







Albert Einstein said, “Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.” This month, we are honored to feature men who have become both - beginning with the incredibly talented Matt McLeod who lends his “Dappled Ride” to our cover. Matt transforms everyday moments into the extraordinary through the use of energetic color. Read more about him and his work in “Turning the Mundane into Magic.”
When considering businessmen who have brought great value to our community, we automatically think of Jack, Glenn and Aaron Grimes - three generations whose hard work and determination have made Capitol Glass Company a fixture in Little Rock for three-quarters of a century. Read about the history of this fascinating family business in “75 Years of Serving Little Rock.”
Next, we are thrilled to feature the exquisite work of award-winning wood sculpture artist Jarrod Flowers. Since graduating from Pulaski Academy in 2011, Jarrod has experienced a decade of adventures — which led him right back home — ready to carve out a new chapter for his family. You won’t believe the beautiful pieces he creates — with a chainsaw. Read all about it in “Carved By Heart.”
We are delighted to introduce you to Don Nichols. When we call Don “Piano Man,” we aren’t exaggerating. Don’s company, Piano Specialists of Arkansas, is dedicated to tuning, moving, repairing and rehoming pianos throughout the state.
As the summer travel season begins, we’d like to invite you to jet off with us (vicariously, of course) to the most appropriate vacation spot we could think of for our Men’s Issue — Paws Up Montana. This luxury ranch resort will make your cowboy dreams come true while embracing modern luxury. Read all about it in “So You Want to Be a Cowboy.”
And, speaking of cowboys, you’ll definitely thank us for the Cowboy Burger with Peach Habanero Sauce recipe that Tay Stratton, Owner of Fennel & Fire, shares this month. It’s the perfect Father’s Day meal!
Friends, we hope you have a wonderful June filled with fun, adventure and lots of memory-making. And to all of the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, fur-fathers and father figures out there, Happy Father’s Day!
STEPHANIE HASBROUCK, PUBLISHER @LITTLEROCKCITYLIFESTYLE
PUBLISHER
Stephanie Hasbrouck
stephanie.hasbrouck@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Anna Yanosick | anna.yanosick@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Katie Bode | katie.bode@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Anna Yanosick, Katherine Jones, Tay Stratton, Stephanie Hasbrouck, Chelsea Lyn Agro
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Sarah Bussey Photography, Davis Photography by Chris
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
Thank you to the devoted readers, talented team, incomparable advertising partners and inspiring artists, who make our publication exceptional. We look forward to many more years serving this beautiful community.
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Celebrating one year of
Stanley is central Arkansas’ most trusted name in jewelry, and Laura Stanley is proud to continue the family tradition. A 3rd generation jeweler, she specializes in custom design, personal shopping for just the right piece, estate jewelry, or re-designing those pieces that just aren’t working for you anymore. Working by appointment is a private and personal experience, and once you visit her salon, you’ll feel the difference! Laura’s passion for fine jewelry comes through with every project.
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Little Rock’s Juneteenth in Da Rock celebration, organized and hosted by the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, will take place from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, June 21. Enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, a 5K run, a vibrant street festival and much more. Celebrate freedom, culture and community at the biggest Juneteenth festival in Arkansas. For more information, visit arkansasheritage.com/juneteenth.
Global packaging company Elopak recently opened its first ever U.S. carton converting plant in Little Rock. The $100-million, state-of-the-art factory will produce PurePak cartons for liquid dairy products, juices, plant-based drinks and liquid eggs.
“Demand for our low-carbon, sustainable cartons in North America has been growing at an unprecedented rate for several years. This new factory will serve both new and existing customers across the United States, reaching millions of Americans every day,” says Elopak CEO Thomas Körmendi.
