Walnut Ridge business closures part of national trend, leaders say

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (KAIT) - After seeing several national chains shut down or prepare to leave, the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce says the closures are part of a national trend.

As a response, the organization looks to turn the situation into an opportunity.

KFC, Citgo, Maker’s Market, and Buddy’s Appliance have all closed down. Family Dollar is getting ready to close.

“This is not something that just happened overnight,” Terrence Ward, executive director of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce explained. “This is not just a random one off.”

Ward said national brands across the country are looking for ways to cut costs and pull out of stores that aren’t making enough money.

“These conversations have been happening behind the scenes for these businesses for many months and it got to a point where everything hit at one time,” Ward said.

City and Chamber working to fill vacant properties

Ward said national chains are evaluating multiple locations to determine which stores to close.

“They are looking at multiple locations — not just Walnut Ridge — on determining cutting those nonprofitable areas. They are looking at the business as a whole,” Ward said.

When a store closes, families lose paychecks and the city loses tax dollars. Ward said that hurts, but the chamber is talking with property managers to fill the empty spaces.

“There’s already work happening behind the scenes like at the KFC location; they are actively looking for another tenant long term which is great and that tells us the wheels are moving,” Ward explained. “I’ve had a few that are just trying to figure out how to make it to the next day.”

Ward said filling the spaces won’t happen overnight. Based on the chamber’s data, the biggest gap is groceries.

“Based on the leakage and gap report we received is the grocery store. $30 million left Lawrence County and this area to go to other counties for those purchases,” he explained.

Ward said there is room for more local businesses to step in. The chamber wants to hear from Lawrence County residents who have thought about starting a business.

“Somebody in the community may have an idea or point of view that we have not considered before and we don’t want to work in a silo by ourselves. If community members have feedback, send it to us,” Ward said.

In a statement, Mayor Charles Snapp said what matters most moving forward is supporting local businesses, maintaining quality properties, and staying informed on tools that help them grow.

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