North Little Rock City Council members have approved the establishment of the city’s second entertainment district, known as the Park Hill Entertainment District. This district will allow patrons of Hogg’s Meat Market to take alcoholic beverages purchased at the restaurant outside to a designated area surrounding the building on JFK Boulevard. The district, which covers 1.5 acres on the west side of JFK Boulevard, will also offer activities such as live music, Baggo, and a pickleball court.
Hogg’s Meat Market, a three-generation family business that originally opened in 1963, relocated to a newly constructed building on JFK Boulevard in March 2022. Business owner Peggy Hogg has expressed interest in expanding the district in the future. Council member Debi Ross mentioned the possibility of including more businesses across the boulevard in the district to help boost foot traffic and business in the area.
The Park Hill Entertainment District marks a significant change for the historic neighborhood, where alcohol sales were prohibited for nearly 50 years. The state Legislature passed a bill in 2019 allowing cities to create entertainment districts, with North Little Rock’s only previous district being the Argenta Outdoor Dining District. The new district aims to revitalize the area and provide patrons with a unique dining and entertainment experience.
City officials are working to address safety concerns related to the heavy road traffic on JFK Boulevard, which currently divides the entertainment district from the Lakehill Shopping Center. Plans are in place to enhance the neighborhood’s walkability through the Park Hill Jump Start Program, which includes new crosswalks and wider sidewalks. Residents can stay updated on the entertainment district’s offerings by following Hogg’s Meat Market on social media.
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Photo credit arktimes.com