med spa offer a full spectrum of services to their customers.

The appointment-only services available at the med spa, which opened in 2007, are all performed by medical professionals. Popular services include injectables, chemical peels and microneedling, a process for which the clinic uses the SkinPen – the only FDA-approved device for the service.  

BE HEALTHY & HAPPY

Hope is one of the most important things when it comes to family and individual success. The caring professionals at Pinnacle Pointe Behavioral Healthcare System bring that hope to their patients daily through mental healing for children and teens ages 5 to 17. The facility offers psychiatric services like residential and acute inpatient programs for adolescents suffering from conditions such as depression, anxiety, mood swings and grief or loss.

With a team of board-certified therapists, psychiatrists, nurses and dieticians and the opportunity to provide patients with activities like yoga and art alongside therapy sessions, Pinnacle Pointe knows the power of a comprehensive approach to healing. They even have a certified school to make sure no child falls behind in classes.

Maintaining their high focus on caring for military families, Pinnacle Pointe also offers global distance therapy, TeleMedicine services and video visitation for parents who are abroad.

After completing their free, 24/7 mental health assessment, you and your loved ones can be working with their team and be on your way to healing as soon as possible.

GET WHERE YOU’RE GOING

Buying a car is one of the most important decisions a family will make, but knowing they’re getting a vehicle they can depend on can make the process much less stressful. 

The locally-owned Mercedes-Benz of Little Rock dealership is the place where great vehicles meet outstanding service. David Kelly, the general manager, knows that Mercedes customers want not only great service but a great, reliable brand.

“The customer retention of the product is really high,” Kelly says, also noting that many of his customers are so committed that they’re on their sixth or seventh vehicle.

Offering things like loaners while cars are being serviced and a luxurious dealership atmosphere, Mercedes-Benz of Little Rock makes each customer feel like the most important one in the building.