Family is big in Arkansas, and it stands to reason that so are family businesses. Generational businesses are the backbone of business in the Natural State, and while we don’t claim to have a comprehensive list of every family operation out there, we nevertheless can shine a spotlight on some of the state’s prominent family-run stores, companies and firms.
Arkansas Money & Politics is proud to once again recognize generational businesses in Arkansas.
Ace Glass Construction Corporation
Windows/Glass, Little Rock
Akel’s Carpet One
Carpet/Flooring, Little Rock
Albright Ideas
Advertising, Little Rock
Alford’s Carpet One
Floor & Home Decor, Fort Smith
Anthony Timberlands
Wood Supplier, Malvern
Arkansas Graphics Inc.
Printing, Little Rock
Arkansas Mailing Services
Mailing Services, North Little Rock
Bank of England
Banking, Little Rock
Blackmon Auctions
Auctioneer, Little Rock
The first-ever Blackmon auction was conducted in 1938 by founder Eddie Blackmon Sr.
The story goes that Blackmon owned part interest in a cattle barn in DeWitt, but the auctioneer who was working for him got into some trouble running a scam and was run out of town. In his absence, Blackmon did the auction that night, and the rest is history.
Years later, in the ‘60s, Tom Blackmon Sr. took over the business, expanding it from a seasonal operation to a full-time business. He focused heavily on selling farm equipment, but in the ‘70s added construction-equipment auctions and in the ‘80s began including trucking, logging, railroad and manufacturing equipment. Under his leadership, Blackmon Auctions evolved from a regional business to a full-blown auction company that earned international renown. Blackmon’s son Thomas has led the company since 2010 and added real estate to the company’s portfolio.
Blackmon Auction provides more than 80 years in the industry, an average of around 70 auctions a year and employees who average 15 years of service.
Blakeman’s Fine Jewelry
Jewelry, Rogers
Bray Sheet Metal
Sheet Metal, Little Rock
Brown Boys Roofing
Home Improvement, Bentonville
Bruno’s Little Italy
Restaurant, Little Rock
Cavender’s Seasoning
Culinary, Harrison
CBM Construction
Construction, Little Rock
CC Jones Trucking
Trucking, North Little Rock
C.C. “Shorty” Jones started his North Little Rock trucking company in the late 1940s with one truck. He used that truck to haul poultry out West and bring produce back to Arkansas. Today, C.C. Jones Trucking is run by Shorty’s daughter, Vicki Stephens, and her son, Gabe Stephens.
C.C. Jones has been named an Arkansas Trucking Association Safety Award winner each year for more than a decade including being named grand champion, and it carries the highest Department of Transportation safety rating.
Vicki went to work for her dad in 1966 and never left.
“Mother and I used to ride with Dad when I was a little girl, and he would tell me stories about the states I had seen,” she says. “I have met many wonderful people, made many lasting friendships and made positive contributions to this industry. This industry has been good to my family, and I am proud to say we are a third-generation company.
“Gabe and I work every day in an industry that we love, and we will work to continue to see the C.C. Jones name running up and down our highways.”
Central Flying Service
Aerospace/Aviation, Little Rock
Chi’s Chinese Cuisine
Restaurant, Little Rock
Clark Machinery Company
Construction Services, Fort Smith
Cogswell Motors
Auto Dealership, Russellville
Cooper Family Dentistry
Dental, Jacksonville
Coulson Oil Company
Petroleum Distribution, North Little Rock
Cozy Cavern Storm Shelters Emergency Preparedness, Austin
Crews and Associates
Banking, Little Rock
Crews & Associates offers fixed-income sales and trading, financial-advisory services and capital-markets financing. It has dedicated professionals serving clients in Arkansas and across the country and is led by founding partner and CEO Rush Harding III. His son, Rush “Buddy” Harding IV serves as senior vice president.
In an industry marked by upheaval, Crews is known for 40 years of service, dedicated leadership and deep roots. The firm is supported by First Security, its $7 billion-plus bank-holding company, as well as more than $1.4 billion in total capital. Institutions, individuals and communities partner with Crews to navigate markets and achieve financial goals.
