Unlike many rural downtowns that are crumbling and decaying, struggling to compete with the popularity of outlet malls and promenades, Mena’s downtown is reviving and thriving with extensive remodels and capital improvements. Once vacant buildings have come alive with new commerce.
Reviving & Thriving Downtown & More... Mena Street serves as the gateway to the scenic Talimena National Byway that leads directly to the Queen’s front door and gives guests and locals a plethora of culture, shopping, and dining opportunities. Much of the revitalization can be attributed to the visions of the Arkansas Regional Coalition of the Ouachitas, who actively began spearheading the campaign in 2011. A $1.3 million streetscape project is now complete and adds to the entire experience of shopping with new sidewalks boasting quaint light posts reminiscent of a time gone by and, of course, benches for a quick rest! Flanked by Sherwood Avenue and DeQueen Street, the shopping and dining are not excluded to Mena Street alone but encompasses several blocks on either side of Hwy 71. The budding arts district located in the heart of town continues to grow, offering new events and activities throughout the year… and proving to be a destination in and of itself. Theatre, arts, shopping, and antiquing… who knew you could pack so much in two square blocks? Mena Street is steep in tradition, too, with a number of businesses who have weathered both the decline and the revitalization first hand. Guests and locals alike will quickly tell you that no visit is complete without dining at the Skyline Café that first opened its doors in 1922, and has been featured in numerous state and national publications. Coast to Coast Home & Hardware store is located on the south end of Mena Street and has been delivering personalized service 7 days a week since 1946. Another corner-