Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Pair of Bentonville businesses closing
In the shadow of downtown revitalization, two staple businesses in Northwest Arkansas will close their doors in the days before Christmas.
The Farmers Exchange in Bentonville has acted as a gathering place for farmers and gardeners for more than 50 years, while Poor Richard’s in Rogers has connected art lovers with local artists for nearly a decade.
Owners of both businesses say redevelopment of the downtown areas plays a role in their closings.
FARMERS EXCHANGE
A marquee hanging on the brick side of the Farmers Exchange at 409 S.W. A St. reads, “Lost Lease, store closing, Dec. 23.”
A few feet away carved initials dating back as far as the 1970s fill a wood doorframe.
Store employee Rebecca Christians points to her initials on the frame as the smell of feed and fertilizer escapes through the door. It is surrounded by scribbling of others, who sometimes list where they came from. Colorado, Arizona and Kansas are few of those locations.
“Gene – I worked here, 1974,” is etched into a wood pocket door.
A metal Coca-Cola sign peeks down from the rafters of the building that opened in 1939. It was built into the roof, Christians said. The building opened as a grocery store and then turned into a
feed store in 1957, she said.
Christians said she was a customer of the store before becoming an employee.
“It has been a gathering place for farmers,” Christians said. “This place means a lot for me. This is stuff that is irreplaceable.”
Butch Hall sets aside a piece of wood he has been fiddling with and settles into the seat behind his desk. Hall has been managing the Farmers Exchange for several years.
“I know my people, I know their name, I know what they buy and I order things for them,” Hall said. “We are not a big box store. The personal business is going to go away.”
The customers of the store are diverse, Hall said. Many downtown workers and residents come to the store for garden supplies, pet food or items such as wind chimes, he said. Farmers come for supplies and feed.
POOR RICHARD’S
A glass storefront gives downtown passers- by a glimpse into the swirl of colors inside Poor Richard’s at 101 W. Walnut St. Glass-work, pottery, paintings and other artwork fill the walls and fixtures of the store.
A sign hangs from the door reading, “Building is being sold, last day of business December 24.”
Images of birds fill fabric tapestries that hang behind about 16 artists gathering together at the shop on Thursday. The group has assembled to say their goodbyes before the store closes.
Someone struggles to figure out the panoramic option on a cellphone for a photo of the group. Joking and teasing persist as the group waits.
“Remember this is a Christmas photo, not a mug shot,” someone shouts.
Between 30 to 40 artists from Northwest Arkansas and southwest Missouri show work in the store, said Bill Schoop, owner. Each of the artists volunteers at least once a month — others once a week — he said.
“The really hard part about closing is the community of artists we have formed,” Schoop said. “We are like a family. It is a very close-knit group of people.”
Gail Howard of Rogers straightened a small painting in a stand while volunteering last week. She has been selling pottery in the shop since it opened nine years ago. Glass shelves behind her showcase a series of her pieces, which often feature frogs.
“It has been a great experience selling pottery here,” Howard said. “It is rewarding when people see your work.”
Chuck and Mary Radtke have been shopping at Poor Richard’s for years.
“A lot of our kids and grandchildren get their jewelry from here as birthday, Christmas and anniversary gifts,” Chuck Radtke said. “Besides it being local, we love the quality and the price.”
Mary Radtke said she has enjoyed visiting the store. She said it feels like stepping into an art gallery.
“It has been a highlight of downtown,” Chuck Radtke said.
CHANGING TIMES
The exchange is one of 15 businesses that cater to farmers in Northwest Arkansas under The Farmers Coop umbrella, said Jay Carter, Farmers Co-op CEO. He said the exchange was purchased by the co-op about four years ago.
Carter said the owners of the building have decided to end the lease for The Farmers Exchange.
“They have another business in mind,” Carter said.
However, Randy Lawson, owner of the building, said it was Carter’s decision to end the lease. The lease has been extended for the company several times and would have been again, he said.
The Farmers Co-op sold the building to Lawson in June 2012, Lawson said.
“We wouldn’t have turned them out,” Lawson said. “I remember as a little boy going and picking up stuff there with my grandfather.”
A three- to four- month lease extension was sent to Carter, Lawson said. It would have been extended longer if Carter needed more time, Lawson said.
Lawson said Carter decided to extend the lease to the end of 2015.
“We have a difference of opinion,” Carter said. “He is a nice guy. He has been good to work with over the years. He is a businessman; he thinks he has an opportunity, and like all good businessman, he should take that opportunity.”
Carter said it is disappointing that the business has to move. Yet, he understands.
“Downtown is progressing and heading in a different direction,” Carter said. “We don’t like that we have to move, but we won’t hold back progress either because we all win. But I do want our customers to understand that it was the fact that our lease was not renewed.”
Schoop said he decided to close Poor Richard’s after learning the building in which the store is located is up for sale. The uncertainty of the lease along with personal reasons helped him make his decision, he said.
“I want to spend more time with my daughter. I want to play more golf,” Schoop said.
Many of the artists are getting older as well, Schoop said.
“Our oldest artist here is 95 years old, and she is in here twice a month,” Schoop said. “Some of them just can’t do it anymore.”
A call to the owner of the building, Terry McConnell, went unanswered.
Schoop said it was surprising to learn about the sale.
“We are not bitter,” Schoop said. “Shocked, yes, but not bitter. We know there are going to be better opportunities for downtown. Anytime you have changes like we have downtown, there will be growing pains.”
Schoop said he hopes a revitalization of the arts community will happen with the changes.
“Newer, younger people need to get involved in the arts and promoting the arts,” Schoop said. “Most people doing and loving art have been older. We need new blood, new ideas, new opportunities.”
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
Downtowns in Northwest Arkansas have seen a shift in interest in recent years. Downtown plans meant to spur growth have been a focus of city officials. Springdale approved its downtown master plan earlier this week. Fayetteville, Siloam Springs, Bentonville and Rogers already have approved plans.
Dana D. Davis, CEO and President of Bentonville Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce, said business is expanding in downtown Bentonville.
“Space on the square itself is at a premium,” Davis said. “You are seeing some movement off the square itself. There is growth in the arts district and market district. Business is moving out and impacting a larger and larger region.”
The Farmers Exchange sits off the square in what is known as the arts district.
“It is important to the communities to have that downtown,” Davis said. “It doesn’t just support the downtown. It is valuable to the whole.”
Steve Cox, Rogers Lowell Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President of Economic Development, said a lot of activity has started in downtown Rogers after the downtown plan was approved earlier this year.
“It is great to see empty businesses being sold and repurposed,” Cox said. “It is always exciting to see new businesses opening in downtown. We are seeing new generations coming in and spurring the growth.”
Daniel Hintz, Velocity Group owner, said downtowns evolve. He said this is what they are meant to do.
“Well- designed downtowns are very resilient,” Hintz said. “What happens inside those buildings are a part of the evolution. There are different uses that happen in those buildings over time.”
Suburban retail centers can sometimes be fixed and have trouble evolving, Hintz said.
“Single-use buildings are just tough, they are fixed and fragile,” Hintz said. “Well-designed downtowns were built to be flexible and responsive to the natural evolution of the market.”
Consumer demand change and populations shift, Hintz said. New businesses replacing older businesses is a part of the evolution story, he said.