Your Whispers staff brings you an update on Blackberry Market, the fast-casual restaurant planned for the former Thomason Furniture location at 315A Main St. in North Little Rock.
Peter Loibner, co-owner with his wife, Whitney Loibner, tells us they’re still hoping to open by the end of the summer. The Loibners are facing the same challenges as other businesses with supply chain holdups. Items needed for the essential HVAC system have delayed the build-out, he said.
But once those are resolved, Blackberry Market will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, with the potential to expand evening hours depending on special events. It will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner; beer, wine and drinks like mimosas and bloody marys; and feature a bakery and a coffee bar.
The 4,312-SF space has a capacity of about 140, upstairs and down, and the Loibners envision it as an event venue as well.
The Blackberry Market concept was devised by Anna and Bob Davidson, Peter Loibner’s sister and her husband, who opened the first Blackberry Market in the Chicago suburbs 10 years ago. The Davidsons, who both hail from North Little Rock, have since opened a second location in the Chicago area.
Peter Loibner has spent 18 years in different roles at Starbucks in central Arkansas. Longtime viewers of the Arkansas Educational Television Network, now known as Arkansas PBS, may remember his grandmother, Frances Pauline “Polly” Loibner, best known as “Miss Polly.” Miss Polly taught art to a generation of Arkansas schoolchildren through her AETN programs, including “Polly’s Paintbox,” “Everyday Artist,” “Art Parade,” Sketch Pad” and “Gazebo.” Miss Polly died in 2015 at the age of 94.
Peter Loibner said Blackberry Market will also offer a full catering menu. The website is argenta.blackberry.cafe.
on special events. It will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner; beer, wine and drinks like mimosas and bloody marys; and feature a bakery and a coffee bar.The 4,312-SF space has a capacity of about 140, upstairs and down, and the Loibners envision it as an event venue as well.The Blackberry Market concept was devised by Anna and Bob Davidson, Peter Loibner’s sister and her husband, who opened the first Blackberry Market in the Chicago suburbs 10 years ago. The Davidsons, who both hail from North Little Rock, have since opened a second location in the Chicago area. Peter Loibner has spent 18 years in different roles at Starbucks in central Arkansas. Longtime viewers of the Arkansas Educational Television Network, now known as Arkansas PBS, may remember his grandmother, Frances Pauline “Polly” Loibner, best known as “Miss Polly.” Miss Polly taught art to a generation of Arkansas schoolchildren through her AETN programs, including “Polly’s Paintbox,” “Everyday Artist,” “Art Parade,” Sketch Pad” and “Gazebo.” Miss Polly died in 2015 at the age of 94.Peter Loibner said Blackberry Market will also offer a full catering menu. The website is argenta.blackberry.cafe.
Sign up for Daily E-news