The Little Rock Regional Chamber recently hosted a ribbon cutting celebrating ARTX Cryogen. ARTX Cryogen is a leading provider of high-pressure cryotherapy solutions, offering safe, effective and reproducible treatments for chronic and acute pain management. ARTX Cryogen’s targeted treatment delivers precise cold therapy directly to injured areas, maximizing the body’s natural healing response. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit artxcryogen.com
Founded in Little Rock in 2020, WorkHarder is known for our quality equipment, supportive community, and unbeatable atmosphere. Whether it’s your first time in the gym or you’re a competitive athlete, we have the tools and trainers to help you achieve your goals.
CAPITOL GLASS COMPANY CELEBRATES MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY AND THREE GENERATIONS OF EXCELLENCE
For three quarters of a century, Capitol Glass Company has been a fixture in downtown Little Rock. Though the products and processes may have changed throughout the years, one thing has remained steadfast – the family who founded it.
Three generations of Grimes men have devoted their careers to the company, which Jack Grimes began in 1950 after returning home from serving in World War II. Jack joined the Navy at age 17 and was a gunner aboard the USS Liscome Bay, which was sunk as a result of a torpedo strike. Many officers and men lost their lives. Jack was one of only 272 to be rescued.
“My grandfather floated in the ocean for a few days before he was rescued. He was taken to the hospital at Pearl Harbor and could have opted for discharge, but he chose to return,” says Aaron Grimes.
Jack was next stationed on the USS Missouri and was aboard the ship when Japan formally surrendered to the Allied Powers in September of 1945. He can be seen in the historic photograph of the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender.
Jack was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1949, returned to Little Rock and began Capitol Glass Company less than a year later.
Jack’s son, Glenn, was born in 1954, and after being raised in the family business, the natural next step was to help run it. He graduated from high school on a Friday evening in 1972 and began work the following Monday.
“There was never any doubt about what I was going to do,” Glenn says. “All I ever wanted to do was work at the shop with my dad.”
With two hard-working role models leading the way, Aaron says he couldn’t help but follow in their footsteps.
“I can remember, as a kid, coming to work with my dad and grandpa. At 5, 6, 7-years old, I’d ride to work with them, and my mom would come get me a couple of hours later.”
Aaron worked at Capitol Glass during the summers as a teenager and set out to blaze his own trail when he graduated from high school. He opened S & G Extreme Marine and Imperial Ride Shop – both proving to be successful in their own rights
- but decided in 2013 to go back to school and earn a pharmacy degree. In 2017, he began working as a pharmacist at CHI St. Vincent. But after the challenges of Covid, Aaron decided to return to Capitol Glass fulltime in 2022. He still works part-time as a pharmacist, but says he felt the need to continue the family business so that one day his children, Mackenzie, Ryder and Aspen, can be a part of it.
“If there is the possibility that my kids can inherit a 100-year-old business, that’s amazing.”
Glenn says he is proud that his son is continuing the family’s legacy. “Aaron is an only child, so the fact that he has decided to carry on our tradition is very rewarding to me.”
As for the values the men before him have instilled, Aaron says, “My grandfather is a World War II veteran, and my dad is the hardest working person ever. He doesn’t stop. I just try to keep up and do my part. Hopefully, my little ones will do the same one day.”
The oldest locally owned-and-operated glass company in Central Arkansas, Capitol Glass has established a strong reputation for delivering quality glass work throughout the region. Technicians with more than 200 years of combined experience repair and replace windshields, sunroofs and side mirrors, repair power windows and calibrate Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) with the most advanced testing and calibration tools available.
What sets Capitol Glass apart from its competitors? “It’s our customer service and the quality of our work,” Aaron says. “We do things the right way and do not cut corners. We try to go above and beyond. That’s why we work with all of the luxury car dealerships, and they refer work to us,” he says.
“If you’re coming to us, you’re already having a bad day. We try to make it as pleasant of an experience as we can.”
For more information about Capitol Glass Company, visit capitolglassinc.com .
