Smiling Jack’s moving to Fayetteville Athletic Club
After two years in the downtown Fayetteville area, local restaurant Smiling Jack’s Fresh Foods will be moving from its location on Spring St. into the space currently occupied by Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe inside Fayetteville Athletic Club next month.
The new location inside FAC on Zion Rd. will more than double the size of the restaurant, according to Smiling Jack’s owner Jack Stewart.
“We are growing into a new, larger location with better facilities and more capacity to serve more people,” Stewart told us. “We’re going from 900 square feet to about 1,800 square feet inside, with about 3,000 square feet available on the rooftop.”
“With our new facilities, we have the capability to expand our menu and our catering services,” Stewart said.
Bob Shoulders, owner of the Fayetteville Athletic Club says he thinks Smiling Jack’s will be a good fit for the space inside FAC.
“We’re very excited to have a local restaurant like Smiling Jack’s at the club. We think it is a great opportunity to provide our members with the fantastic, healthy lunch options available there,” Shoulders said.
Smiling Jack’s will close their Spring St. location on Wednesday, Dec. 23, and spend the holidays moving into their new location. Stewart expects the restaurant to re-open inside the Fayetteville Athletic Club on Monday, Jan. 4.
Comments
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TennisGuy
December 21, 2009
Hope it works out. Camille’s suffered from irregular hours (maybe dictacted by the club) and never took advantage of the roof area. So this is a complete relocate, not a 2nd location? Wonder how much parking vs foot traffic played a hand in this?
Milton
December 21, 2009
Happy for Jack and the opportunity it provides, but, I’m 100% bummed.
MM
December 21, 2009
Must be cheaper rent. Leaving dickson sounds like a bit of a hail mary… That’s where all the action is, look at how hammontrees has performed in its first months.
Milky
December 22, 2009
Man, I kinda hate this. I’m really not going to be driving all the way to FAC for a Smilin’ Jacks sandwich…
Infidel
December 22, 2009
This kind of sucks. With FAC’s financial instability, this move would make me very nervous as a business owner. They’ll have more room, but will they have more customers? I don’t know. Best of luck, though. I love that place.
FrowningJacks
December 23, 2009
Lame.
Sorry
December 23, 2009
I’ll just stay at home and make sandwiches for my family and my neighbors for the same price as a sandwich at that place.
Dickson Disaster
December 23, 2009
Yet another Fayetteville funky establishment either having to close or move away from Dickson St. Does anyone else not see a trend here? Please fight to Keep Fayetteville Funky!
Zapp Brannigan
December 24, 2009
If a bunch of businesses move out because rent is too high, and storefronts stay empty because rent is too high, rent prices would necessarily start correcting themselves at some point.
The immediate situation sucks though, I loved Smiling Jack’s. Their new location is on my way home from work so for me it is not a total loss.
cbtrumb
December 27, 2009
Smiling Jacks reminds me of a place where new mothers can all go and talk about their children over a bland-ass pita sandwich. The place was overpriced and underwhelming.
yrfuneralmytrial
December 27, 2009
Gotta agree CB. I liked the atmosphere, concept and staff but it was too expensive to eat lunch there.
Sorry
December 27, 2009
@CB. Nailed it.
bob @ fac
December 28, 2009
FAC loves the fit with jack’s healthy options; expanding menu options and hours to fit with FAC’s traffic should benefit both of these locally owned businesses. As to the cost variable, some folks “get” the healthy, organic concept and are willing to pay a slight premium for it. We look forward to the continued support from the Fayetteville community.
fool me once...
December 28, 2009
I encourage everyone to ask questions about where this “local and organic” produce etc. comes from…last time I checked Sam’s club didn’t count as “local produce” right?
