6 | DiscoverNorthwestArkansas.com | Sunday, July 29, 2018
Marci DeVenney doesn't actually live on
a local town square, but she understands
why it's so popular in Northwest Arkansas.
"It has to do with access to many different
experiences," said Marci, communications
and community outreach coordinator for
Downtown Bentonville, an organization
devoted to promoting the community's
downtown. "It has food, art, retail, festivals,
parades and parks. All of these things are
within a very walkable or hikeable area.
at's what makes it very enticing for these
downtown squares developing around the
country and Northwest Arkansas."
Many communities such as Bentonville,
Fayetteville, Springdale and Siloam Springs
have worked to preserve downtown
buildings and turn once shuttered
structures into modern multi-use spaces.
It brings community together, Marci
explained.
"It's a combination of being true to
your historic roots and offering modern
amenities that people want," she said.
"Living within a downtown and having
mixed use with retail and residential and
dining is great. It's so important for the
community to preserve their roots."
While preservation is key to a
downtown's resurgence, it's also an
important economic engine. First ursday
in Fayetteville, First Fridays in Bentonville,
farmers markets and art and wine walks all
drive business and community engagement.
"A lot of the retail businesses benefit from
monthly festivals like these," she said. "It's
bringing 5,000-10,000 people right outside
their doors. at's not an opportunity
every single business gets to have. To have
that opportunity once a month is good
for economics, but it's also good for the
community to bring everybody together."
Living the
"square" life
Local communities banking on
town squares and downtowns to
bring community together
By Dave Woods | DiscoverNorthwestArkansas.com
"We put out a map and highlight
our art galleries. It's an
additional opportunity for
local businesses to open their
doors to art of all kinds of people."
- Marci DeVenney
Best Meat
Dep tment in NWA!
BUTCHERS ON DUTY UNTIL 7 PM
Quality Meat • Fresh Produce
• Full Service Deli • Great Selection
of Natural & Gluten Free Foods
We're H e
to S ve
Y !!!
Open 7 Days a Week - 7am-10pm
60 Sugar Creek Center • Bella Vista
479-876-6190 • ALLENSFOODMARKET.COM
Go to downtownbentonville.org
to learn more about their downtown
events and festivals.