Wood Sculpture Artist Jarrod Flowers Is Carving Out a New Chapter
ARTICLE BY KATHERINE JONES PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BUSSEY PHOTOGRAPHY
Since graduating from Pulaski Academy in 2011, Jarrod Flowers has played football, moved across the country, gotten married and had four children. He’s grown fresh food in his own gardens, built landscapes and traveled the country in a 12-passenger van.
And along the way, he’s also become an award-winning wood sculpture artist.
After a decade of adventure, Jarrod is back in Arkansas, ready to carve out a new chapter for his family.
After high school, Jarrod played football briefly at Ouachita Baptist before transferring to Mendocino College in northern California, where he met his wife Savannah. They stayed in the area and started a family, traveling often and selling vegetables and garden boxes at local farmers markets.
It was at one of those markets in 2020 that Jarrod met Mark Colp, a nationally recognized wood sculptor. Mark commissioned Jarrod with a backyard project, and when it wrapped up, his work had made an impression. With a push from his wife, Mark offered to be a mentor in the art of wood carving.
“I didn’t grow up with a father figure, and Mark became that for me,” Jarrod says. “His consistency
as a person, as a man, someone who said, ‘I’m gonna do this,’ and he did it. That really struck a chord with me because I had never had that. He became my best friend at that time and someone who I really looked up to.”
After months of training, Mark invited Jarrod to join him at a prominent carving competition in Libby, Mont., an invitation-only event for the top carvers in the world. Jarrod could bring pieces to sell, but he knew he would be there primarily as an assistant to Mark and the other competitors, shoveling sawdust and delivering materials.
He completed that assignment with glowing reviews and was invited back in 2021 as a stand-in, only able to compete if someone dropped out. His opportunity arrived, and in his first-ever quick carve competition, Jarrod placed fourth, earned the People’s Choice award and sold his piece at the
highest auction price of the weekend. In 2022, he was invited back on his own.
“[This was] before I was even good, just winging it,” Jarrod says of his debut. “I worked harder than everybody else. I was younger, I can hold a saw in my hand longer. I had really good tutelage, and I prepped really well.”
Hardworking, creative and drawn to the outdoors, wood sculpture has turned out to be a natural fit for Jarrod. Since the 2022 event in Libby, he’s been invited to world-class events across the country, winning awards, selling work and gaining recognition within the carving community.
In 2024, Jarrod and Savannah decided to come back to Arkansas, and the move has been a great choice for their family.
“We love it; they love it,” Jarrod says. “[My wife] was skeptical and now she’s like, ‘We’re not leaving.’ She loves this place. I love the fact that my kids are really having a good time, making friends.”
As a new chapter begins, Jarrod has his sights set on cultivating new mediums and opportunities to continue his career as a sculptor.
Follow Jarrod and his work on Instagram @carvedbyheart .
ARTICLE BY ANNA YANOSICK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BUSSEY PHOTOGRAPHY
Don Nichols Is Devoted to Moving, Tuning, Repairing and Saving the Area’s Piano Population
Worship leader Don Nichols is turning Arkansas’ unused pianos into instruments of joy as the founder of Piano Specialists of Arkansas. The company offers tuning, moving, repairs and even piano adoption to ensure everyone can make music.
“It is my passion for everyone to enjoy making music as much as I do,” Don says.
That passion was sparked in junior high and led him to Oklahoma Baptist University, where he trained to become a church worship leader.
Over two decades ago, Don began working in music retail, managing Little Rock Piano for eight years until the store closed at the end of 2024.
When a tornado struck and damaged the store’s delivery truck, Don didn’t miss a beat, buying his own trailer and customizing it for moving pianos. He already had been handling deliveries on the side, but this moment became a turning point.
Since its inception, Piano Specialists of Arkansas has grown from a few moves a month to an average of 45.
“The recipient can be assured the piano has been checked out by a knowledgeable piano person and has been repaired and tuned by a reputable tech,” Don says.
Don has a soft spot for instruments with history. His company takes in pianos from families who no longer need them, sparing them the hassle of selling and offering a second life for these cherished pieces.
