Discover care that actually connects the dots. NWA Functional Health offers functional medicine, hormone balancing, gut health support, and science-driven testing to help you restore energy, reduce symptoms, and feel like yourself again. Visit our new, expanded space and ask about memberships!
(479) 220-9909
nwafunctionalhealth.com
252 S Maestri Rd #4, Tontitown, AR 72762
Bespoke cocktail and mocktail beverages, turning every sip into a moment of indulgence
We believe every drink should be as beautiful as it is delicious. At Opulent Outings, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages alike are crafted with care and artistry, transforming ordinary gatherings into sophisticated, unforgettable experiences. Each sip delights the senses, sparks conversation, and elevates your celebrations with unmatched style, refined taste, and moments your guests will cherish.
Reserve your experience with Opulent Outings and let our team bring sophistication, flavor, and seamless service to your next event. Whether it’s an intimate gathering of a few or a grand celebration of many, our luxury mobile bar staff ensures every guest receives quick service without compromising presentation or flavor.
From Newbie to Springdalian
I am not originally from Springdale. I grew up in North Little Rock, went to school in Little Rock, and eventually followed in the footsteps of my grandparents, parents, cousins, and sisters to become a Razorback.
Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with Springdale and Tontitown. Not just for the food, the charm, or the local favorites—but for the people. The way this place welcomes people in, looks out for one another, and makes people feel like they belong is something truly special.
One of the things that sets Springdale apart is its ability to honor its roots while continuing to grow. In this issue, you’ll see stories that reflect that balance— longstanding local staples like Harps, exciting new developments taking shape in Johnson, and businesses that lead with heart (including a local tire company whose mission reaches far beyond the garage).
It has been a true joy listening to your stories, and learning more about the people, history, and moments that make this city what it is. You’ll see that reflected throughout these pages.
You’ll also notice that our City Scene section is extra full this month, and that’s intentional. These pages are filled with the faces and moments that give Springdale its soul. The stories, generosity, and pride found here are what truly make this place feel like home.
Thank you to everyone who has opened their arms to me and allowed me to serve as a steward for this incredible city. It’s an honor to share and celebrate the heart of Springdale—and to finally call myself a Springdalian (even if it’s not technically a real word… yet).
Downtown Springdale Alliance puts on the International Hot Cocoa Crawl.
9-15: Downtown Springdale Alliance puts on Christmas on the Creek and the lighting of the square.
— Julia M.
Harps Offers DoorDash Services
Sometimes when it’s warm inside and you already have work to do around the house, getting all your stuff together just to go to the store can seem like a hassle. Lucky for us, Harps started offering DoorDash services in January. Now, you can have groceries delivered right to your doorstep!
One Great Year for The Skin Clinic
In December, The Skin Clinic celebrated its first birthday. In just one year, they went from zero to over 500 patients. They were also nominated for “Best of Siloam” in 2025 and have no intention of slowing down in 2026.
Curated Health for the Kids
Curated Health is focusing on children in the new year with two new hires that specialize in child and adolescent mental health treatments! Crystal Mapes, LPC is a play therapist and Kelly Dunaway, APRN, PMHNP-BC provides medication management and therapeutic services.
Scan to read more Scan
Driven by Service and Heart
Pro Tire & Automotive Center delivers trusted automotive care by putting people, faith, and community first.
When Rick and Mary Funderburg purchased Brad’s Tire & Automotive Center in February 2016, they were not simply acquiring a business. They saw an opportunity to raise the standard for automotive care in Northwest Arkansas through integrity, service, and genuine relationships. Rebranded as Pro Tire & Automotive Center, the company has since grown into the largest independently owned auto repair facility in the region.
“We offer great service,” Rick says. “The entertainment is free.” This phrase reflects a deeper philosophy. Automotive repair does not have to feel intimidating or impersonal. The team at Pro Tire is made up of skilled technicians, service advisors, and support staff who take pride in their work and care deeply about customers, welcoming them into a space built on conversation, trust, and long-term relationships, where questions are encouraged and honesty is the standard. Their consistent teamwork turns first-time visitors into long-term customers across Northwest Arkansas communities.
