By Joel Phelps
The Arkadelphian

After months of revamping the interior and exterior of Brookshire’s, Pine Plaza’s centerpiece business held a grand opening Wednesday.

More than 50 people attended the event to hear the grandson of the company’s founder address the crowd, as well as community leaders applauding the remodel.

During the summer months, the store’s interior underwent a ceiling-to-floor remodel that also included a re-arrangement of products. The facade was given a facelift, as well, with the replacement of signage, windows, sliding doors and a new outdoor section that features seasonal items.

Arkadelphia City Manager Gary Brinkley said, “We expect you to be rewarded financially for this investment, because this is the stuff our citizens are now wanting to see in our town. We promise you, as citizens of Arkadelphia, we will make this worth your investment.”

Nikki Chandler, executive vice president of the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce, echoed Brinkley’s statements, adding that she was certain the store employees are “appreciative of the improvements and the upgrades.” Chandler applauded store manager Jeremy Pilgreen for his commitment to the community. “Without businesses like you we wouldn’t be where we are today,” Chandler said.

Next, Ouachita Baptist University President Ben Sells, along with the company’s CEO, announced Brookshire’s establishment of the Focus on the Future Scholarship, which was presented to Ouachita junior Dawson Ramsey, a finance major from Bryant. 

Pilgreen and Carl Ehrlich, CEO of Central Builders, Inc., the company that oversaw construction, also spoke.

Finally taking the floor was Brad Brookshire, president and CEO of the company. The grandson of the company’s founder, Brookshire said Wednesday marked the second time he’d visited the Arkadelphia store since the remodeling. “It’s a great day for our company,” he said. “The store looks amazing. … The before and after is truly a huge difference.”

Brookshire’s has been operating in Arkadelphia since 1997.

Based in Tyler, Texas, the 93-year-old company has 180 stores nationwide, 15 of which are located throughout The Natural State. “And we’re looking to expand,” Brookshire noted. “We’re proud of the new look and the folks we have in the store. We look forward to serving Arkadelphia for many, many years to come.”

Afterward, those in attendance were treated to the option of a ride around the Pine Plaza parking lot in an engine-powered shopping cart.