08.17.10
Benchwarmer’s Restaurant in Fayetteville pulls the plug!
The much anticipated sports bar, BenchWarmers Tavern & Grill – which was supposed to occupy the former Meaux Dad’s building in the Target shopping center in North Fayetteville – has apparently been benched… for good! After several weeks of visible remodeling in the stand-alone building (including a “Now Hiring” banner hanging out front) the Denver, Colorado based restaurant suffered some legal backlashes related to its CEO, Kevin Foote. According to the Denver Westword, Mr. Foote – who supposedly has a lengthy criminal record stretching back to 1993 – was arrested on a parole violation and booked into a Boulder County jail. Following this arrest, several restaurants operated by the chain were closed without notice, and others that were in the pipeline (including the one in North Fayetteville) were halted. Also according to the report, it seems the chain may be on a downward spiral to cease operations all together.
So, as for the Meaux Dad’s building, it’s back to square one. Will anyone ever reoccupy this space… and stay more than a year? Let’s hope so. It’s a prime location with great visibility that will enhance the entertainment options of the Uptown District along with the variety of eateries available.
Now we just need to keep an eye open to see if the planned additions of the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery (rumored to be eying the former TGI Friday’s building, across from the Olive Garden) and Northern Exposure (far from open, but already has an established Fayetteville address – in the former Smokey Bone’s building sandwiched between Olive Garden & Red Robin) will come to fruition.
Stay with UptownFayettevilleAR.com for the scoop on happenings in and around the Uptown District & the rest of N.W. Arkansas.
