I’ve had a battery of questions about this and that business, so this is going to be an update for everything recent I can think of. Hopefully I haven’t left anything out, but if I did, please make a comment and let me know what needs to be added to the list.
- There’s a new Dollar General being built at the northwest corner of Springhill & Northlake.
- If it’s not open yet, it will be really soon, but there’s also a new Dollar General on South Reynolds Road, across from Hill Farm Elementary School.
- John’s Gym, previously located on Military Road (near the previous Enterprise Lanes) was sent packing by the property owner in favor of Planet Fitness taking over the building. John’s moved to the former Dollar General property on Edison at 5th Street. A few weeks ago, John’s Gym had to pack it in again. I’ve not been able to get in touch with the owner about what happened or what’s his next move. UPDATE: JC Clements, the owner of Warehouse on Edison, says John’s Gym will be moving in there. Glad to hear they’re not going out of business.
RELATED TO PLANET FITNESS:
- The Business Going In Next to Planet Fitness Is Hoping for a Smooth Transition – July 5, 2018
- Epic Update: New Stores, Subdivisions, Liquor Stores, a Bank and some Restaurants – December 2, 2016
- So You Want a Bowling Alley Again? Let’s Make This Happen – August 19, 2016
- Signs Point to a Particular Fitness Franchise Coming to the Old Bowling Alley in Benton – April 25, 2016
- There will be a new liquor store left of Fred’s on Highway 5 North. It’s currently under construction. There used to be an ice machine there, but it’s gone to make space for the new building.
- On the other side of Fred’s, a residential mobile home was taken off the lot several months ago. The land was rezoned for commercial use and will become a drive-through Chinese restaurant, according to Bryant City meeting minutes. The owner is the same one from the former Taste of D-Light Chinese restaurant that was on North Reynolds Road, where Smuggler’s Bay liquor now sits (next to Ramsey Tire). MySaline stories related to Taste of D-Light: https://www.mysaline.com/?s=d-light
- There’s also a bank called Merchant Farmers Bank opening shop facing Springhill Road, across from US Pizza.

- More new construction is happening on Reynolds Road between Bryant Cafe and Mapco. It’s a two-story structure owned by the Goolsby family. They currently operate a liquor store in the shopping center behind Koffee with a Kause on the south side of Interstate 30, southeast of the Reynolds/30 intersection. This new structure will have a liquor store on the bottom, with space for lease up top. Word is that this is the one liquor store moving to a better location.

- There is a tire store opening shop soon on Reynolds and Ethel. If you aren’t familiar with Ethel, it’s a side road and previously had residential mobile homes but has been rezoned commercial. The word from an anonymous source is that a certain former tire store owner and a certain current body shop are joining together in this venture.

- David’s Burgers seems to be dotting the Interstate. They have had one open for months next to Bass Pro/Otter Creek and now, according to Bryant City meeting minutes and also management at the Otter Creek store, there are plans to begin construction soon in Bryant. It will be located west of Waffle House, in the new Reynolds Center, which will have a restaurant (David’s), some retail lease space and some medical office space. Look for the restaurant to be open in Summer 2017. David’s management also said there are plans to build yet another restaurant near Alcoa Road. The location is yet to be determined, but possibly in the new mall.

- What mall, you say? The Shoppes of Benton, if that’s what they are still calling it. GBT Realty purchased land on Interstate 30 next to Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and broke ground a few months ago. Now we’re seeing brick frames pop up, and the first day of shopping is expected to happen in late Spring 2017. Stores that have committed to the mall at this time are Hobby Lobby, PetSmart, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Ulta, Rack Room Shoes, Maurices, Sally Beauty, SportClips, All Aboard Restaurant & Grill, Texas Roadhouse, Avalon Nails and Sprint.
- There’s a new residential subdivision developing across from Mills Park, off Mills Park Road called Sage Creek. Expect about 40 homes in a curvy one-street neighborhood.

