Local shops, stores and restaurants thrive in Faulkner County

Local shops, stores and restaurants thrive in Faulkner County

From a one-person operation working out of a spare bedroom to a factory employing hundreds, small businesses are the backbone of the United States economy.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are about 30.7 million small businesses that provide goods and services to their communities while employing the folks who work there. The SBA defines a small business as a company with fewer than 500 employees.

In Faulkner County, most businesses are counted as small businesses and contribute to the local economy through employment, tax revenue and community involvement. Here are some ways that small businesses impact the area.

GREENBRIER

With about 150 members, the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to assist small businesses in getting started, networking and other areas, such as advertising. Dustin Chapman, president of the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce, said small businesses are important because the city has a dedicated sales tax that helps pay for area amenities, such as the fire station and a new park.

“Small businesses just do things in a way that big businesses don’t,” he said. “[People] shop local, and these local businesses will turn around and support softball teams for the kids.”

Chapman said many area businesses were able to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic by either going online only, offering pickup or by adapting their products. Ashton Pruitt, owner of Southern Savvy, a clothing boutique, started making face masks and made special T-shirts that recognized local salon owners. Since salons were shut down, one could buy a shirt dedicated to their favorite hairdresser, and the funds went to the business.

Embrace Lingerie began offering online orders. Chapman said the change allowed the business to reach other markets it couldn’t reach before.

CONWAY

With about 1,200 members, the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce works to provide networking and other services to its members.

Adena White, director of communications, said it is important to support these businesses because they keep money flowing in the community.

“They have a business here, they live here, and their kids go to school here,” she said. “Small businesses are kind of like the backbone of our economy because they’re invested in this community. They are what make our community unique.”

White said there is a wide variety of businesses in the Conway area that provide all the same products and services as big retailers, but with a personal touch that can be lost at big-box stores. White pointed out an example of The Kitchen Store and More in Conway, which offers kitchen accessories, clothing and much more. The Kitchen Store has a wedding and baby registry just like many big-box stores, but also offers Arkansas-made products and delivery.

As for adapting to COVID-19, White said many businesses and restaurants were able to begin offering delivery or curbside service. The Conway Convention and Visitors Bureau started a Facebook group called #ConwayToGo, which allowed local businesses to post their specials, share food pictures and offer other services. White said the group had more than 9,500 members.

“We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from our restaurants saying that they appreciated [the group],” she said. “Word of mouth is huge, so when someone shares something with someone else, they want to try it.”

VILONIA

LaCosta Beene, president of the Vilonia Area Chamber of Commerce, said small businesses are important to the city because almost every business in the city is one. With the exception of a couple of chain restaurants and the local Walmart, everything is locally owned.

She said that because so many businesses are locally owned, it makes the community unique. She said businesses such as El Ranchero, Pizza Pro, Sweethouse Donuts and Linda Marie’s help make a dynamic community and employ people in the community. She said businesses weren’t impacted too much by COVID-19, as they were able to adapt to curbside delivery.