“I hate to throw away a good instrument,” Don says.
Among Don’s trusted collaborators is Derick Clausen, a gifted piano tuner who was born blind.
“He tunes using only a tuning fork for his starting pitch and his ears,” Don says. “This results in a beautiful, smooth tuning.”
He met Derick at Piano Kraft, located in downtown Little Rock, which is now closed, where Don used to teach piano classes.
“The owner of that store also had a moving and tuning business,” Don says. “When he decided to close his store and move out of state, I bought his phone number from him and also inherited Derick.”
Don also partners with a team of skilled technicians for voicing, regulation, action repairs and detailing. But what sets his team apart isn’t just technical expertise; it’s heart.
Don says that while technique, strength and knowledge are essential to a piano move, a genuine love for the instrument is what makes it great.
“I love hearing how a customer has a new joy in playing a quality piano that I have helped them find, or in repairing a family piano to its original tone,” Don says. “You don’t have to be a performer to enjoy music.”
FOR THE BURGERS: INSTRUCTIONS: TOPPINGS:
• 3 pounds ground chuck beef or ground bison
• 2 brioche buns
• 2 Tbsp Fennel & Fire Cowboy Rub
• 2 oz. goat cheese
• 2 strips of bacon-cut in thirds
• Fresh peach-cut in thin slices
• 5-6 fresh spinach or arugula leaves
FOR THE GLAZE:
• 1/4 cup Maria’s Home Made peach habanero jam
• 1 Tbsp Pickapeppa sauce
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Fennel & Fire Cowboy Blend
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Set ground chuck out for 10 minutes. Divide in half. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp Cowboy Rub onto the half. Gently fold meat over to create a patty. Repeat with the other half.
3. Heat cast-iron skillet to medium-high. Cook bacon. Remove bacon and drain on a paper towel.
4. Turn heat down to medium. Add burgers to the hot cast-iron skillet. Cook three to five minutes per side.
5. Once both sides are golden crisp, remove from the skillet, place in a casserole dish and move to preheated oven for five minutes or until internal temp reaches 135 degrees for a medium-rare burger. While burgers are in the oven, toast buns and make glaze.
GLAZING STEP:
Add peaches to cast iron. Cook one and a half to two minutes per side. Remove peaches. Reduce temperature to low. Add jam, vinegar, pickapeppa and 1 Tbsp of Cowboy Rub to the skillet. Scrape the skillet to clean bits off the bottom. Mix together ingredients for 30 seconds to one minute. Remove skillet from the heat. Once burgers are cooked to desired temperature, add them back to the skillet with the glaze. Spoon glaze over burgers. Add goat cheese on top. Tent with aluminum foil until the cheese is gooey.
ASSEMBLE:
Place burger on toasted Brioche bun, top with peaches, bacon and spinach. Sprinkle with Fennel & Fire Fire Salt to taste.
DISCOVER THE WHIMSY OF THE WEST AT PAWS UP MONTANA
Favorably referred to as the “Last Best Place” and the “Treasure State,” Montana has captured the hearts of cinematic cowboys like Taylor Sheridan and Harrison Ford and inspired the television series, “Yellowstone” and its prequels, “1883” and “1923.” Though fictional, they’ve reminded America of its deeply-rooted spirit for adventure and the simple yet rugged way of life that we all crave. Whether its the backdrop of jagged, snowcapped peaks or the endless golden pastures that are peppered with livestock, this Rocky Mountain soil is a breeding ground for dreamers and doers, and the people who call it home are no strangers to the ritual of ranch life.
So, you want to be a cowboy? Slipping on some leather and having a little hide in your hat are good ways to start, but visiting a resort that brings the best of this life to the forefront, while also embracing modern luxury, is the experience of a lifetime.
Paws Up Montana sprawls the distance of 37,000 private acres of historic estateland, which houses a working ranch and 10 miles of Blackfoot river. Personalization is key—a divine selection of cuisine for the foodies, awe-inspiring activities for the adrenaline seekers, and world-class lodging that tickles every fancy from stargazing glamping, to timber-style family dwellings, to the uniquely designed green “o hauses” that invite the outside world in.