Dan-O
December 28, 2009
One thing is for sure at least you will not have to worry about getting towed from F.A.C. . I went to the FIX recently for a christmas party and two hours later returned to my truck only to find it had been towed. I parked in the BIG HUGE church parking lot behind Jose’s where I have parked so many times in years past. My truck was towed only a few blocks away at a cost of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS I’m not sure who’s christmas was better , the church(praise the lord for there parking lot)or the towing company but it sure ****ed up my christmas.
P.S. Happy New Year to the CHURCH and it’s legalized theft partner the towing company!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry
December 28, 2009
@bob@fac Those of us who do pay more for local and organic, for the most part, don’t fall for Jack’s product.
bob @ fac
December 29, 2009
“falling for” implies some form of deception on smiling jack’s part. you can’t buy everything at farmers’market 12 months out of the year in nwa.
jack offers a product and like other businesses (for the most part), he stays open based upon consumers buying it or not. staying home is an option if you don’t feel the price is justified.
fool me once
December 29, 2009
I think there IS some “form of deception” if you advertise as “local and natural” but sell food from Sam’s club year round. And last time I checked “homemade” didn’t mean straight out of the can…just sayin’.
The food at Jack’s is fine and even good…but not natural or local or priced accordingly.
Donkeylips
December 31, 2009
And people wonder why so many restaurants fail in Fayetteville
Dude
December 31, 2009
With a very large THANKS to the city of fayetteville and a large number of Dickson street neighbors , those of us who are 35 and older and have lived here for the whole time have said goodbye to Dickson street long ago and mark my words, if somebody does’nt pull there heads out REAL SOON then we will be saying AUDIOUS to BIKES BLUES and BBQ In the near future ! ! ! !
Mark_Landry
December 31, 2009
AUDIOUS… is that like a couple of stereos from the audio aisle?
Or maybe adios? (which I would like to be able to say to all the festivals that start w/ BBBBBB and end with burned meat)
Dude
January 1, 2010
OH NO look out everybody , it’s one of them , PLEASE join me in saying “THANKS MARK”
Dude
January 1, 2010
Next time you want to make fun of somebody why dont you have a look in the mirror !!!!!
burgerboy
January 1, 2010
I don’t really know what Dude is trying to say, but I think he wishes more bars for grownups existed on Dickson.
The students have taken ovah? Eh, I think Dickson should be mostly about people who are under 35. People over 35 maybe shouldn’t be all drinking and carousing down on the college strip o’ bars. At least not with great frequency.
Thats just my opinion. I’m sure Dude don’t like it.
If Bikes Blues and BBQ moved to Fort Smith, I’d consider that a win-win.
burgerboy
January 1, 2010
Not that this is entirely relevant, but in my experience, the only thing worse than a stupid person is a drunk stupid person.
And the only thing worse than that is an angry drunk stupid person.
I wonder if West Ave Kathy has any thoughts.
Dude
January 4, 2010
And there you have words of wisdom by burger”BOY”
brad
January 4, 2010
There’s one unhappy dude, right there.
Mullva
January 4, 2010
@Dude – your never going to win against the boy!
I have another tidbit to add to the Smiling Jack’s story.
I work in the suburbs (Rogers-Bentonville) and they closed the Camille’s in our office building as well. A little different audience, but they couldn’t make it work selling only breakfast and lunches. Not enough business to keep it open once everyone heads back downtown after work!
Dude
January 4, 2010
Hey Mullva , thanks for the heads up but I figure the BOY hung himself when he sort of hinted that everyone over 35 should just go ahead and crawl into the grave while the younger generation enjoys what there elders have made avalible , you gotta admit thats messed up . In my world age, color, origin, spirituality etc. etc. doesnt make one beter than the other…..
Dude
January 4, 2010
OH and Brad, thanks for your concern but I couldnt be happier…L.O. VERY L.
burgerboy
January 4, 2010
Dude:
I think the strict “No Old Fogies Over 35″ policy that the bars on Dickson have put into place is a good thing. Nay, a GREAT thing.