Crow Burlingame
Auto Parts, Little Rock
Curry’s Termite and Pest Control
Pest Control, Little Rock
CustomXM
Printing/Promotional, North Little Rock
Daniel Orthodontics
Dental, Little Rock
DASH Heating and Cooling
HVAC, Little Rock
DataPath Inc.
Employee Benefits/Tech, Little Rock
David’s Burgers
Restaurant, Conway
Delta Land Management Co.
Real Estate, North Little Rock
Diamond Center Jewelers
Jewelry, Fayetteville
Dillard’s
Clothing, Little Rock
DJ’s Auto Repair
Auto Repair, North Little Rock
Doe’s Eat Place
Restaurant, Little Rock
Doe’s Eat Place originated, of course, in Greenville, Miss. George Eldridge, a restaurateur and hobby pilot from east Arkansas, for years had been flying friends and clients to Greenville for steaks at Doe’s.
Eventually, he decided to “bring the mountain to Mohammed” and contracted the right to bring the name and menu to Little Rock. Opened in 1988, Doe’s Little Rock maintains the no-frills tradition of the original and has achieved its own renown as a regional — and even a national — favorite. Doe’s was a favorite of former Arkansas governor Bill Clinton, and when Clinton was elected president in 1992, his taste for Doe’s went with him to the White House.
When candidate Clinton was interviewed for a cover story in Rolling Stone, Doe’s served as the setting. Eldridge and former Doe’s chef Lucille Robinson even got to attend the inaugural ball. Doe’s remains family-owned and operated. George’s daughter, Katherine Eldridge, assumed ownership in 2012 and is continuing the Doe’s tradition. Famous for its patios, including the dog-friendly back patio, Doe’s still attracts politicians and celebrities while maintaining its down-to-earth atmosphere.
Located at the corner of Ringo and Markham in downtown Little Rock, Doe’s has new hours — Tuesday through Saturday for lunch from 11 to 2 and Friday and Saturday for dinner from 5 to 10.
Don’s Supply
Restaurant Supply, Little Rock
Duffield Gravel Co.
Quarrying, Mineral Mining, Russellville
EC Barton & Company
Retail, Jonesboro
Faded Rose Restaurant
Restaurant, Little Rock
Feltner’s Whatta-Burger
Restaurant, Russellville
Ferstl Valuation Services
Real Estate Appraisal, Little Rock
First Arkansas Bank & Trust
Banking, Jacksonville
First Arkansas Bank & Trust
Banking, Sherwood
First Security Bank
Banking, North Little Rock
Fort Thompson Sporting Goods
Sporting Goods, Sherwood
Freyaldenhoven Heating & Cooling
HVAC, Conway
Fuller & Son Hardware
Hardware, Little Rock
Garrett Excavating
Construction Services, Benton
Gaston’s White River Resort
Resort, Lakeview
Generations Bank
Banking, Fayetteville
George’s Chicken
Food Manufacturing, Springdale
Graham Hardware
Hardware, Wynne
Grandeur Fasteners Inc.
Manufacturing, Danville
Gwatney Chevrolet Company
Car Dealership, Jacksonville
Harp’s Food Stores
Grocery, Springdale
Harrell Bancshares
Banking, Camden
Hathaway Group
Real Estate, Little Rock
Hugg & Hall
Equipment Rental, Little Rock
Hum’s Hardware and Rental
Construction Services, North Little Rock
Humphrey Funeral Service
Funeral Home, Russellville
Innerplan Office Interiors
Office Interiors, North Little Rock
Iriana’s Pizza
Restaurant, Little Rock
Jan Pro Cleaning Services
Cleaning, North Little Rock
K Hall & Sons Produce
Grocery, Little Rock
Kitchens Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric Dentists, Little Rock
Kittle’s Garage
Automobile, North Little Rock
Leonard’s Hardware Inc.
Hardware, Russellville
Lewis Ford Sales Inc.
Car Dealership, Fayetteville
Lexicon
Construction, Little Rock
Lift Truck Service Center
Heavy Equipment, Little Rock
Lindsey’s Hospitality House
Restaurant, North Little Rock
Maple Leaf Awning and Canvas
Outdoor, Sherwood
Martinous Oriental Rug Company
Decor, Little Rock
Mays, Byrd & O’Guinn, PLLC.
