DOWNTOWN REPORTER
Volume 4 April 2020
Pine Bluff Downtown Development, Inc.
If we can be of assistance or provide information, we are here for you. Give us a call at 870.536.8742 or email [email protected] or [email protected].
Shop Locally
Support Local
Restaurants and Businesses

The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pine Bluff Small Business Association have provided a list of local restaurants with information regarding their times of operation, take out, delivery or whether temporarily closed. This list can be found at jeffersoncountyalliance.com or pinebluffsba.org. Two restaurants also open are Unique Cakes by Miss Margaret and Simplee's Barbeque. Please share this newsletter so other friends and family members can also be informed.

Governor Asa Hutchinson has announced that restaurants will be allowed to reopen on May 11, 2020. Customer capacity will be limited to 33% and social distancing guidelines must be followed.

Arkansas Ready for Business Grant Program

Govenor Asa Hutchinson, Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission has established a grant program to assist businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The program will provide direct grants to companies for expenses associated with ensuring the health and safety of employees and patrons. The program will utilize federal funds provided to the State of Arkansas through the CARES Act. Applications will be accepted beginning at 5:00 p.m. CST April 29, 2020. For more information refer to their website ARKANSASEDC.com

Additional grant opportunities can be found on these two additional websites:
reopenmainstreet.com and can follow on Facebook
www.savesmallbusiness.com
Streetscape Continues on Main Street
Thank you Wil Jenkins for the fantastic pictures of the Streetscape progress.
Sweet Potato Distribution for U.S. Census 2020
To promote the 2020 Census, the city of Pine Bluff will be distributing free sweet potatoes on Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the parking lot of the Arts and Science Center located at 701 S. Main Street.

Citizens may collect a bag of sweet potatoes by completing the Census online in the parking lot. WiFi will be available for those with their own devices, iPads will be provided for those needing a device.

During the distribution, precautions against COVID-19 will be implemented to protect the health and safety of the public, including social distancing.

The 2020 Census is available online at www.my2020census.gov to complete the Census form.
Virginia Granite Discovered Under Main Street Demolition
Thanks to research by Deborah Moon-Taylor of Moon Monument Company, Inc., this granite found under the pavement on Main Street may be an old Ebony Mist from many, many years ago. It would have been quarried out of Virginia so it would also be known as Virginia Mist. This type of granite is used for both interior and exterior applications including floors, walls, monuments, fountains and pools. It can be processed into Polished, Sawn Cut, Sanded, Rockfaced, Sandblasted and Tumbled. It is hoped the old granite can be incorporated into the new Streetscape design to preserve a bit of history.
While public service buildings are closed to the public, most have websites and/or Facebook pages for information and activities. Some retail businesses are open. Allowing for social distancing, call ahead to see what protocals are being followed before traveling to their site.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO
COME DOWNTOWN


Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library : www.pineblufflibrary.org 870.534.4802 200 E. 8th Avenue

PBJC Historical Museum: Open Wednesday - Friday 10:00 - 4:00
www.pbjchistory.org 870.541.5402
201 East 4th Avenue


Arkansas Railroad Museum : Open Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 - 2:00. www.ArkansasRailroadMuseum.org
870.535.8819 1700 Port Road


The Arts & Science Center: Open Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 5:00, Saturday 10:00 - 4:00. www.asc701.org 870.536.3375
701 South Main Street

Pine Bluff Art League : Paintings by local artist are on display in the atrium and hallways of the Donald D. Reynolds Building located at 211 W. 3rd Avenue. The Art League meets the first Sunday of each month. Visitors are welcome.

Pine Bluff Aquatic Center: 400 E. 11th Ave. Mon.- Fri. 6am- 8pm, Sat. 8am-5pm, Sun. 1pm-5pm 870.850.7620
www.cityofpinebluff.com/aquatics
Swim-Play-Exercise Fun for all.

In addition to each facilities' website, check out the TOWN CRIER section of the Pine Bluff Commercial

LOOKING FOR
BREAKFAST/LUNCH COME DOWNTOWN


Indigo Blue Coffeehouse 212 W. Barraque Street
870.210.4120 or 870.718.5330

Miss Margaret's Unique Cakes 214 W. Barraque Street
870.592.0328

Lucky's Café 310 E. 5th Avenue
870.534.2825

RJ's Sports Grill 1 28 Main Street
870.850.7887

Rich's Burgers 102 N. Walnut Street 870.536.6950

Off the Grill 1219 Main Lunch Wed - Fri. 11:00 a.m.

Subway 1620 S. Main (Newly renovated)
870.535.4782

AFTER WORK ENTERTAINMENT

Hot Rods 201 S. Main Street
Wed. Blues Open Mic Night 870.534.2066

RJ's Sports Grill 128 Main Street
870.850.7887

Colonial Steak House 111 W. 8th
870.536.3488

Off the Grill 1219 Main Street
Wed/Thurs closes at 8:00 p.m.
Friday closes at 9:00 p.m.
Saturday closes at 10:00 p.m.
DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES
Southeast Engravers 208 W. Barraque 870.536.3347
Awards, trophies, plaques, signs, banners, glass and jewelry engraving
D Virtuous Divas 102 S. Main 870.674.7666
Women's clothing
Uptown Salon & Boutique 204 S. Main 877.715.0393
Massage, hair, nails, pedicures, facials and more - gift boutique
Burts Food Court & Events Center 209 S. Main 870.568.6382 (Contact Jan)
Kelly & Stone CPA 220 S. Main 870.534.8104
Pop's Barbershop 301 S. Main 870.536.7677
Simmons Bank 501 Main Street 870.541.1000
Shoe Express 502 S. Main 870.535.8454 Monday - Friday 10:00 - 5:00
New shoes & boots, men's clothing, hats and shoe repair
FBT Bank & Mortgage 716-B S. Main 870.201.3044 Neighborhood Loan Office
Pine Bluff Title Company 728 S. Main 870.536.4943
Smith Barber Institution 1218 S. Main 870.626.4556
Man Cave Cigars 1520 S. Main 870.663.0955 Closed Tuesdays
Country Chic Chocolate Company 1522 S. Main 501.590.1216 Open: 11 - 2