TRANSITIONS

LITTLE ROCK — The sudden sprouting of “for lease” signs at

Cheeburger Cheeburger, Pleasant Ridge Town Center, 11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, prompted a sudden sprouting of phone calls and email messages from customers and casual passers-by. Yes, the restaurant has closed, and its telephone number, (501) 490-2433, has been disconnected. Developer Lou Schickel, who operates the upscale west Little Rock shopping center, also confirmed the closing, and said he has had “a lot of lookers” at the space (believe it or not, he has 11 restaurant or restaurant spaces in that center), and he’s looking for a tenant “who will be good for the center more than topdollar rent.”

And speaking of downed burger places, all corporate Arkansas locations of

Back Yard Burgers

were shut down last weekend. The company released this statement: “We regret having to close our company-owned restaurants inArkansas. Like any responsible company during these challenging times, Back Yard Burgers is conducting a comprehensive review of its business to ensure the company is operating efficiently and positioned for future growth. We remain committed to continuing to provide highquality, freshly prepared, greattasting food to our customers in the other markets we serve and are pleased to report that Back Yard Burgers franchise-owned locations remain in Arkansas.” Franchise outlets remain in Bryant, Benton, Fayetteville, Hot Springs and Rogers.

As of our Tuesday deadline, the folks at

Bruno’s Italian Bistro, 315 N. Bowman Road, Little Rock, were expecting to have their on-premises wine and beer permit in place by Wednesday. The restaurant hours have also changed; they’re now 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.Meanwhile, Sam Brelvukas, who owns

Due Amiche

in Conway, called to clarify, based on a mention of his restaurant in a recent review of the bistro, that while Bruno Beqiri, the new restaurant’s Bruno, worked for him for three or four months, he has never been involved in the Due Amiche ownership.

JP’s Chop House, in the Hotel Seville, 302 N. Main St. (U.S. 62/65 N.), Harrison, is closing Saturday, according to an e-mail message sent to customers, having “completed its test period.” The message adds that the socalled “concept restaurant” was “successful in proving that there is a demand for upscale food, alcohol sales and appropriate service and atmosphere in Harrison, Ark.” Hours for its last evenings: 5-9. Call the hotel to make reservations for parties of five or more: (870) 741-2321.

A word or two of friendly warning: If you’ve ever dropped into your favorite Saturday morning eating establishment on the morning of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, you already know that just about every business that serves food fills to bursting with folks after the race is over. Even places that don’t normally open that early or on Saturday get in on the bonanza, including the

Victorian Garden, 4801 North Hills Blvd., North Little Rock, which will be offering its usual Saturday brunch 90 minutes early, at 9 a.m., “to let hungry runners, families and friends enjoy breakfast a little earlier.” The restaurant will donate $1 to the Race for the Cure for every patron wearing a race shirt. Check out the menu at victoriangarden.biz; call (501) 758-4299 or email margie@victoriangarden. biz for information and reservations.

The Little Rock outlet of

Chipotle

is among the chain’s restaurants celebrating Halloween with its annual Boorito event. Guests who come in from 4-11 p.m. in costume on Oct. 31, which is, of course, Halloween, can score a $2 burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos; all proceeds nationwide, up to $1 million, will benefit Chipotle’s Cultivate Foundation. Call (501) 221-0018 or visit chipotle.com/ boorito.

And

Panera Bread

outlets in central and Northwest Arkansas are once again honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month with “Pink Ribbon Bagels,” ribbon-shaped bagels made with cherry chips, dried cherries and cranberries, vanilla, honey and brown sugar. A portion (25 cents) of the purchase price of each bagel goes to breast cancer causes - in Fort Smith, Fayetteville and Bentonville, to the Komen for the Cure, Ozark Affiliate; in Little Rock and North Little Rock, to the Baptist Health Women’s Resource Center.