Association wants people to ‘Rediscover Downtown’

The Downtown Association of Hot Springs, Hot Springs Metro Partnership and Visit Hot Springs on Wednesday

announced the launch of an online campaign focused on getting people to “Rediscover Downtown Hot Springs.”

HotSpringsDowntown.com is designed to encourage residents and visitors alike to view downtown Hot Springs as a year-round destination for shopping, dining and events. The site also seeks to showcase the area as an ideal location for residential living and business development, the organizations said in a news release.

“The Downtown Association of Hot Springs, formerly known as the Downtown Merchants Association, changed its name to better match its mission. Our group is dedicated to supporting the preservation of the historic buildings and promoting the businesses and organizations operating in the area,” association President Paul Lynch, owner of State & Pride Provisions Co., a downtown clothing and gift store, said in the release.

The theme of the website is “Rediscover Downtown Hot Springs” and focuses on four major downtown activities: eat, play, shop and work, the release said.

“The features on the website include easy navigation to get information about merchants of all types and a comprehensive listing of events happening in the downtown area,” said 61 Celsius owner Stephanie Alderdice, who also designed the website. The new site was built and will be maintained by the Hot Springs communications firm, it said.

In the coming months, the site will feature sponsored content and premium listings for association members, according to Alderdice.

“Downtown Hot Springs has seen an increase in development since the Majestic Hotel fire in early 2014. The historic downtown district has had 65 new stores open and $60 million in capital investment,” Cole McCaskill, vice president of economic development for the Hot Springs Metro Partnership, said in the release.

“While many in Arkansas are familiar with Hot Springs’ larger tourist attractions, the hope is that by promoting the variety of shops, restaurants, and nightly events, the area will become a destination for casual leisure visits in addition to vacations,” he said.

The association has over 50 members, who represent most of the businesses in downtown Hot Springs. Individuals can join, and businesses do not have to be located in downtown to be members. However, voting privileges are reserved for members located in the Hot Springs Thermal Fire Basin District, the release said.