No more dirty Depends in the bathroom of all the chic, young hang outs. No more old people smell. No more people talking about how groovy the 70s were.
Now if only we could enforce it with something saltier than billyclubs. I’m sure the bad old City of Fayetteville will allow deadly force soon.
Isn’t there a bar at Butterfield Trail Village you could go to?
Craig
January 5, 2010
Dude, I’m on your side.
Could you clue me in: do you see Dickson St. merchants leaving for cheaper rents elsewhere?
Dude
January 5, 2010
Yes ,CRAIG you are right, in order to keep merchants on Dickson the rent will have to be kept at a competitive rate , but also there is a HUGE parking issue and I have to believe that those who think like the “BOY” there are a large problem in there own.
SOLUTION:Lower the rent, build a parking garage, and throw the “BOYS” to the bottom of the septic tank,(nothing personal just a suggestion)
Dude
January 5, 2010
Oh yes ,did I mention I am working on getting the “BOYS” last comment printed in the Fayetteville weekly. I’m thinking that will help him in his Quest to rid dickson street of the dreeded fogie and also help us find out which of the bars hold this policy . Do you agree , that would be a good thing. Nay, a great thing ?
Craig
January 5, 2010
Thanks, Dude.
Many of the bars I see at night need patrons, so no matter how much burgerboy wants to keep it college aged, Dickson needs customers.
But I’m still catching up: why aren’t the parking lots more welcoming of people who go to spend money on Dickson st.? Say, why don’t the merchants get together and push for free parking lots? (Then, if necessary, kick back something for the increase in customers.)
I’m fairly new here (obviously!).
Dude
January 5, 2010
Craig, I’m not a merchant. I,m just an ole fogie who grew up here and I DO LOVE FAYETTEVILE and it seems to me to be a no brainer and YOU my friend are on the right track. Its going to take a lot of work but if ALL the merchants would stick and work togather then there could be a solution to keeping DICKSON ST. “FUN”ky for everyone.
P.S. you say you are new here and to that I say WELCOME TO GOD’S COUNTRY !!!!!
burgerboy
January 5, 2010
@Dude:
Oooohh…. I get it.
THE CITY is charging too…high…..rent..on Dickson.
Gotcha.
THE CITY is somehow dictating what kind of bars and restaurants open up on Dickson and whether or not semi-literate middle-aged people enjoy them or not.
I get it now. Thanks for the explanation.
Watch out for dem billyclub swinging bouncers. Buy some skinny jeans, and maybe nobody will notice you.
Dude
January 5, 2010
NO boy, obviously through your own words, you DON’T get it which leads me to believe it’s WAY over your head. OH NO ,do you here that ??? Recess is over. Time for you to get back to class.
OH and GET THAT DIAPER CHANGED,,,,, you’er stinkin up the place,,,,,
Innarested Observer
January 5, 2010
Gotta say, boy, your ageist prejudice is kinda lame. Last I checked my money is as good as anyone else’s. And there ain’t a sign outside that says “must be this tall to ride” (lucky for you) or another that says “Crusty ones, don’t come aroun’ here no mo’”
Seriously, man. If it’s a joke, it isn’t funny. If you’re serious… lame.
Dude
January 5, 2010
Well said observer !!!!! Let’s put the B.S. aside,meet on dickson,have a cool tube of amber brew and enjoy some “FUN”ky time……
Craig
January 5, 2010
Count me in!! Old farts unite!
If we see burgerboy we won’t even lift a finger. We’ll just tell the merchants on Dickson that he’s trying to scare away everyone over 30. They’ll kick his *ss while we drink our brews in peace.
burgerboy
January 5, 2010
Wow.
Turns out these old people on here really are stupid, and that makes me kinda sad.
I think I’ll go listen to some Randall Shreve and drown my sorrows with a few $4.00 beers.