- Another subdivision, Hunter’s Crossing, is adding Phase II of the neighborhood. It’s on the north side of Bryant, located north off Highway 5 North (a.k.a. Stagecoach Road) and east of Reynolds Road.
- There is an educational facility to be located at 1110 Reynolds Road. That’s at the southeast side of the intersection of Reynolds and Dogwood Place. The business is called Arkansas Early Learning – Saline County Children Learning Center.

- And finally (unless you point out more things) there is a new subdivision on Zuber Road, across from Bethel Middle School, called Benjamin Grove.

- Roller Ballard Funeral Home has a piece of land at the northwest corner of Alcoa Road and Boone Road. They will break ground in the next couple of months for a new facility.
- Tacos 4 Life is building on the north end of Alcoa Road, between Slim Chickens and Pilot Gas station. Click to see the articles about this on Sep 30 2016 and Oct 6, 2016.
- Everett Infiniti is coming to Benton on the north side of Interstate 30, just east of Hurricane Creek Village Shopping Center (Kroger/Academy). Click to see the article from Aug 18, 2016.
- McLarty Nissan will be on the same same of I-30, but farther west, just before Tops Shoes & Congo Stove. Click to see the article from Sep 21, 2016 and Sep 28 2016.
What about the corner of Alcoa and Sleepy village? The corner has been cleared of all its trees. Such a shame to see that go away. Now the view from our back deck will be of whatever building is put there. Pity of progress…..
Please,please we desperately need a SAMS CLUB in Bryant or Benton,a perfect spot would be behind walmart in Bryant all that land sitting there would be perfect,we don’t need anymore little strip malls
My best advise is to contact the businesses you want and tell them why you want them here.
I would like to see Ross for less, bath n body works,Burlington coat factory, or cititrends, goodys or stage or even like a foot locker, belks would b nice to have in the Benton/ Bryant area.
The Old Razor car Wash on Reynolds will soon be a Jiffy Lube and Car wash
I noticed last spring a sign on Alcoa Rd by Boone that said future home of Ballards funeral home. (Can’t remember the full name) But I haven’t seen anything going on around there. Is it still happening?
Definitely still coming.
I had heard that a Golden Corral is being put in the Alcoa complex Can you find out if this is true and let us know?
Before Kroger Marketplace began construction, a map of the area was published in the Saline Courier with projected businesses. One of those businesses was Chueys Mexican Restaurant in front of the current Kroger next to the access road. Is it no longer coming to Saline County?
I asked that question a couple months back to a manager at the Chuey’s in West LR. He told me it was a still a go, but apparently the there is going to be one built in Fayetteville or Conway possibly first then Saline County afterwards.
What happened to Mazzio’s?. When will we get another restaurant like Ed and Kay’s? Need more country cooking in Benton. The ones we have are not really old fashioned country cooking.
What is going in next to Slim Chicken on Alcoa?
I just updated with info and two links to previous stories. It’s Tacos 4 Life!
Still no Pizza resturants in Benton or a bowling alley. OR any family resturants like Golden Corral.
Sad for Benton we are so behind. But let’s be sure and add one more nail salon or Chinese restaurant or banks and oh don’t forget general dollar!!!
I don’t think Benton is behind at all. I will suggest like I have in the past that if you want a specific business to come here, start by contacting the company and telling them how much you like them and that you want to be able to shop them more often. And tell your friends and family to do the same.
For about three years every time I went to Starbucks in Little Rock, ANY Starbucks in Little Rock, I filled out a comment card that simply said, ” Come to Saline County.”
No pizza places? I feel like for a short time a) you could find was pizza and chicken.
Wow so far behind would be the last thing I would think with all the growth in this area. As far as Pizza,you can’t get any better than Larrys and US Pizza. And there’s also Luigi. And no they aren’t in Benton proper but neither is this article about Benton city limits.
For those who want authentic Pizza (like u can get in NY or NJ) the best place to go is Bruno’s–in benton where Ed & Kay’s used to be–just go south street to the service road and follow it to Bruno’s Italian Villa–Best Italian food anywhere in Arkansas–especially for the price. Incredible lunch menu for only 6.99 and they serve wine too.m Real family place.