Transitions
By Eric E. Harrison (Contact)
LITTLE ROCK — Einstein Bros. Bagels, a spreading national chain that currently has no locations in the area, expects a Northwest Arkansas franchisee to open two outlets this year. And the company is seeking a franchisee to bring at least five stores into the Little Rock market.
Paul Carolan, senior vice president of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, which operates Einstein Bros., says weather has delayed the opening of a store in Rogers, which could be up and running as early as August, and a second location is under construction in Bentonville with a possible December opening. The franchisee is seeking locations for two more.
Meanwhile, “we’re in search of an additional franchisee to open up the Little Rock market,” Carolan says. “It’s got the right demographics for us.”
Einstein Bros. is more than just bagels, Carolan notes - it has a fast-casual menu with breakfasts, bagels and baked goods, “a compelling coffeeprogram” (meaning it’s a coffee destination, not just a place you pick up coffee along with a baked good) and a “lunch program” with bagel sandwiches, soups and salads.
The company has more than 600 restaurants, under the Einstein Bros., Noah’s New York Bagels and Manhattan Bagel brand names, in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Check out the Web site, www.einste innoah.com.
A fire in the wee hours of June 23 damaged the Starlite Diner, 250 E. Military Drive at MacArthur Drive, North Little Rock, and patrons have reported a “Closed due to fire” sign on the front. Owner Doug Bennett has been trying to sell the diner, including an eBay posting that got a lot of hits but no takers. There’s no answer at (501) 753-1433, but the phone hasn’t yet been disconnected.
Starving Artist Cafe, 416 W. Seventh St., Little Rock, in transition to a new space at 411 Main St. in North Little Rock’s Argenta district, has dropped its Sunday brunch.
Co-ownerPaula Morrell says the exact hours of the new location, including whether they’ll be open on Sundays, when it reopens in August or September, are still under discussion. The current and future phone number is (501) 372-7976.
Husband-and-wife team Ken Stauffer and Robin Morrissey are opening a new restaurant called Stromboli’s at 2665 Donaghey Ave., Suite 101, Conway, across the street from the Dairy Queen in what used to be Mr. Goodcents. Target date is mid-July. The menu will feature New York-style hand-tossed pizza, strombolis (a sort of rolled pizza sandwich), grinders (toasted subs), paninis, gelato, cannoli, tiramisu and salads. Hours will probably be 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, Morrissey says. The telephone number is (501) 327-3700.
Speaking of pizza, Paragould-based Boldini’s Pizza, the parent company of Pizza for Less, Pizza Perfect and Boldini’s Pizza Co., has launched its official corporate Web site, www.boldinispizza.com, with “several features that will benefit both loyal customers and those looking for a new, fresh and delicious pizza experience, including a ‘Fresh Deals’ discount e-mail option and a listing of all the company’s locations,” according to a news release. (There are Pizza for Less outlets in Batesville, Little Rock, Malvern, Paragould, Sherwood and Helena-West Helena and one Pizza Perfect in Little Rock. Boldini’s outlets are coming soon to Blytheville, Jonesboro and Pocahontas.) The site also features information on how to get your very own franchise.
Hillside Deli, in the Market Place Shopping Center, 11121 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, has closed, a little more than a month after owner Mike Wolcott hived off from the Cici’s Pizza chain to also serve wraps, subs and salads under a new banner. William Peterson, who manages the property, said the pizza chain, citing legalities, pulled its product, and “not having the pizza was a big detriment.”
The Krystal restaurant at 1503 S. Thompson St., Springdale, is hosting the third of its three “Sample Saturday” events, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Unlike the previous two, this one is tied to an American Red Cross blood drive, but you won’t have to donate blood to get free samples of new Krystal signature menu items, including Krystal Freeze slush beverages; tiny Krystal Chiks chicken sandwiches; tiny Krystal Pups hot dogs with or without chili and/or cheese; Breakfast Scramblers; and Milk-Quakes. The restaurant phone number is (479) 717-2180 or you can visit the Web sites www. Krystalist.com and Krystal.com.
Has a restaurant opened - or closed - near you in the last week or so? Does your favorite eatery have a new menu? Is there a new chef in charge? Drop us a line. Call (501) 399-3667 or (501) 378-3513, or send a note to Restaurants, Weekend Section, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Send e-mail to:
eharrison@arkansasonline.com
This article was published Friday, July 4, 2008.
Weekend, Pages 75 on 07/04/2008