Craig
January 5, 2010
Sorry, I shouldn’t have used profanity.
burgerboy
January 5, 2010
And Dude, good luck finding out which bars hold policies against the “dreeded fogie”. You’ll never find out.
Its a secret club of young hipsters (mostly wealthy) who know the list.
And the technology is a lot like those Buffalo Wild Wings commercials where the boss shows up and everybody hides. You just THINK the bars are closed.
Ironically, Buffalo Wild Wings doesn’t employ this technology itself, and thusly suffers from the plague of the nearly dead. They let fat people in, too.
Better yet, why not just skip Dickson altogether and go to Buffalo Wild Wings. Plenty of free parking there.
David Franks
January 5, 2010
Dude–
In the “age versus youth” contention you have invented between yourself and burgerboy, I must rule that you come across as the more juvenile– you write like a twerp kid.
Dickson Street has a close relationship with the University, so businesses keep evolving to attract young patrons. Most of the respect for older patrons– and much of the appeal to many of them– disappeared with The Dream Merchant, Roger’s Rec and the Holsum slightly-used bread store. Jose’s has changed hands, and not for the better.
By all means, people who wish to should patronize businesses on Dickson Street– they’ll be glad to have your money. But it’s not your Dickson Street any more. I think that might be a large part of burgerboy’s point.
burgerboy
January 5, 2010
Actually, the point is that Dude seems to think there is some great conspiracy against keeping Dickson the way he likes it. He thinks the city is somehow involved, and that if we all get together we can just agree to “lower the rents” and “make all the parking lots free”.
Dickson Street is a collection of businesses and landowners. They do what every single business owner in the world does–try to maximize their profits. This goes for bars, and it goes for landlords and it goes for restauranteurs.
If there isn’t a row of Roger’s Recs anymore, its not because of a conspiracy to keep Dude and his ilk out. Its because landlords and business owners have found that other formulas provide them with higher profits and more money.
Thats just the way it works.
I learned that in high school. It amazes me that there are people out there who really have no grasp of simple economics. Of course, before one can understand economics, one must first learn to read and write.
newyearsbaby
January 5, 2010
*sigh* This entire thread is gay….and not in a good way. I wonder if I can still hang out on Dickson? My sweaters are too small, but only b/c I can’t do laundry….not b/c I’m hipster cool.
I’ll miss Smiling Jack’s, but only in the warm weather. I guess that’s probably why they had to move.
Milton
January 5, 2010
I wholeheartedly agree with newyearsbaby. Why don’t those of you who want to have *this* out here, just swap emails and have out it there, so you don’t keep junking up the rest of our inboxes.
Or, you all could meet behind the oak tree after school and put up your dukes.
It’s simple: If you like the place, keep going by when you can. If you don’t (or can’t afford it) go somewhere else.
Jack is a good dude and the staff there are amazing.
I’ll hang out with you on Dickson, newyearsbaby. I think sweaters too small are cute.
Innarested Observer
January 5, 2010
boy, you are aptly named.
Mark_Landry
January 5, 2010
This thread makes me laugh, then cry.
+1 burgerboy,
-1 anyone who took the initial “No old fogies over 35″ comment seriously.
Take a deep breath.
Calm is comfortable.
Innarested Observer
January 6, 2010
Wow, being clairvoyant must be cool. Who’s gonna win the Super Bowl?
Dude
January 6, 2010
the way I see it everyone has an opinion, as for myself I will continue with my on opinion,I will live life the way I want,I will come and go as I please when and where I want, and couldnt care less what anybody else thinks, and I will continue to do this whithout causing harm to anything or anyone else. The people I hang with are people who get along with anybody no matter how old or young no matter what color, size or shape as for the boys problem, he done that himself by taking things way out of shape and adding remarks that(Mark) dont even come close to a joke and if you havent figured it out, he is the type that all you have to do is give him the rope and he does the rest. And then there is David who wants to degrade someone because of the way they write and throw out names like “twerp kid”. Well dave these things you do makes you seem like a real jackass.
