Coming Soon: The Rail, A Pizza Company

If you care at all about historic downtown Rogers (and of course, you do), you're barely able to contain your enthusiasm about the opening of The Rail, A Pizza Company!

Proprietors David Davis and Shane Zimmerman are currently in the middle of construction progress on the building at 218 South First Street in historic downtown Rogers, right next to Iron Horse Coffee Company.  Current work includes framing, flooring, electrical, plumbing and the beginnings of some finishes.  Be sure to stop by and pester them - they'll appreciate it!

Downtown Rogers has long been in need of a fantastic pizza and beer joint, and The Rail will fit the bill.  Additionally, Davis comes from a long line of successful downtown Rogers business owners - parents Emery & Ruth have Favorite Tuxedo and Holy Orders Liturgical Threads just down the street at 228 South First Street (see an excellent recent article on both here), brother Emery Jr. has Iron Horse Coffee Company next door, and brother CJ and his wife Jennifer are the faces of Club Frisco just around the corner.  Davis has also been active in partner Holly Mang's business, Brick Street Botanical. 

Zimmerman comes from the Midland Construction family (that's him showboating in the picture on their website), adding to the track record for establishing successful businesses.  Incidentally, Midland Construction was responsible for the downtown Rogers intersection improvements this year, and wife Juli Zimmerman runs Love 'Em and Leash 'Em Canine Services.  If ever there was doubt (surely not!) that a pizza place could thrive downtown, it's because it didn't have the upbringing that The Rail has to its advantage.

Zimmerman and Davis will offer outside dining on a back patio and will serve pizzas, salads, wings and a variety of other unique dishes, as well as plenty of frosty beverages.  The pair cite the old brick walls and the flow of the space through intuitive design as some of their favorite aspects of the building.  Both are excited to offer a new place for locals to enjoy a relaxing evening with friends and family.

A select group was able to sample pizzas at Brick Street Botanical during one of the Third Friday Twilight Walks in downtown Rogers earlier this summer, and every slice was devoured like candy.  We can assure you that you're in for some excellent pizza at The Rail.

The duo is shooting for a mid-November opening, but we'll all wait patiently knowing that perfection takes time.  Their establishment will be well-run and a welcome addition to the downtown Rogers business community.  See you there!

Summer updates for Downtown Rogers residents

Happy summer, neighbors!

Isn't it great to live in historic downtown Rogers in the summer time?  Here are a few updates and reminders for you:

Fourth of July Parade - Saturday, July 3rd at 10:00 a.m.

The annual neighborhood Fourth of July parade will be on Saturday, July 3rd (that's tomorrow)!  Gather at 9:45 a.m., parade begins at 10:00 a.m.  The parade will line up in the Benton County School of the Arts parking lot off Sixth Street, just south of Poplar (the former Immanual Baptist Church).  The parade will travel south on 6th Street to Pine Street; east on Pine to 4th Street; north to Cypress; west on Cypress and north (returning to BCSA).  Refreshments and socializing will follow the parade under The Tree at Jim and Nancy Swearingen's home (412 South 6th Street, directly across from the BCSA parking lot). 

Coffee and lemonade will be served; dogs watered and delicious goodies will be consumed.  All who would like to contribute to the food table are welcome to do so - in the past, we have enjoyed cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, muffins, cookies, fruit etc.  New neighbors are introduced, guests and relatives greeted and a good time is had by all.  Returning by popular request, a band will perform on the front porch.

So... dig out your red, white and blue duds; grab a flag; decorate your bike, trike, go-cart, baby stroller, golf cart, lawn mower, spouse or dog; bring your spiffed up pick-up, convertible, Model T, Harley, horse cart, roller blades or just good old walking shoes.  WHATEVER - just come and be part of a wonderful neighborhood celebration.  We'll be looking for you and your families!

Downtown Rogers Farmers' Market

Don't forget the Downtown Rogers Farmers' Market this summer!  Stop by the corner of Arkansas and Elm on Wednesday and Saturday mornings between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. or on Monday evenings between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. for the freshest 100% homemade and homegrown fruits, vegetables, herbs and more!  Receive weekly e-updates on what's new at the market by subscribing here: http://eepurl.com/DM8t, or connect with the Rogers Farmers' Market on Twitter (www.twitter.com/RogersFarmerMkt) or Facebook (http://bit.ly/a6ufTg).

Third Friday Twilight Walks in the Rogers Historic District

Main Street Rogers presents Third Friday Twilight Walks in historic downtown Rogers, May through September, from 5:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. During these events, the merchants of the historic district host local artists, photographers, and musicians as well as promote special 3rd Friday Twilight Walk events and sales.  Each Twilight Walk is uniquely themed. The 2010 themes are:

• May 21 Celebrate the Arts
• June 18 Picnic in the Park
• July 16 Summer in the City
• August 20 Dog Days of Summer
• September 17 –Indian Summer

Other highlights include live bands and performances on the Frisco Stage; community art projects for children of all ages; street musicians, artists and crafters lining the sidewalks; loft tours of our historic downtown residences; and various local food vendors. Come and see our beautiful new intersections making downtown accessible to all and creating wonderful green spaces.

