Welcome to the River Market
Located in the
heart of Little Rock's River Market District,
the River Market is an
exciting public
food market that will
entice your senses with
its relaxing
entertainment and rich
cultural experiences.
Please make a selection
from the menu above.
For information about upcoming events, please click here.
What's New?
New Cooking Demo!
Saturday August 16th, 2008
River Market Cooking Club Presents Scott & Brad from the Wrought Iron Grill & Pub
9am - 11am, Bill & Margaret Clark Room (on the 3rd Floor of the River Market above Boulevard Bread Co.)
$10, paid at the door
Please call (501) 375-2552 to make reservations or email Daman.
Best Fresh Vegetables
The 2008 "Best of Arkansas" winners were recently revealed by the Arkansas Times. We'd like to thank everyone for voting us "Best Fresh Vegetables!" You also voted us Runner-up for "Best Place to See Someone Famous." The River Market Farmers' Market is every Tuesday & Saturday from 7am until 3pm.
In additon to that, two River Market Vendors also recieved some recognition. Boulevard Bread Company won "Best Bread" & "Best Gourmet To Go." And Shaka Smoke Lodge was credited with the Editor's Choice for "Best Smoked Ham."
Article appeared in the 2008 Where We Live magazine, a special publication to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. To receive your free copy of Where We Live, a guide to central Arkansas, call 501-378-3807.
A Place To Run Free
Peabody Park designed to promote imagination and discovery
Nancy Elizabeth Goodman
Special Sections Writer
Children will soon have a place to use their imaginations and feel the rush of exploring the outdoors — right in the heart of downtown Little Rock.
...
Two years ago, Dr. Dean Kumpuris, Little Rock city director and gastroenterologist, had a vision for the children of Arkansas. He had just read two books, one about playgrounds and the other about how children today no longer have places to run free and use their imaginations to their full potential. The combination of both readings inspired Kumpuris' idea — one that is coming to life in Riverfront Park.
Peabody Park is the result of a collaboration among the city of Little Rock, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and The Peabody Hotel. It was named in honor of The Peabody's donation of $250,000.
"The minute I heard the plans, I was all for it," said Gregg Herning, manager of The Peabody. "It will be a great amenity to the city and to the guests at our hotel."
Funds had been appropriated for a playground to be built at Riverfront Park, and with the addition of the Peabody's donation, the new adventure park became possible.
Kumpuris knew that in order to create a park for children, he needed their input. He put an ad in the paper, asking for children of all ages to tell him and the architects what they wanted in the park.
"The children told us what they wanted," Kumpuris said. "They made drawings and told us flat out what they did and didn't want in their park."
The children's requests were taken seriously by Kumpuris and Leland Couch, architect with Arkansas Parks and Recreation, and put into action.
A large spray area lies in the middle of the park at the bottom of a hillside. Motion-censored waterspouts will spray up at different times and in different heights, allowing children to immerse themselves in a fountain of fun.
Built high above one of the many tunnels and surrounded by large native stones, the Ozark Pavilion will provide children and adults with a place to relax and take in the beauty of the Arkansas River. The pavilion will have a concrete floor and stationary tables and chairs. Parents can sit in the pavilion and watch their children play below. The pavilion also will be available to rent for birthday parties and other events.
Dozens of large native stones were strategically placed to create climbing spots, ranking in different skill levels.
A number of small and large outdoor rooms, similar to grottos, are interspersed throughout the stones.
Closer to the riverbank will be a wetlands area containing indigenous plant species.
The park will provide children and adults with a place to relax, explore and take in the natural beauty of Arkansas, Kumpuris said. Plus, with proximity to the shops and restaurants in the River Market, families will have all they need in one location.
"You can now come to downtown Little Rock, park your car once and have things to do for an entire day," Kumpuris said.
Couch and construction manager Jackie Collins have been working on the park for months, through rain, sleet and snow.
Kumpuris said he is excited to see the completed project.
"There's nothing like this anywhere," he said. "The uniqueness of this park will get national attention."
Ride Up & Be Secure
The River Market has a new bike rack to provide cyclists a secure place to park while they're enjoying the Ottenheimer Market Hall or Farmers' Market. The River Market encourages everyone to bike more often. Did you know that 40% of US travel happens within 2 miles of where people live? And nearly all of that travel is by car! Think about the amount of carbon that is emitted from people firing up the car just to run out for a loaf of bread or a cup of coffee. What if once a week, people replace a trip under 2 miles with a bike instead? Sounds pretty simple doesn't it? Get out there & get some fresh air, reduce the amount of fuel you consume & feel a little better about yourself!
NEW! Apples, made by Arkansas Ironworks:
Carrots, made by Dero Bike Racks:
River Market Mural
The brilliant local artist April Burris has painted a beautiful mural of Downtown Little Rock's skyline featuring the River Market & Riverfest Amphitheatre. The bold & colorful piece can be seen on the 2nd floor of the River Market in the hallway between the stairs & the River Market office.
April has participated in the River Market's Farmers' Market for the past few years, so you may recognize her work. She has also shown her work at The Art Scene & several places around Arkansas. For more information about April, visit her website, www.dancingrabbitstudio.com. And next time you're at the River Market, take the stairwell up to the 2nd floor & have a look!
New River Market Sculpture
If you've visited the Ottenheimer Market Hall recently, you may have noticed a cool new sculpture in the middle of the dining area. "Crane Unfolding Monument" is by Kevin Box from Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The 8 foot high cast bronze sculpture of a paper crane unfolding is mounted on a rotating base so that it can be spun around (but don't spin it too fast, there's nothing worse than a paper cut!). The paper crane's location in the Market Hall is only temporary though. Look for its new home to be in Riverfront Park this summer.