That mindset has shaped a culture where automotive repair feels approachable rather than intimidating. Jason and Melanie Bedogne have been customers since day
ARTICLE BY ERIN BOIGER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALDRIN WARRICK
one. When Pro Tire moved into its new facility in 2019, they surprised the team with a cookie cake to celebrate. Today, their daughters are drivers themselves and loyal Pro Tire customers. “We know Pro Tire is safe for them,” Melanie shares. “It is a place they feel comfortable going.”
As the business has grown, so has its impact throughout the community. Pro Tire proudly supports local schools, Visiting Angels, military families, and numerous organizations throughout the area. Giving back is not a marketing initiative. It is a responsibility. “We give back because this community has given so much to us,” Rick says.
Guided by faith and a commitment to exceptional customer service, Pro Tire’s success remains deeply personal. “We have been able to accomplish so much because of God’s grace,” Rick says, “and our focus on taking care of people.”
Behind Pro Tire’s success is a philosophy that begins with its employees and extends outward into the community. “Our staff is
family,” Rick says, and the company lives that belief daily. The average Pro Tire employee has been with the company for seven years, a milestone that reflects trust, loyalty, and respect.
That commitment was tested during one of the most difficult moments in company history. When a longtime employee was involved in a serious motorcycle accident and placed in the ICU, Rick and Mary ensured he received pay throughout his recovery so his family would not face financial stress. The experience reshaped how Pro Tire cares for its team. Today, every employee is provided an accident policy that covers them at work and home, at no cost. “We never want families to go without coverage,” Rick explains.
That same compassion shapes how Pro Tire responds to needs beyond
the shop. One of the most meaningful moments came when Rick learned of a 17-year-old in Farmington who had been tragically injured in his home, leaving him paraplegic. His family had no reliable way to transport him. Rick invested thousands of dollars into modifying a vehicle to accommodate his wheelchair and gave it to the family. The goal was never recognition, only help.
Customers feel that sincerity. Melanie Bedogne describes it best. “The way Rick connects with people is so meaningful. The way he talks to people matters. I wish we could bottle it up because it’s special.”
That authenticity continues to build loyalty across generations, strengthening Pro Tire’s reputation as a trusted, community-centered automotive partner.
At Pro Tire & Automotive Center, vehicles may be the service, but relationships remain the mission.
TO MY
Valentine
ARTICLE BY LEANN PARKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
Create timeless keepsakes for those you love with this easy DIY Valentine Stationary. There is something special and reminiscent of our earlier years of creating homemade valentines for those special in our lives. While stores are filled with Valentine candy, cards and gifts, the thoughtfulness and time put into to a handmade card holds a different meaning. Words are the things we treasure most, so let those you care about most know how you treasure them this Valentine’s Day.
• Hand Lettering Template (www.silvertoothhome.com/blog/diy-stationery)
• Light Box
Instructions for Heart Prints
1. Cut the potato in half. Using a small knife, carefully carve a heart shape onto the flat side of the potato. Carve freestyle or use the free template under “DIY Stationery” on the blog at silvertoothhome.com/ blog/diy-stationery. Even when using the template, each carving will come out as unique art like the ones you see here.
2. With a paint brush, apply paint to the heart shape on the potato.
3. Stamp the potato heart onto blank stationery.
4. Set aside until completely dry.
Instructions for Rose Prints
1. Cut the end off of romaine lettuce. Set leaves aside and use the stem.
2. Using a paintbrush, apply paint to the lettuce stem.
3. Stamp the lettuce “rose” onto blank stationery.
4. Set aside until completely dry.
Once your stationery is completely dry it is time to add beautiful Valentine’s Day lettering. If you have beautiful handwriting then draw free hand. If you’re not as confident use a light box and my hand lettering template (found on the blog at silvertoothhome.com/blog/ diy-stationery) to transfer lettering onto the stationery. To do this, first lay the hand lettering template on a light box with the stationery on top. Then trace the hand lettering onto the stationery with a pen or marker of choice.
