Page 36 - 2025 Van Buren Chamber Community Profile

QUALITY OF PLACE

Historic Downtown a Shopping, Dining Hub

The city’s unique blend of past and
present come together in Van Buren’s
historic downtown district. Classic buildings
demonstrate the area’s rich heritage, and
recent renovations and new additions to
the variety of businesses calling downtown
home represent the exciting progress
and investments being made to keep the
community vibrant and strong.
New businesses, including Fisher’s on
Main, Main Street Mercantile, and others
draw visitors and residents alike to their
unique shops. These and others have
welcomed a diverse group of new patrons
to the downtown area, resulting in increased
tax revenue and foot traffic year round.
Dining options have also expanded
downtown, with breakfast, lunch, dinner,
coffee, and dessert items among the varied
fare.
The Old Town Merchants
Association
The Old Town Merchants Association Residents riding the Downtown Trolley through Van Buren. Photo courtesy Van Buren A & P.
(TOTMA) is a driving force on Main Street.
The organization hosts a number of WE HAVE THE BEST
festivals and community events, including
Old Timers’ Day Steampunk Festival in SHAM SELECTION AND
May, Downtown JunkFest in September, LOWEST PRICES
and Food Truck Days have also been added ROCK 5609 Midland Blvd.,
Fall Festival, Halloween on Main Street,
and special Christmas celebrations.
Main Street Cruisin’ Nights, car shows

to the schedule in recent years. TOTMA WINE & LIQUOR Fort Smith
works year-round to promote its members
and provide unique opportunities for local WAREHOUSE
citizens and visitors to enjoy downtown. (479) 783-2076
View TOTMA’s full event calendar on
page 17 or at www.oldtownvanburen.com. www.shamrockliquorwarehouse.com
Downtown Trolley
To have an authentic, historic downtown
experience, visitors are encouraged 2025
2025
Community
FORT SMITH
to ride the city’s custom trolley. The H He er rm ma an nn n A Ar re ea a Community FORT SMITH 2024 2024
C Ch ha am mb be er r o of f
ofile
Community Profile
Pr
Community Profile
vintage-style car runs along Main Street, C Co om mm me er rc ce e Profile 4K 2 E E T E G A G E E T G E G A N N N M
2
4K
N
M
transporting passengers to shops, dining
establishments, and merchants along the
route. The car is featured in the annual
#Positively
#Positively POTEAU 2024
holiday parade. C Co om mm mu un ni it ty y G Gu ui id de e a an nd d O F C O M M ER C E Together Membership Directory
POTEAU 2024
F O RT S M I T H
Growing
Growing
R E G I O N A L
Membership Directory
M Me em mb be er rs sh hi ip p D Di ir re ec ct to or ry y
and Community Guide
and Community Guide
Together
Culture – Careers –
Operated by the Van Buren Advertising Culture – Careers –
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
& Promotion Commission, the iconic trolley T h e P r in t S ales & M ar ketin g E x per ts!
The Print Sales & Marketing Experts!
is a perfect fit in the downtown landscape.
Rides are free for all passengers. Regular Speck Publishing Speck Publishing A d am S pe c k J o hn S pe c k
John Speck
Adam Speck
trolley hours are Wednesday and Friday from
LLC
9:30 AM to 2:00 PM and Saturday, 9:00 AM LL C 479.650.3279 479.226.2448
to 5:00 PM. Narrated history tours are also adam@speckpublishing.com john@speckpublishing.com
available. Learn more at www.vanburen.org
36 Van Buren Chamber 2025 Community Profile vanburenchamber.org