CHELSEA LYN AGRO PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
To change your attitude, you need a change in altitude. Gain some speed or turn up the adrenaline level with ATV tours, electric biking, mountain biking, go-karts, paintball, rappelling down Lookout Rock or whitewater rafting down the Blackfoot River. Indulge in the western art of living with archery, fly-fishing, hiking or sporting clays. For those who want to immerse themselves in the language of horses, there are horse-related adventures such as lessons, grooming or feeding, horse-whispering workshops or organized trails rides. Riders can also enjoy cattle drives that bring you back to yesteryear—driving a herd of cattle across the famed landscape—and bear witness to mustang gentling, where the Equestrian Manager communicates with a wild horse through body language and tone of voice. Skyline Aerial Adventure Park is another notable warm-weather activity, taking guests on two high-ropes courses.
Luxury Homes are categorized into preference-based properties that boast the thrill of wilderness living. For larger families and multigenerational groups, consider the Wilderness Estates. At 3,250-square-feet, these estates sleep up to eight guests and feature three large suites with private baths. The Big Timber Homes are available in one-tothree bedroom options and come ornamented with fire places and private decks. The Meadow Homes are 1,100-square-foot single-story homes that sleep up to four guests, situated amid a pastoral and treed setting. For an extra nod of perfection, choose one of the luxury homes that comes equipped with a private tent—ideal for anyone traveling with children (or adults who beckon back their childhood!).
For a more primitive experience, Glamping Homes offer the right amount of canvas to create a close-to-nature experience. Available mid-May through mid-October, choose from river settings to creeksides, bluffs or cliffs. Each tent is adorned with something unique—a copper tub, a picturesque view of Lewis and Clark’s famous Lookout Rock and Western-chic furniture throughout. Zip down the windows to allow for the cool nightly breeze, yet enjoy the modern convenience of electricity. Each campsite has a dining pavilion. And don’t miss the s’mores boards around the communal fire pit, offered by your own s’moresologist— yes, you read that right, and yea, it’s a thing.
Lastly, but certainly not least, are the state-ofthe-art accommodations of the Green O hauses. This portion of the property is completely curated for those 21 years of age and older. It’s a resort within a resort, a hidden pearl in an oyster of experience. The Tree Haus is elevated 23 feet in the air and offers unparalleled forest views. The Green Haus includes a skylight above the bed for an unmatched view of pluck-em-from-the-sky stars. The Round Haus has curved, floor-to-ceiling windows that offer 180-degree panoramic views. Both the Green and Round Hauses are dog friendly, too, so Fido can rest in the lap of luxury. The Light Haus is illuminated by skylights and unique glass design.
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INJECTIONS (XEOMIN, DYSPORT) Your Living Room is the new Waiting Room
| CHEMICAL PEELS | DERMAPLANING
IF YOU ARE READING THIS... SO IS YOUR BEST CLIENT. 2 OUT OF 3 of our readers regularly purchase from our ads.
Montana’s best kept secret? Our hideaway chefs, making waves from the Montana wilderness. Chef Brandon Cunningham, Executive Chef at the Green O, is a James Beard Award finalist whose creations at the Social Haus are highly curated through an 8-course tasting menu. Other highly trained and talented chefs like Chef Brett Edlund, Chef Ben Scott, Executive Pastry Chef Krystle Swenson, and Sunny Jin, the General Manager of Food and Beverage, are part of the intricate patchwork of the culinary experience at Pomp, Trough, Shed, Camp and the notable Chuck Wagon—a summertime treat where guests can ride a hay wagon along the banks of the Blackfoot River for an Old West-inspired chuck wagon dinner. The menu ranges from all-natural chicken and Tomahawk ribeye to fresh vegetables grilled over an open flame campfire.
