Bits & Pieces: Another DG in the works

It could be argued that Bismarck needs another Dollar General like Arkadelphia needs another Mexican restaurant. Those who frequent Highway 7 between Arkadelphia and Hot Springs have likely noticed some development on the east side of the road across from the former Rolando’s restaurant. We noticed a while back, joking with Our Better Half that it is probably another Dollar General. We finally got around to searching, and guess what: the property sold to DG Bismarck AR 7 back in November 2025. If an AI-fueled Google search is to be trusted, “Like many real estate and development shells used by retail chains, DG Bismarck AR 7 LLC is registered to Dollar General Corporation (via its corporate real estate and subsidiary arms).” Word on the street is that the new location will be home to a DG Market, providing options like fresh produce and a full meat department. We suspect that the original DG, behind the post office, will cease to operate as a Dollar General — unless, of course, the company likes to compete with itself. Naturally, the recently built DG at 2411 Highway 7 would remain open. Having three DG options in Bismarck is probably two too many, but what do we know? 

Arkadelphia, by the way, will welcome yet another TexMex restaurant in coming weeks. A sign outside the old Pizza Hut on North 10th Street — most recently an incredibly short-lived fish restaurant — reads that a Casamigos is coming soon. We’ve heard jokes that Arkadelphia has the highest number of Mexican restaurants per capita than any other community in the U.S. If we’re counting correctly, Casamigos will make the sixth of its kind in Arkadelphia/Caddo Valley. We wish them all success.

Arkadelphia needs another Mexican restaurant like it needs another highway project. Work continues on the Arkadelphia Bypass. In recent days heavy equipment and materials have been moved to North 10th Street, the final stretch of the bypass. Looking south from where KFC once stood one can see new blacktop where the bypass will connect to 10th Street at Caddo. Once the bypass is complete, work is expected to begin on the widening of Pine Street, between 10th and 26th streets, to add a turn lane. Work is also coming along on the new Caddo River bridge. The abundance of road construction makes us feel like we’re leaving out a project.

As we age, we have no qualms in politely instructing a door-to-door salesman to go [expletive] himself.

We caution readers to avoid the highway construction areas, if possible: a friend recently had to repair a flat tire on her brand new vehicle, and the good folks at the tire shop informed her that a sharp rock from the construction was the culprit — and that her situation wasn’t at all unique.

Spring was a nice day.

Our normal mail carrier must have taken Monday off, as we watched with mixed amusement and pity as his substitute drove up and down Martindale Hill at least a dozen times, zig-zagging our neighborhood for what seemed like an hour before a backup carrier came to aid. Several residents of our neighborhood got their mail around dusk.

Fun Fact: Most people button their shirts from bottom to top.

Signs point to a land swap between AllCare pharmacist Percy Malone and Lucky Liquor proprietor Jason Bright. A notice posted on a window at the former Sears building says application for approval has been made to the state Alcoholic Beverage Control board for the sale of off-premises beer and liquor. Lucky Liquor now occupies the former AllCare building, which Bright purchased from Malone in 2021 when the Arkadelphia Bypass project forced Bright to move his package store from its original location, where Pine and the bypass now intersect. Malone, who bought the old Sears building in recent months, has told us that he plans to rekindle a retail pharmacy operation. To date, there have been no deeds recorded to indicate the land swap has been finalized. We’ll know more — and give an update — when the time comes.

Ozzy the Chocolate Chihuahua sez: Remember, folks, Labbadors and udder big dawgs belong on the large dog side of Barkadelphia Dog Park. 

Anybody else notice that guy mean-mugging everybody?

Joel Phelps is editor of arkadelphian.com. Opinions expressed in this column are his own. Unless you are a door-to-door salesman, contact Phelps by emailing editor@arkadelphian.com.