ARTICLE BY BO SIMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMA NELSON
NEW URBANISM with CHARACTER
The Past, Present, and Future of Johnson Square and The Warehouse District
Just east of I-49 and north of Johnson Mill Boulevard, you’ll find a cluster of buildings with contemporary, arts-centric architecture buzzing with activity. This is Johnson Square: a multi-phase, mixed-use community. If you drive by the intersection of Main St. and Johnson Mill Blvd., you’ll see a six-acre division under construction right now. This is The Warehouse District.
Johnson Square will add over 90 acres of development to this area when finished, moving farther east, north, and up as buildings go vertical. Right now, the developers at High Street Real Estate & Development—the company behind the project—mark their progress, as The Warehouse District completes by the end of the year. Throughout it all, they’re preparing for “Phase 2,” the final and potentially most ambitious phase set to occur.
While the final rollout won’t take place for another few years, there is a lot to enjoy now with even more to look forward to. Some of Northwest Arkansas’ most sought-after eateries are at Johnson Square, with two more coming to The Warehouse District.
Pizzeria Ruby has been recognized as one of the finest, most authentic Italian pizzerias in Northwest Arkansas, hand-makingand-tossing pastas and pies from an open kitchen. Known for large, New York-style, 18-inch pizzas, the warm atmosphere rings true to the classic pizzeria feel.
Hail Fellow Well Met by Onyx brings a different, more experimental vibe to match the artistic undertones of the area. The design flickers and dangles with plants, split-flap displays, and patterned walls, creating a modern and welcoming feel. The interior matches
the food, with rotating menus offering everything from breakfast to dinner and coffee to cocktails.
The third restaurant in the area, Ozark Mountain Bagel Co., brings another metropolitan favorite: New York-style bagels. With a minimalistic, kitchen-home design, Ozark Mountain puts the emphasis on the bagels and contributes further to the welcoming feel of the district.
The best part about each of these places is their proximity to each other. With three of the most locally loved restaurants so close together and more to come, Johnson Square has quickly become a destination—and since it has gone three for three on restaurants, one can only have high hopes for those coming soon to The Warehouse District.
Beloved restaurateur and force behind Table Restaurant Group, Carl Garrett, will bring Floridian seafood to the area with “Table A1A,” while Juan Bahena (Tula, Taqueria Lucha) will bring Pacific Mexican cuisine with “Costa.”
This method of placing the best options close together represents the intentions of High Street Real Estate & Development. Building spaces where people and businesses can thrive and creating walkable, master-planned communities is at the heart of what they do.
Their goal for Johnson Square is to organize the essential ingredients any community must have right at residents’ fingertips. They view this project as the future of Northwest Arkansas, with The Warehouse District showing on a smaller scale what’s coming on a larger one.
If you drive by the intersection of Main St. and Johnson Mill Blvd., you’ll see a six-acre division under construction right now. This is The Warehouse District.
Jason Keathley (left) and Ward Davis (right)
Ward Davis, principal and co-founder of High Street Real Estate & Development, made clear, however, that these are merely the “bones” of the community. While he and his team remain committed to building with intention, he insisted that it’s the people who give it life.
“The character of the neighborhood comes from Onyx doing Hail Fellow Well Met and Michael Robert Shaw and Meredith Butler doing Pizzeria Ruby,” Ward said. “On one hand, we try to design stuff that’s very compelling to people, but on the other hand, we want to have a more modest approach to development than ‘this is the developers’ vision.’”
The idea for Johnson Square began as the rough concept of a town center initiated by conversations between Ward and his late business partner, Morgan Hooker. Ward met Morgan in 2004, and about a decade later they decided to make an official move when the opportunity arose.
That occurred in 2015, and together, Morgan and Ward founded their company to take on Johnson Square as their first project. When Washington Regional reached out about putting up a building, they had no choice but to get started.
Jason Keathley, former co-founder and Vice President of C.R. Crawford Construction, had known Morgan since around 2002 and agreed to help on the construction front.
