TRANSITIONS

In case you missed the squib in Tuesday's paper by estimable Business section reporter Glen Chase, Boscos Restaurant and Brewing Co., in the Museum Center, 500 President Clinton Ave., and a River Market fixture since 2003, closed Sunday. Andrew Feinstone, a manager and co-owner of the Memphis-based company, said Monday that declining sales took a toll, causing the company to decide to "focus on other projects." He cited nearby construction projects, including the Arcade Building across the street and the rebuilding of the First Security Amphitheater behind, and an increase in the number of competing restaurants, for the drop in business. Feinstone told Chase his company is helping the more than 30 full- and part-time workers who lost their jobs find other work; other area restaurants have already approached him seeking potential staff. And the company is already looking for someone to take over the location, including its brewing equipment; he has already had some "nibbles."

Arkansas' first Potbelly Sandwich Shop franchise was set to open Wednesday in the Park Avenue shopping center, 314 S. University Ave., in Little Rock's midtown. Ryan Hamra, who also runs North Little Rock's Blue Coast Burrito, holds the franchise from the Chicago-based company with general manager and business partner Mark Needler. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. The phone number is (501) 660-4441; visit Potbelly.com or tinyurl.com/kqt9fnw.

When staff member Rosemary Boggs reviewed Wee Betty's Cafe in February, she noted it might soon move from its then-location, 1336 John Hardin Drive, Jacksonville, to larger quarters. That, in fact, has transpired. The restaurant is now at 9B Crestview Plaza, Jacksonville, across the parking lot from the revenue office. They'll still be serving a full Irish breakfast every day as well as fish and chips and bangers and mash, but at new hours: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. The phone number remains (501) 765-3531; visit facebook.com/WeeBettysCafe.

Co-owner Jacqueline Pittman says everything is in place, including the necessary permits, for Pizzeria Santa Lucia to hold its grand opening Oct. 10 on the south side of Terry's Finer Foods, 5018 Kavanaugh Blvd. in Little Rock's Pulaski Heights. (facebook.com/pizzeriasantaluciaLR). We're told the business' former phone number, (501) 666-1885, is in the process of being transferred to the big, new bar.

Rosalinda Restaurant Hondureno is moving in November from 3700 John F. Kennedy Blvd., in North Little Rock's Park Hill, to the former Dixie Pig location, 900 W. 35th St., in North Little Rock's Levy neighborhood, just off the Levy exit of Interstate 40. The family that owns it bought the building, as opposed to the current location, which they rent. Hours will be 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Tuesday (they'll close on Wednesdays); they're keeping the same Honduran menu and the same phone number, (501) 771-5559.

Jay Baxter, the progenitor of Jay's Pizza in the Ottenheimer Market Hall in Little Rock's River Market, is transforming the former cottage at 538 W. Grand Ave., Hot Springs, that once housed Mollie's Restaurant, which closed in March 2009 after 63 years in business, into Jay's Hot Springs. In advance of a Nov. 1 target opening date, he has been scraping down and repainting the house's most recent "glossy purple, black, and gold" color scheme. He won't be serving pizza -- "I'm keeping Jay's Pizza in the River Market for now," he says, "but I want to bring back Mollie's Reuben, add a few different panini [sandwiches], a few different burgers. Fried calamari. Basket stuff at lunch." When Oaklawn is up and running, he's looking to open for dinner, 5-10 p.m. every night, and then staying open for dinner Thursday-Saturday with a predominantly Italian menu, homemade desserts and possibly adult sno-cones (made with Frangelica, Bailey's and Kahlua).

Longtime residents, particularly barbecue fans, will no doubt remember The Shack, on the northwest corner of West Third and Victory streets. Well, apparently, "the Shack is back," according to the website, theshackisback.com, which promises "the original Arkansas BAR-B-Q shop" is coming to 402 E. Third St. in Little Rock's River Market District, briefly the home of Hot Dog Mike. We don't have a target date or any other details; a call to the listed phone number, (501) 404-2020, returned a voicemail message saying they'd be opening soon.

To mark becoming the first Arkansas restaurant to carry Merry Edwards wines, Cache, President Clinton and River Market avenues, Little Rock, will hold a five-course Tasting Dinner with the winemaker, Merry Edwards, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11. Edwards and Chef Payne Harding will pair each dish with one or more of Edwards' wines. The winery, in California's Russian River Valley (merryedwards.com), makes sauvignon blanc, several pinot noirs and a chardonnay. Cost is $150; availability is limited and reservations are required. Call (501) 850-0265 or email events@cachelittlerock.com.

Has a restaurant opened -- or closed -- near you in the last week or so? Does your favorite eatery have a new menu? Is there a new chef in charge? Drop us a line. Call (501) 399-3667 or (501) 378-3513, or send a note to Restaurants, Weekend Section, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Send email to:

eharrison@arkansasonline.com

Weekend on 10/02/2014

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