J.R. Shaw, Executive Director of Destination Rogers, was recently featured in a compelling interview as part of Medium's series “How To Create a Travel Experience That Keeps People Coming Back for More.”

With more than three decades in the hospitality industry and a decade leading tourism efforts in Northwest Arkansas, J.R. shares valuable insights into what makes a destination unforgettable. From leaning into authenticity to building scalable, emotional experiences, he emphasizes the power of local storytelling and strong community relationships.

This holiday season, locally-owned businesses in Downtown Rogers are ready to welcome you with open houses, festive shopping experiences, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. When you choose to shop and dine local, you’re giving back to the community in so many ways. Here’s why it matters:

Onyx Coffee Lab has launched a nostalgic and exciting collaboration with Peanuts, bringing together coffee lovers and fans of Charles M. Schulz’s iconic comic strip. This limited-edition Peanuts x Onyx advent calendar marks Onyx’s first specialty instant coffee release, providing an easy and festive way to savor 24 unique, high-quality coffees throughout December. 

The October Downtown Rogers Merchant Meet-Up brought together Downtown Rogers businesses at Honeycomb Kitchen Shop with refreshments provided by Butter & Bloom. DTR small business owners and staff gathered to learn about the significance of establishing a robust online presence. The event was organized by the Rogers Lowell Chamber, with Brittnie Simon, founder and owner of Collab Design Co., as the guest speaker.

Join the community for two unforgettable nights of modern art and connection in Downtown Rogers. Common Thread: Weaving Community Through Art is the first in a series of art exhibitions hosted by 2nd Street Studio, dedicated to building a vibrant community through art and a shared appreciation of our unique differences.

Event Details:

• Dates: August 23 and 24

• Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

• Location: 2nd St. Studio, 219 N 2nd Street, Rogers, AR

• Highlight: Look for the snake mural by @b_line_dot

Lasang Pinoy is set to open its doors at Proof Downtown, the innovative restaurant space located at 200 N 2nd Street, on Thursday, August 8! Proof Downtown, a visionary project by Canoe Concepts, provides a fully-equipped kitchen designed as a blank canvas for culinary creatives. This platform allows new restaurants to test and perfect their concepts with minimal risk. Founded by Rogers’ serial entrepreneur Hannah Cicioni, Proof Downtown supports and nurtures emerging culinary talent.

Girl Power: Women of the Ozarks is a collaborative art exhibit hosted by Ozark Beer Company and featuring female artists from the Ozark Mountain region of Arkansas. Their mission is to:

• spotlight local, female-identifying artists

• bring Northwest Arkansas meaningful art in various media

• provide an opportunity for our community to engage with local artists, and one another

Jessica Hester has been recognized as one of the ten outstanding Urban Land Institute women for her leadership and dedication to advancing gender equity in the commercial real estate industry. Her work as CEO/Founder/Principal Architect of VERDANT Studio, located in Downtown Rogers, reflects her commitment to shaping communities and enhancing quality of life. It's inspiring to see individuals like Hester making significant contributions to their industry and communities.

Urban Land Institute is a global network of professionals in every sector of real estate development and land use, from private enterprise to public service. ULI focuses on best practices in real estate development, housing, transportation, and related topics. Locally, ULI Northwest Arkansas serves as a trusted and relied-upon network of leaders advancing responsible land use and development. Locally and globally, the organization focuses on best practices in real estate development, housing, transportation, and related topics. 

Randy Wilburn, public speaker, communicator, storyteller and founder of I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast, recently recorded an interview with Lacie Bray of Ozark Beer Company from the Firmin Garner Performance Studio at KUAF Public Radio in Fayetteville.

Lacie shared the profound journey of entrepreneurship, community engagement, and brewing innovation in the heart of the Ozarks. Podcast listeners are told the tale of the brewery's genesis from an idea born amidst the scenic beauty of Walla Walla, Washington, to a flourishing community staple in downtown Rogers, Arkansas.

The Northwest Arkansas Jazz Society (NAJS) is hosting it’s next Jazz Jam Session at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, December 14 at Levi’s Gastrolounge & Lowbar at 224 S. 2nd Street,  in in Downtown Rogers. The house rhythm section will be the Jake Hertzog Trio, with musicians from the audience sitting in to jam.

Levi’s Gastrolounge has partnered with the NAJS to provide the perfect venue for a monthly jazz jam. Young musicians as well as seasoned pros share the bandstand for an evening of great music and plenty of surprises. This hip, basement bistro serves up great food and drink to complement the music, and it is free and open to all.

A new community-centric retail concept focused on bringing connection + conversation is coming to Downtown Rogers. The Parlour Room, located at 103 W Walnut Street, is the brainchild of the founders of two locally owned businesses that have roots in Downtown Rogers. Courtney Ulrich Smith and Dominic Smith, co-owners of Underbrush Books, and Jesse Weegins, founder and owner of American Estates, have partnered to bring The Parlour Room, a community-centric retail experience, to Downtown Rogers.

What’s Happening: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appreciation Day, celebrated on July 16, is a day to explore the latest advances in AI, and discover how it can help shape our future. So, what better time to showcase the talents of creative digital art practitioners than the July Art on the Bricks Art Walk. Join us as we share the talent of artists who work in the digital realm. Animators, illustrators, photographers, plasma cutters  and creative techies dabbling in AI art generators! Downtown Rogers Art on the Bricks Art Walk presents “Digitally Yours, A Celebration of Digital Art.” The community is invited to visit 20+ pop-up locations with digital and traditional art, live music and interactive art experiences, Thursday, July 13, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in Downtown Rogers.

A new mural in Downtown Rogers is being installed near the intersection of 2^nd and Walnut streets later this month. The installation will complement the arts, culture and quality of life experiences in Downtown Rogers. Stevie Stevens, a mixed media glass artisan based in Bella Vista, was awarded a Third Space Grant by the Rogers Lowell Chamber to create a public art piece to expand the arts, culture and quality of life experiences that correspond with the Downtown Rogers creative community.  

Music Moves is a music education nonprofit founded in Northwest Arkansas and committed to developing music programs and performances to share the extraordinary contributions of African Americans in all musical genres. Their mission is to provide opportunities to experience and appreciate the richness of Black music through educational programs for youth. African-American music is not just feel-good music produced through a multi-billion dollar industry – it is an original American art form and they are taking the next step opening The Music Depot, their first brick and mortar location in Downtown Rogers.

Call for Artists and Pet Related Vendors & Non Profits! May is National Pet Month and the May Art on the Bricks Art Walk in Downtown Rogers features Our Dog Friendly Downtown! Join us Thursday, May 11 for our dog friendliest event of the year! 

April is National Recycling Month and Earth Day is April 22. The April Downtown Rogers Art on the Bricks Art Walk is the perfect time to highlight art that is based on restoration and reuse. We are excited to share the works of than a dozen artists who created art that comes from items that are recycled or repurposed. We are also showcasing the works of dozens of other artists who bring beauty as well as socially and culturally significant messages to the community through art.

Art on the Bricks Art Walk is Thursday, April 13, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in locations throughout Downtown Rogers.

We can't believe it's almost been 1 year since Nola's Pantry opened their doors in Downtown Rogers! The specialty food shop and cafe is hosting a multi-day celebration for the community!   B-DAY Bash from Wednesday, March 15th to Saturday March 18th.