Airport: Missoula Montana Airport (MSO) Airport transfers from Missoula are complimentary for guests and all luxury home and Green O accommodations come with a Lexus luxury SUV for transportation use on property.
ARTIST MATT MCLEOD’S ENERGETIC COLOR TRANSFORMS ORDINARY IMAGES INTO SOMETHING SPECIAL
Matt McLeod, known for his bold murals and vivid paintings, breathes life into the mundane across Central Arkansas using a signature approach he calls “energetic color.”
“I am most inspired to take a mundane image, something that I may have walked past several times a day, and transform it into something truly visually special,” Matt says.
“Dappled Ride,” on the cover this month, features cyclists gliding through a forest, filled with “energetic color,” which Matt captures by contrasting warm and cool tones.
“I believe we all share a common energy. We share a life force, an essence, a common spirituality,” Matt says. “I am most interested in trying to capture a visual sense of that energy with my paintings.”
Some of Matt’s 10 murals include “Beneath the Surface” on 6th and Main Street and “Where Care, Love and Hope Are Naturally Abundant” within Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.
To see more of Matt’s work, visit artgrouparkansas.com
At Meridian, my goal is to help you design a customized retirement plan that strengthens your business and supports your employees’ future. Our independent approach lets us tailor features, vendors, and investments to match your goals—so you can attract top talent and boost retirement readiness across your team. With our proven process, your ideal plan becomes a reality. For a free plan design consultation and fee benchmarking report, call or email me today.
JUNE 1ST
Beatles Vs. StonesA Musical Showdown
Robinson Center | 6:30 PM
Witness an exhilarating musical showdown between tribute bands to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. For tickets, visit ticketmaster.com
JUNE 7TH
World Cheese Dip
Championship & Foam Fest
Arkansas Travelers & Dickey-Stephens Park | 12:00 PM
The World Cheese Dip Championship and the former Foam Fest Craft Beer Festival collaborate for a cheese dip competition and a beer sampling event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit harmonyclinicar.org/ world-cheese-dip-championship
JUNE 7TH
SoMa After Dark
SoMa | 4:00 PM
Celebrate the vibrant culture of Little Rock’s SoMa district at SoMa After Dark. Enjoy a night filled with local vendors, food and festivities. For more information, visit somalittlerock.com
JUNE 8TH
Hometown Half Marathon
River Front Park | 7:00 AM
Run the annual, family-friendly Hometown Half Marathon & 5k/10k. Register at runsignup.com and receive a custom bib, a designer shirt and a finisher medal.
JUNE 21ST
Juneteenth in Da Rock 5K Walk/Run
West 9th Street | 7:00 AM
Join the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center for the fourth annual Juneteenth in Da Rock 5k Walk/Run. Admire the city’s African American historical sites, like Arkansas Baptist College and Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. For tickets, visit raceroster.com
JUNE 27TH
The SoMa Main Street Mile
SoMA | 7:30 PM
Don’t miss the SoMa Main Street Mile, featuring a Kids Mini Mile, Open Mile and the Elite Mile, presented by Blue Rose Running in partnership with Little Rock Roadrunners and SoMa 501. For tickets, visit runsignup.com.
to be
RECENT WORK BY ARKANSAS ARTISTS
BAY AND KYLE BOSWELL
Opening Reception Saturday, June 14, 6-9 p.m.
Exhibition runs through July 5. Conversation with the Artists Thursday, June 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Tue-Fri 11 to 5, Sat 11 to 3 and by appointment 1501 S. Main Street, Suite H, Little Rock, AR 501.454.6969 | www.boswellmourot.com
For more than a century, Arkansans have trusted the expert surgical teams at Baptist Health. And through the years, we’ve excelled at performing one specific surgery. Heart surgery. Orthopedic surgery. Neurosurgery. Breast cancer surgery. And any surgical challenge you face. That’s because at Baptist Health, we put all our effort into perfecting one very particular type of surgery. Yours.