“Jason thought we were half crazy to be putting up a building in the middle of this huge field,” Ward said. “We planned the rest of the neighborhood and had a spot for it, but we needed a building fast.”
Things moved along incrementally. Soon, houses, apartments, and offices started filling up empty space. By 2021, Pizzeria Ruby and Hail Fellow Well Met had opened.
Unexpectedly, Morgan passed away in 2022 during the height of development. This was devastating for the entire team at High Street and those who knew him. As one of the minds behind Johnson Square, his legacy will live on in every building, planned space, and voice that brings life to the community he made possible.
“On one hand, we try to design stuff that’s very compelling to people, but on the other hand, we want to have a more modest approach to development than ‘this is the developers’ vision.’”
In November of 2022, Jason moved from the construction world to becoming a principal at High Street alongside Ward. Their working relationship can be described as collaborative with friction, in which Ward dreams up ideas while Jason tells him what’s feasible.
“Sometimes we have to make a decision to do something different,” said Jason. “And then we come up with something better.”
As The Warehouse District comes online and Johnson Square “Phase 2” sits on the horizon, there is much to look forward to.
Envisioned is a master-planned New Urban community with homes, apartments, townhouses, shops, restaurants, offices, and green spaces, centered around a public square for community events, all walkable and near to the broader NWA trail system.
But, as Ward already noted, the character of a place stems from the people, and Johnson Square invites the entire community of Northwest Arkansas to join in on the energy coming soon.
“It’s going to be a lot nicer than they think it’s going to be,” Ward said. “And a lot more fun.”
A Handmade Date Night
A date night at home is the perfect occasion to shower your loved ones with affection and appreciation. While storebought gifts and cards have their charm, there’s something incredibly special about receiving a handmade gesture. By opting for a handmade date night, you’re not just expressing love but also showcasing your thoughtfulness and effort. These handmade creations convey a personal touch that can’t be replicated.
Make
From-Scratch
Pasta
what you need
Yield: 1 pound
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 4 large eggs
what you do
1. Mound the flour in the center of a work surface with a well in the middle. Crack the eggs into the well and beat with a fork until smooth, then work flour into eggs with the fork. Use a bench scraper to work in the rest of the flour a little at a time. When the flour is incorporated, form the dough with your hands into a rounded mass for kneading. Lightly dust your workspace with flour and knead dough about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Cover dough with a bowl or plastic wrap and rest 1 1/2 hours, or chill overnight.
2. To roll by hand, flour a clean work surface. Vigorously roll dough to a very thin circle and roll constantly with even pressure as it stretches for several minutes until as thin as possible, almost translucent.
3. To cut by hand, lightly fold sheets one at a time into thirds and cut to desired thickness. Recipe from MarthaStewart.com .
• 1-2 oz lavender-vanilla simple syrup (recipe below)
• 1 oz white chocolate sauce (we used Hollander brand)
Lavender-Vanilla simple syrup
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tablespoon culinary lavender buds
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder or ½ vanilla bean, scraped or 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Love at First SIP
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAROL BLANCHET
DIRECTIONS:
1. To your favorite mug, add the white chocolate syrup, the lavender-vanilla simple syrup and the freshly brewed shots of coffee. Stir to mix.
2. Add steamed milk and garnish with a pinch of lavender sugar or a few culinary lavender buds.
3. Sip and Enjoy!
DIRECTIONS:
1. Add the water, sugar and lavender to a saucepan. If using the vanilla bean paste or vanilla bean pod, add that too.
2. Simmer 5 minutes stirring frequently until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Remove from heat.
4. If using vanilla extract, add it now.
5. Let steep 10 minutes.
6. Strain.
7. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Winter Citrus Revival
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 shots of Talking Crow Coffee Roasters decaf espresso
• 6 oz steamed oat milk (or milk of choice)
• 1-2 oz of blood orange cardamom syrup (recipe below)
• Ground cardamom for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
1. To your favorite mug, add the blood orange simple syrup.
2. Add the freshly brewed espresso shots. Stir to mix –the syrup is thick.
3. Add steamed milk
4. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cardamom.