Many downtown businesses will remain open late during these special evenings. The historic district has something for everyone, including art galleries, vintage book stores, antique and flea market shops, restaurants, coffee shops, flower shops, furniture and interior design shops, a specialty quilting and fabric shop, an old-fashioned candy store, ladies clothing stores, silk floral shop, a store for engraved items and awards, the Daisy Air Gun Museum, Roger’s Little Theater, Rogers Historical Museum and more.

In conjunction with the Twilight Walks, the downtown merchants are holding Twilight Walk Raffle. Merchants have donated over $2,250.00 in gift certificates as prizes for the monthly drawings, and there is a final drawing for $500.00 cash prize in September. Ticket sales benefit the Main Street Rogers merchant association. They will be sold at most merchant locations for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

Twilight Walks offer the perfect opportunity to rediscover Historic Downtown Rogers. With great food, quality art, live music, and outstanding bargains at the stores, these events promise hours of summer fun for visitors of all ages.  Visit www.mainstreetrogers.com for more details.  Each Wed before the Twilight Walks the Morning News will be include an insert with highlights and a map!

Mark your calendar for Frisco Festival!

Don't miss THE annual event in downtown Rogers: Frisco Festival!  Mark your calendar for August 27 - 28, and visit www.friscofestival.com for all the event details!  For more information, contact Main Street Rogers at 479-936-5487.

Are you supporting downtown Rogers?

• Recruit a neighbor to downtown Rogers!  Is there a great house on the market near you?  Hand pick your neighbors - who do you know who might enjoy the life you enjoy in our special community?
• Shop downtown merchants!  Support the unique businesses that make up the backbone of our community, and tell others about them! 
• Support Main Street Rogers!  Check out their website (www.mainstreetrogers.com) for activities and events or call 479-936-5487 to find out how you can be involved!  Connect with MSR: www.twitter.com/MainStRogers or on Facebook: http://bit.ly/cs5K58
• Check out the new downtown Rogers blog: http://thewordonwalnut.blogspot.com/ and submit story/update ideas to thewordonwalnut@gmail.com.

Other ideas, comments, questions?  DowntownRogers@gmail.com. 

See you at the parade, Twilight Walk, Farmers' Market and Frisco Festival!

~ Your downtown neighbors

See you at the Twilight Walk!

It's finally time for the Third Friday Twilight Walk in historic downtown Rogers! 

Twilight Walks bring out the best in downtown Rogers.  From mingling with neighbors to kick off a laid-back summer weekend to browsing art and unique downtown shops, it's a can't miss summer engagement.  Many shops stay open late, there is foot-tapping live music playing from the Frisco stage, artists exhibit their work indoors and out and pets and kids abound.  Many downtown shops offer nibbles or even a sampling of beer and wine.

It's easy to swing by just to say hello to friends and enjoy the ambiance, but it is also important for all of us to support these downtown businesses with purchases and not just browsing.  It takes a special breed to run a downtown shop, and an even more special breed to remember to support them regularly.

This year's Third Friday Twilight Walks are scheduled from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. on May 21, June 18, July 16, August 20 and September 17.  For more information, contact Main Street Rogers (www.mainstreetrogers.com/events or 479-936-5487).  Be sure to mark your calendar and invite a friend or neighbor to join you!

See you downtown this Friday night!

Downtown Rogers Blog Debut

It's high time historic downtown Rogers had a blog of the caliber of some of our sister cities.  My dear friend Heidi Demarais launched The Word on Main Street (http://mainstreetsiloamsprings.blogspot.com/) in March 2009, and I've long been wanting to do the same for Rogers. 

A number of important business entities do a fine job of being the source for the community and outstanding resources for downtown Rogers - that's not the point of this blog.  Main Street Rogers (http://www.mainstreetrogers.com/ or 479-936-5487) is the official organization for downtown businesses, events and activities, and the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce has an outstanding business directory on its website (http://www.rogerslowell.com/ or 479-636-1240).  Those are the very best sources for official information, along with the City of Rogers (http://www.rogersarkansas.com/ or 479-621-1117).

However, if you care about the vibe of downtown Rogers, the word among downtown residents, the freshness of the Farmers' Market or the reason so many people are starting to understand that it's a very special place to live, raise a family, open a business or visit for something a little unique and off the main roads, this is the place for you. 

Send your comments, observations, suggestions and feedback to thewordonwalnut@gmail.com, and keep on supporting historic downtown Rogers, Arkansas!