The tragic Majestic Hotel fire 10 years ago has turned into a galvanizing source for a wave of new investment and business growth that downtown needed. In the past decade, 222 new businesses have opened downtown and $165 million has been invested into the downtown area.
“The new business and investment activity in 2023 was at an all-time high with 27 new businesses opening and over $28 million in capital investment,” said Cole McCaskill, Vice President of Economic Development at the Hot Springs Metro Partnership. “Bathhouse Row is vibrant. The sidewalks are full of people. Over the past few years, even the outskirts of downtown have filled with new life. The Ouachita Avenue area is alive thanks to new restaurants, bars and retail stores.”
In 2023, the southern end of downtown was redeveloped and what was recently a mostly vacant, quiet block is now the talk of the town – all because of the vision of developer Rusty Thompson.
Thompson bought six buildings in the 900 block of Central Avenue, redeveloped them and attracted some of the most buzzed-about new businesses downtown.
Don’s Southern Social was the first new business added to the block. A highly anticipated speakeasy-themed restaurant and bar, Don’s serves traditional Southern dishes that incorporate new flavors from chef Joshua Garland’s culinary journey. Entrances to the restaurant are hidden and a password is required for entry. Reservations are highly encouraged, and it’s become popular for date nights.
The Ouachita Bar and Grill is the second new restaurant added to the 900 block. The more casual, relaxed atmosphere matches owners Rob and Tiah Koller’s desire to entertain guests. The OBG’s large outdoor patio on Central Avenue hosts live music during the day and night, and with delicious barbecue and burgers, it has become one of the busiest hangouts in town.
These two exciting new restaurants have changed the complexion of downtown’s southern end, bringing new people to patronize buildings that had long been vacant.
New retail and service businesses opened in the block as well: Lazy One, a store that offers pajamas, sleepwear and other related fun items opened, and Mirror Mirror Salon and Small’s Barbershop joined Pale Horse Tattoo on the block.
More significant additions are slated for the southern end of downtown later this year including a new Hampton Inn set to break ground at 830 Central Avenue and more new businesses committed to opening soon.
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