5. Sip and Enjoy!
Blood Orange – Cardamom Syrup
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup fresh blood orange juice
• ½ cup sugar
• 8 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
• 1 strip blood orange peel
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
3. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
4. Remove from heat and let steep 5 minutes.
5. Strain out the cardamom pods.
6. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks
HARPS, A Hometown Hero
HOW HARPS LOVES LOCAL
ARTICLE BY BO SIMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HARPS
At the height of the Great Depression, our country faced more economic, political, and social volatility than ever before. What started as a whimpering finish to the Roaring Twenties only grew softer and more strained in the early 1930s. There was perhaps no worse time in American history to start a business, and perhaps no worse place than Arkansas: a heavily agrarian state extremely high in poverty and almost entirely rural.
During this time, a husband and wife named Harvard and Floy Harp lived in Springdale. They only had $500 to their name. Taking that small sum of money, they decided to start a grocery store.
If you’ve never heard of Harps Food Stores before, I’d have a hard time believing you’re from around here. Just about everywhere you go, you can find one. And everywhere you find one, you can trust that beyond the sliding doors is everything you could ask for in groceries, customer service, and small-town sensibility. Even more, those big green letters remind us that some of the greatest successes sprout from humble beginnings, especially when those beginnings aren’t forgotten.
Many of you may be familiar with the story of Harps. Harvard and Floy opened what was originally known as “Harp’s Cash Grocery” at the intersection of Emma Avenue and Water Street. The building, while no longer here, was the first way Harps served the local community—and in one of the most difficult times it has ever faced.
CONTINUED >
That one store grew to around 40 by the early 2000s and 78 by 2014. Today, there are 160 stores across six states: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Kansas. Despite the growth, all of them aim to maintain the same onestore feel of friendly smiles, welcoming hellos, and sense of goodwill that went into the first.
In every location, these stores go further by supporting local farms and producers, partnering with local schools, working with local food banks, and encouraging employees to join local organizations. All the while, they promote personal interactions within these communities, sharing with the rest of the world the love they found in Springdale.
This starts, first and foremost, with their employees. One of their company philosophies is to grow people from within, allowing that growth to work its way out into the community through them.
The path of current CEO and Chairman of the Board at Harps, Kim Eskew, illustrates this connection. From a humble background in Piggott, Arkansas, Kim became a student at the UofA by 1977. As a student, he worked part-time at Harps as a bagger, stocker, and cashier. Following college, he continued moving through positions as an assistant store manager, store manager, and district manager, which ultimately led him to where he is now.
“In cultivating a feeling of home, it also cultivates a feeling of Springdale, bringing its successes back to the local community.”
In 2001, the company implemented an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). This means that every store associate is an owner, deepening ties to the company’s mission, purpose, and character. Every success for the company is a success for the employee and vice versa. That connection is shown through the tenure of those who work there—few less than three years, some as much as thirty, and many even longer.
Importantly, as the company has expanded, it has sought to never forget its roots in Springdale. In cultivating a feeling of home, it also cultivates a feeling of Springdale, bringing its successes back to the local community.
Sarah Thacker, Director of Marketing and Advertising, said this: “Thank you for trusting a hometown company for over 95 years. We don’t take that lightly. We’re excited to continue to grow, improve, innovate, and serve our customers with that same small-town care that first started this company in 1930.”
In Springdale, local suppliers such as Magara Farms are supported by Harps. Consistent community partnerships also keep Harps involved with local schools, food banks, and non-profits like the Downtown Springdale Alliance.
“When you love local, the whole region thrives,” Sarah said.
And because of places like Harps, we do.
BECAUSE.
CHOCOLATE.
Chocolate Fondue
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 pound premium semisweet chocolate (recommended: Lindt or Callebaut)
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon brandy
• Strawberries, bananas, pineapple, brownies, waffles, marshmallows, Oreos, pound cake, pretzels or any other dipping item of your choice!
