Big Whiskey’s closing in Little Rock’s River Market causes concern

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- If you’re ever around downtown Little Rock’s River Market you may have noticed a growing number of vacant buildings. Over the last few years, plenty of restaurants and businesses have closed.

Big Whiskey’s is the latest to join that list, but Ward 1 City Director Virgil Miller Jr. said they are confident that the doors on the space won’t stay shut for long.

“Anytime a business closes it’s not something that we like but business comes and goes,” Miller said.

Gabe Holmstrom with the Downtown Little Rock Partnership said there’s a life cycle to every business and while some will leave it won’t stop the river market from growing.

“I have no doubt that new operators are going to use that opportunity to move in to try their concept,” Holmstrom said.

He said there are a lot of optimistic things to look forward to on the horizon.

Miller agrees but said it’s not only about getting those spaces filled but having a community that keeps the businesses inside going.

“When we support the businesses that are there, guess what? They stay in business,” Miller said.

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