Local entrepreneurs
Among all the holiday excitement last month, there were two new golfthemed venues that opened in Little Rock. Most everyone is familiar with the grand opening of Topgolf at the edge of town, the site of heavy equipment for months that was flattening a once-wooded hillside and is now home to a nationwide franchise. But people are less familiar with the new indoor disc golf facility that opened earlier in the month downtown. The owners at Perks and Re-creation have spent the past few years building their disc golf shop in the Sterling Building on Capitol Avenue downtown and helping to expand the sport in central Arkansas. And with the opening of their nine-hole indoor disc golf course on the second story above their shop, they have created a new downtown destination for disc-golf enthusiasts and novices alike.
My family and I visited last month to try out disc golf for the first time and while we certainly will not be going pro anytime soon, it was such a fun evening activity with the most friendly and helpful staff. Afterwards, we enjoyed dinner a few blocks away and explored downtown.
Topgolf and Perks and Re-creation provide a clear example of the divergent thought of what Little Rock “needs.” On one hand, a sprawling expensive franchise fad built on the edge of town where a forest once stood. And on the other hand, a locally owned venue downtown, filling the space of a previously vacant space and that provides an inexpensive but fun experience in the heart of the city all while supporting surrounding local businesses.
Little Rock needs more Perks and Re-creation startups and less Topgolf mega projects. Our city has to get past the idea that some huge franchise opening a location in west Little Rock is a sign of success. A thriving city is one full of local entrepreneurs, with an active city core and the leadership and policies that recognize these priorities. I don’t see myself making my way out to Topgolf to spend a small fortune anytime soon, but I will definitely be back to Perks and Re-creation again to play a few holes with family and friends.
MASON ELLIS Little Rock