Put approximately four inches of water in a saucepan and bring to a slow boil. Place a mixing bowl on top and pour in the heavy cream. Let heat. Or, use a double boiler. Meanwhile, break up or chop the chocolate into small pieces. When the cream feels hot to the touch, add chocolate and whisk until smooth. Whisk in vanilla and brandy (optional). Pour into the fondue pot and light the handy fuel underneath. Keep the flame low as not to burn the fondue. Arrange dippers on a platter and enjoy. For the grown-ups, a spiked chocolate drink from our friend, Martha Stewart.
• 1 tablespoon dark chocolatecovered coffee beans, chopped
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, 1/2 cup cream, and whole coffee beans. Bring to a simmer, turn off heat, cover, and steep beans for 1 hour. Strain liquid and return to saucepan; discard beans. Bring the milk-and-cream mixture back to a simmer, add chocolate, and whisk until incorporated. Remove from heat; whisk in Kahlua. Whip remaining 1/2 cup cream and the confectioners” sugar until soft peaks form. Divide the hot chocolate between 2 cups and garnish each portion with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of chopped chocolate-covered coffee beans.
ARTICLE BY SUE G. COLLINS
When my kids were little, we would address valentines to classmates, deliver flowers to neighbors and decorate the house with hearts and snowflakes (cut from white coffee filters). For dinner, I would make their favorite meal: dessert! Why not? I'd melt chocolate (the good stuff) and let them line up their dippers. They thought dessert for dinner was magical. Of course, I'd fed them a protein-packed after-school snack and served “dinner” early so they could get their sugar wiggles out before bed. Delightful! Happy Valentine's Day!
CHOCO OLATEC LATECH
FEBRUARY 2026
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
FEBRUARY 3RD
Free Darts Tuesday
Springdale Pool Lounge | 5:00 PM Darts are on the house every Tuesday at Springdale Pool Lounge! Just grab a drink and play for free—one drink per person.
FEBRUARY 7TH
Frost Fest
Washington County Fair Grounds | 1:00 PM
Experience Arkansas’s biggest craft beer celebration at Frost Fest 2026! Sample 150+ unique beers from 50+ breweries, plus live music, food trucks, local vendors, and frosty Yeti vibes. Tickets are required and include a commemorative sampling glass for this one-day tasting event.
FEBRUARY 7TH
Daddy-Daughter Dance at Sassafras
Sassafras Springs Vineyard and Winery | 5:00 PM
On February 7th, Sassafras is hosting its first ever Daddy-Daughter Dance! With music, light appetizers, desserts, refreshments, activities, and a photo backdrop, this event will make for a special night out that no father and daughter wants to miss.
Minds
CONTINUED
FEBRUARY 11TH
Bingo Night at Tontitown Winery
Tontitown Winery | 5:00 PM
Join Tontitown Winery every Wednesday, from 5–7 PM! Enjoy an evening of fun in the indoor lounge and covered patio while dining and sipping your favorite drinks. Play for exciting prizes, compete for the coveted Spirit Stick, and make it a night to remember. First-come, first-served—no reservations needed!
FEBRUARY 14TH
Springdale
Farmers Market
Jones Center | 7:00 AM
Catch Baking Bliss NWA every Saturday from 7AM-1PM at the Springdale Farmers Market at the Jones Center for fresh cookies. Limited quantities available—preorder to secure your treats before they’re gone.
FEBRUARY 20TH
WinterFest at the Senior Center
Senior Center | 5:00 PM
Two days of music, jamming, and fellowship, this event will take place inside the brand new senior center from 5 PM to 9 PM February 20th and 21st. There will be fiddle and guitar workshops, chili and potluck, and an auction to pick up new instruments!
Have You Seen The New Shop On Emma Ave?
Bea & Bleux was founded by two friends who turned their passions for art, cooking, and home décor into a boutique filled with charm and craftsmanship. Thoughtfully curated gifts, kitchen treasures, and home accents make every space and every moment feel special. From styling a cozy corner to building the perfect gift at their GIFT BAR, Bea & Bleux inspires creativity, connection, and joy. Stop by their Springdale boutique today.
