JONESBORO — Lots of good things are happening in Jonesboro’s Historic Downtown Business District, including the coming of a Bennigan’s restaurant, said Kent Arnold of Arnold Group Real Estate.

“There’s a lot going on here,” said Arnold, who has his offices and residence in the traditional business district. “It takes 10 years to become an overnight success, and for the downtown district, this is the 10th year. ...

“Downtown Jonesboro has definitely become a destination location for eclectic shops and eateries. It has really come alive and is a cultural asset to the city. When we recruit potential commercial prospects for the city, one of the things that they look for is quality of life and community. Downtown Jonesboro has created a pedestrian community in the city that is unparalleled. And the quality of life has certainly been improved by the $50 million worth of private investment over the past 10 years.”

Among the success stories: Godsey’s will double the size of its restaurant to 5,000 square feet with the purchase of the building next door known as The Drummers Pad, Arnold said.

“I never imagined when we opened Godsey’s Grill that there would not be enough seating,” said Lisa Godsey, co-owner of Godsey’s with Grey Hurt. “We have always wanted the food down here to be great, drinks to be cold and service to be outstanding.”

But almost from the beginning the restaurant didn’t have enough space and always seemed to have a long waiting list. They had to begin asking folks to schedule reservations.

“People just came and wanted to stay,” Arnold said.

“I am extremely excited about the expansion,” Godsey said. “I can’t wait.”

She said the double brick wall between the two buildings will be partially removed for an expansion of the bar and joining of the two dining areas. She said the renovation will double of the size of the kitchen and allow installation of an all new oven.

“The expansion not only will have additional seating but will allow for a permanent stage for music after 9 p.m.” she added.

“The 200 block of South Main was not fully developed when Godsey’s Grill opened,” said Clay Young of Young Investments, a downtown developer. “Then suddenly with the opening of five additional restaurants and other shops, the downtown restaurant scene was on.

“The expansion of Godsey’s and the new businesses that are coming is no surprise to the people watching downtown. The food is amazing, and the atmosphere is vibrantly contagious.”

As the spaces along South Main Street fill, the spillover is being seen along Church Street with such places as Sue’s Kitchen and a new IberiaBank branch bank along Union Avenue.

What else?

James Best, who owns Skinny J’s, bought the building housing his restaurant. He’s also bought a building at 212 Union St. for a banquet hall, with hopes of turning it into a standalone tapas bar. Tapas are an appetizer or snack of Spanish cuisine, he said.

In the meantime, Best said he is very pleased with the success of Skinny J’s and has been surprised by the growth of his business.

A little further down the 200 block of South Main Street, Casey Johnson of Rockstar Clothing and Guitars is another storekeeper who is very pleased to be in the Historic Downtown Business District.

“We sell women’s clothing and have an art gallery,” Johnson said. The guitars are kind of a leftover from a previous business — once they’re gone, they won’t be restocked.

Her husband, Dan Johnson, owns the Brickhouse Grill almost directly across the street.

“I’ve noticed a lot of families downtown, walking, going out to dinner,” Johnson said. “It’s nice. ... This is where I want to be.”

Kent Arnold and Kent Arnold Jr. have their real estate office in the 300 block of South Main Street in the former Broadway Department Store. Kent Arnold said he often walks down the street, visiting all of the shops and restaurants that are open in the evening.

“It’s kind of a community, a neighborhood,” he said. “And there are more and more people choosing to shop, visit and eat downtown.”

And several professionals have also located there, including artists and attorneys. Jeff Sciber just moved to 324 South Main St., and Scott Emerson is at 245 South Main St.

Emerson likes the eclectic and homey feel his renovated former retail business space provides. His office manager, Paula McGowan, said she started her career in business just a short distance away in the former Mercantile Bank, which is also a law office.

“I have spent most of my working life on South Main Street,” she said.

She remembers Ben Franklin, Woolworth’s, Otasco, Western Auto, Hancock’s Bakery, J.C. Penney, Grabers and many others who have gone by the wayside or moved.

There have been lots of changes and some surprises, even for Arnold. Bennigan’s, the Irish-themed casual dining restaurant that will soon open across the street from Arnold’s, is one of the surprises.

“This is the first national franchise for downtown,” Arnold said. “I think Bennigan’s is a validation that our downtown is truly becoming a destination. Just park and dine, walk and visit.”

Jonesboro resident Manzar Riaz said he will open Bennigan’s as soon as possible. Riaz said that before the Bennigan’s folks approved the franchise and the location, they came to Jonesboro to see for themselves what is going on in the city and in the downtown district.

Arnold said Riaz bought the building that will house Bennigan’s, including five residential lofts that are currently leased.

“There’s lots of choices here, and the choices are getting greater ...,” Arnold said. “Omar’s Downtown will be opening very soon in the historic Wall’s Slipper Shop building at South Main and Huntington.”

He said Bill and Sue Hurt of Jonesboro are bringing their fine dining experience from the 501 Club to downtown.

Executive chef Omar Barry said the new restaurant, which he expects to open by September, will offer a new and different fine dining experience.

“Not heavy toward steaks, but more toward seafood and a continental experience,” Bradley said. “I would like to touch every continent with our food.”

He said the restaurants can offer a unique dining experience for Jonesboro, including 4- and 5-course meals. There will be a lounge on the second floor, and Bradley said customers can experience a commanding view of the downtown area from the street-facing windows. Omar’s Downtown will also have a private dining area on the lower floor in a 12-by-16-foot private room that he said will be ideal for special occasions and business meetings for up to 12 people.

“We’re here because our customers wanted us,” Bradley said.

Also coming to the 300 block are a Vino’s Pizza Grille and Trail’s End Barbecue, Arnold said.

Gearhead Outfitters has moved its bicycle shop across the street, freeing up much-needed footage in its original downtown store.

YoLo Yogurt shop, across from Gearhead in the 200 block of South Main Street, is open and offering its treats by the pound, including Italian gelato.

Vox 306, the new American cuisine restaurant owned by Piero and Sarah Trimarchi, is targeted to open on 306 South Church St. on Nov. 1.

Piero’s, Arnold said, is moving from its Main Street bistro location to the Church and Huntington restaurant facility formerly occupied by Bob Goodwin’s Window’s Restaurant and later Batten’s Pastries. It is next door to the Mercantile Center business development by Mark Duckworth in the former Union Planters bank building.

Sookie’s Down Town Deli, 222 South Main St., also owned by the Trimarchis, will remain in its current location.

curth@jonesborosun.com