Building momentum
New shopping, dining and employment options come to Conway
............................................. 4 NEW SHOPPING, DINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS COME TO CONWAY
Conway has become a bustling city over the past two decades, and its growth continues in 2017. With new shopping centers, businesses and restaurants, there are plenty of places to explore.
One of the newer developments in Conway is Lewis Crossing. This 441,871-square-foot shopping center at Interstate 40 and Dave Ward Drive has attracted some of the bigger names in the retail industry.
Lewis Crossing is anchored by Sam’s Club and is also home to PetCo, Dollar Tree, Academy Sports, Ross Dress for Less, Bed Bath and Beyond, Michael’s, Ulta, Books-aMillion and more.
Local officials said Lewis Crossing is a time-saver for residents of Conway. Residents previously had to drive to Little Rock and North Little Rock to visit these stores.
Jamie Gates, executive vice president of the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, said Lewis Crossing, added to shopping options in the Conway Commons shopping center and the future development of the Central Landing shopping center on the site of the former Conway airport, makes the city a convenient shopping destination, not only for Conway residents, but for people across central Arkansas.
“It makes Conway the common-sense place for shopping in central Arkansas,” he said. “People in central Arkansas are going to start driving north to Conway.”
For visitors, a new hotel opened this year on Bill Dean Drive. Home 2 Suites by Hilton is an extended-stay hotel that offers convenience to Conway shopping and dining. The hotel has 83 rooms, a business center, a fitness center and an indoor pool. Gates said the new hotel helps Conway tourism, especially on weekends when the city hosts youth athletic tournaments. He said having enough hotels keeps visitors from needing to find a room outside of the city and keeps tourism money in Conway.
Several new restaurants have opened or are in development, Gates said. Chipotle Mexican Grill, a fast-casual burrito restaurant, opened on Oak Street last year. Next door, Outback Steakhouse, an Australian-themed chain, is building a new location. Outback Steakhouse is currently located on Sanders Road. The new location will open Oct. 4. In Lewis Crossing, On The Border Mexican Restaurant is open, and a Red Robin burger chain is planned.
In the Conway Towne Centre on Skyline Drive, the Urban Air Trampoline Park opened this year. The Conway location is the first Arkansas location for the brand. Urban Air features a variety of play environments and activities for kids. Kids can play trampoline dodgeball, run the Urban Warrior course and much more. Urban Air can also be rented for birthday parties and corporate events.
A new exit was opened in June on Interstate 40. Gates said the new interchange, BakerWills Parkway, will help Conway residents who commute to Little Rock from the south side of the city. The exit will also help alleviate some traffic on Dave Ward Drive, he said. The parkway connects Sturgis Road in south Conway with the interstate. Gates said the exit will also help employers in south Conway, like those in the Meadows Office and Technology Park, attract employees from Little Rock and North Little Rock.
Acadia Health Care is constructing a facility in the Meadows Office and Technology Park. It will be an 80-bed, approximately 65,000-square-foot behavioral hospital that will employ about 150 people.