The third-annual Christmas on Broadway celebration was held in Smackover Saturday, bringing residents to the city’s main thoroughfare for a holiday party.
Katrina Embry, vice president at the Smackover Chamber of Commerce, said the event speaks to the economic development and growth Smackover has seen in the last few years.
“I think our school has a lot to do with it, because people want to come here,” Embry said. “We had a good turnout this time. Everybody came out.”
Even as night settled over the city, Smackover residents crowded Broadway Street, shopping and waiting for the lighting of the city’s central Christmas tree. Embry noted that rain hampered attendance at last year’s event, so seeing so many residents out Saturday was heartening.
Embry said she is happy to see the city growing so much. Several new businesses have opened on Broadway in the past few years, and they’ve seen success there. Lisa Lindsey, owner of The Hen’s Nest and The Speckled Rooster, said business was good this weekend.
“We’ve been doing good. We’ve had steady customers all day,” Lindsey said. “With so many stores, its been better.”
Her daughter, Rachel Shearman, helped out at the Hen’s Nest Saturday. She said this is the first year she has seen a lot of stores participate in what has become a shopping-local-themed event.
“There are a lot more options, and even a lot more food options,” she said. “There have been a lot more families that have come in; usually it’s just women, but now they’re bringing their whole families.”
Small business Saturday, which was last weekend, Nov. 30, also brought lots of business, she said; it didn’t slow this weekend’s customers however. She said she was busy Friday and Saturday this week, at both the Hen’s Nest and the Speckled Rooster.
Alexis Deal, a member of the Smackover Chamber’s Board of Directors and an Arkansas-transplant originally from Utah, said in the few years she’s lived here, she’s seen the town grow a lot.
“Now we’ve got quite a few stores down here,” she said. “Smackover’s finally growing!”
Even freelancers are doing well in Smackover. Members of the First Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ in Smackover are holding their annual bake sale, which many members of the church participate in. Even after a store owner that previously let them sell their baked goods at his store asked them to stop, they are still going strong.
“We have people that call and want to know where the pies are,” said Nancy Smith, a member of the church. “Our customers moved with us.”
Kayla Bethea, a Smackover resident, was in attendance with her friends and their children and her Yorkie, Piper Grace. She said she enjoyed supporting local businesses at Christmas on Broadway Saturday.
“Definitely love supporting local all the time,” she said.
Embry said she is glad Smackover is being seen in a new light.
“I’m so glad people are choosing to come to Smackover,” she said. “We’ve got the hometown feeling… I’m so happy the townspeople came out to support our local businesses.”
Those interested in purchasing baked goods from the Apostolic Church’s bake sale should contact Smith at 870-918-1313.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].