It’s time for an update on all the restaurant happenings around Fayetteville.
Here’s what we know about what’s opening, closing, or coming soon.
Sit & Spin
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The folks behind the transformation of Maxine’s Tap Room and the founders of Little Bread Company have a new project in the works.
Locals Hannah Withers and Ben Gitchel, along with friend A.B. Merritt, are partnering to create a new neighborhood restaurant and bar that doubles as an eco-friendly laundromat at 737 N. Leverett Ave., in the building that was once home to a Pizza Hut location.
The new place, called Sit & Spin, will offer a menu featuring traditional slider sandwiches, made-to-order miniature donuts with various toppings, and other munchable foods and eat while you wait for your laundry to wash. They also plan to serve beer.
The laundry machines will accept credit cards, and will offer patrons environmentally-friendly soaps and fabric softeners for free. The laundromat side of the business will also be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Renovation of the building has already begun, and the plan is to open sometime in early 2017.
Tandem Tacos
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There’s a new taco truck in town.
Tandem Tacos recently opened in an Airstream trailer located at the corner of West Avenue and Lafayette Avenue.
The menu includes four options for breakfast tacos, five varieties of lunch tacos, chips and salsa, and queso.
Owner Luke Penner told us one of his missions is to provide work for local folks with disabilities, and that he’s working with the Elizabeth Richardson Center to make that happen.
The truck is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
White River Cafe
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The folks behind Saddlebock Brewery have entered the restaurant business.
Owner Steve Rehbock recently opened the White River Cafe in building at 18231 Habberton Road just outside the Fayetteville city limits, across the street from his brewery.
The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, wings, appetizers, and other items, and is available via carry-out, or by ordering at the brewery across the street.
According to their Facebook page, the restaurant serves food Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday night from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Grounds at Garden Living
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The owners of Garden Living and Pigmint have opened up a coffee shop at 160 E. Joyce Blvd. suite 101 in north Fayetteville.
The shop, which shares the space with Garden Living, specializes in coffee drinks, ciders, croissants, and they also offer a different specialty cake each week.
The shop also offers outdoor seating in the courtyard area between Garden Living and Pigmint.
They officially opened for business last week, and are open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe
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Missouri-based restaurant chain Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe is coming to Dickson Street.
The restaurant, which specializes in sandwiches, pizzas, soups, salads, and apparently pickles, will be located at 412 W. Dickson St., in half of the building formerly home to Common Grounds.
The other half of that building, as far as we know, will still eventually become the Taco Bell Cantina concept operated by Fort Smith-based K-Mac Enterprises we reported earlier this year.
Pickleman’s was founded in 2005 by Doug Stritzel. The restaurant now operates 20 locations in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. According to their website, Pickleman’s offers delivery, and will stay open late until 2 a.m. at their Fayetteville location.
If all goes well, the restaurant plans to open sometime in early 2017.
Core Public House
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In case you missed our story from earlier this month, Core is working on building a new pub in east Fayetteville.
The new Core Public House is currently under construction on Mission Boulevard, just west of the Crossover Road intersection.
In addition to their regular lineup of beers and ciders, the Core pubs have been expanding their food options as well. The new location will offer appetizers and a variety of panini-style sandwiches.
According to owner Jesse Core, the new pub will open sometime in the first quarter of 2017.
Jimmy’s Egg
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There’s a new breakfast spot coming soon to north Fayetteville.
Oklahoma City-based restaurant chain Jimmy’s Egg is planning a location at 3931 N. Shiloh Dr., in the building formerly home to Kirkland’s in the Nelson’s Crossing shopping center.
The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, and most locations are open from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. The menu includes egg dishes, omelettes, waffles, pancakes, and other standard breakfast fare along with burgers, sandwiches, and lunch entrees.
If all goes well, the new place is expected to open sometime in early 2017.
Bouchee Bistro
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Bouchee Bistro recently closed its bakery on the Fayetteville square.
The restaurant, which got its start in a food truck at The Yacht Club on College Avenue, opened inside East Square Plaza in late 2013.
“It is with great sadness and vacillation that we must inform you that Bouchee has decided to close it’s doors,” states a sign posted on the window of the business. “We thank you for your patronage.”
Ruby Tuesday
Restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday closed their Fayetteville location in August.
The closure was part of the company’s plan to shutter 95 underperforming restaurants across the country. The nearby Bentonville location was also closed as part of the downsizing effort.