David Franks
January 6, 2010
And there you are. Dude makes my point.
Dude
January 6, 2010
Well Dave we will consider that the joke of the day since you have no point.
Dude
January 6, 2010
P.S. Dave you and boy make a cute couple.
newyearsbaby
January 6, 2010
@Milton – Awesome, thanks. I’ll at least pretend you’re there in spirit next time. Oh, and I stalked your blog…figured it was cool since you linked it. Good stuff. I share your “good riddance” to 2009.
(If this thread’s gonna get hijacked it might as well be for pleasantries instead of petty bickering. Lighten up in twinky-ten.)
Innarested Observer
January 6, 2010
I want my daddy’s records.
jackisclairesbrother
January 6, 2010
wow- i thought this thread was about smilin’ jack’s moving? as newyearsbaby says, since it’s already hijackd… it’s interesting to read the dude/burgerboy flame war. back to the jack’s-dickson discussion: burgerboy has a point to dude- the city has very little impact on businesses surviving/thriving on dickson- they have NO input on rent being offered. do people seriously think that the city can lower rent on privately owned buildings? are you advocating the city subsidizing the building owners to help make their mortgage payment to whomever owns the note/lien? people always seem to blame parking on dickson but if you have a product that meets a market need, parking will not get in the way of people coming to partake.
if you read the sales tax records, you can work backwards into smilin’ jack’s sales numbers and they are not very good. not enough to pay expenses & come out very far ahead at the end of the month. his product seems to be OK but the experiment has shown that a quasi-organic/local sandwich shop 1/2 block off dickson offering his product/price mix doesn’t work. ok- move on- he will probably do better at FAC.
i predict that there will be a cool bar go into smilin’ jack’s space off dickson and it will KILL there! if you get the right product to the right market then you will be successful. look at 21st amendment, smoke & barrel, brewski’s, crown pub, bordino’s bar & rest- all very successful. now look at shotz, buster bellies, zooloo’s, 4-14, gullett’s, tony-c’s, yadda yadda- not successful. why? have you been to all these and can you compare and contrast? it’s not that hard- understand the marketplace & have a good business operator- there’s no ‘conspiracy’ in fayetteville. only economics & a changing marketplace.
has anyone on this board been to benton county lately? i live in fayetteville and have spent 15 of my last 20 years here between college & working (i’m 40). i work for a technology company that sells to WMT up the road and i spend a lot of time up there. rogers & bentonville have completely flipped the economic table on fayetteville and no one here seemed to notice. the discretionary income/economic center of spending moved north over the past 12 years and it’s not coming back. the U of A is the only commanding presence in Fay-town and the students drive the dickson street market. back in the old days- walmart was under the radar, they were out of step with corporate pay (other than a very small club of associates) and all the vendors flew in to service them and left. now walmart is undeniably one of the most successful global companies of the past 50 years, the vendors all moved to rogers/bville and their buying power dwarf’s the 17000 u of a students. sorry fayetteville, i love you but you will become more and more like eureka springs & less of a NWA power. thank the Lord for the U of A. WAC will be a sideshow to Crystal Bridges- maybe, in a weird way, this will come full circle and DUDE will get Lily’s, ROTC, The Grill and all the other old haunts back.
mpetty
January 6, 2010
There’s nothing like sticking to an opinion in spite of the facts.
Consider this yet another request for burgerboy to run for City Council. There have been so many people suggest it, we’re going to need an acronym for it.
Milton
January 7, 2010
Wow, what a compliment and thanks for reading, newyearsbaby. Yeah, 2009 can go right on ahead and stick its tongue to a metal pole on an arctic day like today. I mean, there were some ‘09 perks. For me, Smiling Jack’s was one of them, actually. I feel like I should know ya, newyearsbaby. Think we’d be pals.
Anyway, best to Smiling Jack’s and to all of you in TwentyTen. Cool.
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