Calling all North Little Rock-ians! The Argenta District is finding alternative methods to serve customers their favorite district cuisine.
The North Little Rock City Council approved the Argenta Outdoor Dining District to open for business seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The district includes Main Street from 8th Street to Broadway, 4th Street from Maple to Poplar and Argenta Plaza. The sidewalks were marked with boundaries on Thursday to ensure that customers will stay within the designated area.
This brand-new entertainment district will allow patrons to enjoy Argenta eats in a socially-distant fashion and carry drinks within the district’s boundaries.
Participating businesses will be marked with a window sticker to let customers know its policy on alcoholic beverages.
“Participating locations have a window sticker to let patrons know they may leave with a drink if the business sells alcohol, or may enter with a drink if the business does not,” says a North Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau press release.
The decision to open the Argenta Outdoor Dining District is a result of North Little Rock Mayor Joe A. Smith’s urgency to support small businesses in the area.
“Our Argenta businesses have been hit especially hard, because the neighborhood thrives on an atmosphere of togetherness,” says Chris Kent, Executive Director of the Argenta Downtown Council in a press release. “The live performances and events that are part of the Argenta experience have, for good reason, been put on hold. This outdoor dining district allows us to recapture some of that spirit, but in safe ways.”
According to Stephanie Slagle, North Litle Rock Convention and Visitor Bureau marketing director, the district is ecstatic to bring the community back together in a safe environment.
“Downtown is a-buzz. Despite the relative quiet from the pandemic, downtown restaurants and businesses are excited. They were glad that the district wasn’t over-complicated and are eager to start (some already have). There’s a lot of positive momentum downtown, with new murals being installed, new restaurants like Brood & Barley opening and more people returning to work in the downtown area.”
Participating restaurants include Brood & Barley, Cregeen’s Irish Pub, Crush Wine Bar, Flyway Brewing Four Quarter Bar (temporarily closed for renovations), The Joint Theater & Coffeehouse and Skinny J’s.
More information regarding the Argenta Outdoor Dining District is available here.