Legal, Little Rock
McCauley Services
Pest Control/ Electrical, Bryant
McClendon’s Appliance
Repair, Benton
Meyers Supply and Chemical
Janitorial Equipment Supplier, Hot Springs
Miller’s Drug Store
Pharmacy, Malvern
Moon Distributors
Distribution, Little Rock
Nabholz
Construction, Little Rock
National Custom Hollow
Metal Doors & Frames
Hardware, Little Rock
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
Gambling, Hot Springs
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, the state’s most popular tourist attraction, has been around since 1904. Among Oaklawn’s founding partners were brothers Louis and Charles Cella, who eventually gained complete ownership in 1916. Louis, however, died two years later making Charles Cella the sole owner.
Cella grew the popularity of horse racing across the state and hosted the first Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn in 1936. It had a purse of $5,000. Since then, it has traditionally been held there each year and the purse has increased to $1 million.
After 48 years in racing, Cella passed away in 1940 leaving ownership to his son, John, and grandson, Charles. They continued to market Oaklawn to increase crowds. Charles became president of Oaklawn in 1968 after the death of his father.
The family tradition of promoting racing and expanding Oaklawn passed on to son, Louis Cella, in 2017 after Charles passed away. Oaklawn just opened its $100 million expansion project that includes a seven-story luxury hotel; a 14,000-square-foot, multipurpose event center; and an additional 28,000-square-feet of gaming space. The project represents one of the largest private investments for the state’s hospitality and tourism industry.
Parrish Delivery Services
Mail/Courier, Little Rock
Peneprime of Arkansas
Asphalt, Little Rock
Peters Family Living
Furniture, Russellville
Pettus Office Products
Office Supplies, Little Rock
Phelan Orthodontics
Orthodontics, Little Rock
Phil Wright Autoplex
Auto Dealership, Russellville
Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Co.
Aggregates, White Hall
Poe Travel
Travel, Little Rock
Power Technology Inc.
Lasers, Alexander
Ranalli Farms
Grocery, Farm Equipment, Feed, Springdale
Red River Auto Group
Auto Dealership, Jacksonville
Refrigeration and Electric Supply Co.
Hardware, Little Rock
Richards Honda Yamaha
Automotive, Little Rock
Richards Honda Yamaha is the oldest Honda dealer in Arkansas, serving Arkansans since 1945. Richards Honda Yamaha offers a wide selection of Honda and Yamaha motorcycles and ATVs.
In early 1946 at the end of World War II, Dan Richards Sr. reopened the Harley-Davidson store once owned by his father-in-law on Asher Avenue in Little Rock. This proved to be a wise decision — Little Rock was starving for a motorcycle store. Dan Sr. (D.W.) immediately began to make his presence known and that of his business by racing every chance he could. In 1960, D.W. added another franchise to his Harley dealership — a little-known Japanese company named Honda that had begun selling in the United States.
D.W. liked the promise Honda showed. Richards Cycle Center became the 195th Honda dealer in the United States. With Honda’s instant success and the continuing sales of Harleys, Richards Cycle Center grew and saw several face-lifts over the ensuing years. A branch store was set up at 19th and University Avenue for a short time. It was called University Honda Center. Since then, the family has grown, and so has the business. With three generations of family involved in the business, Richards has the skills and experience needed to best serve Arkansans looking for a classic ride.
Riggs Cat Heavy Equipment Dealer
Heavy Equipment, Little Rock
Ritter Communications
Telecommunications, Searcy
Roller Funeral Homes
Funeral Home, Little Rock
Russell Chevrolet and Honda
Automotive, North Little Rock
Sissy’s Log Cabin
Jewelry, Little Rock
Smith Ford
Automotive, Conway
Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home
Funeral Home, North Little Rock
Sol Alman Company
Recycling, Little Rock
Sportstop Inc.
Sports Apparel, Little Rock
Star Bolt
Fasteners, North Little Rock
Stephens Inc.
Finance, Little Rock
Stephens is a leading family-owned investment firm comprising the businesses of investment banking, advisory, sales and trading, research, insurance and wealth management. Founded in 1933, Stephens’ U.S. operations are headquartered in Little Rock with additional locations in strategic domestic markets and a European presence in England and Germany.
Stephens is committed to building long-term value for corporations, state and local governments, financial institutions and institutional and individual investors. Stephens’ affiliates include: Stephens Inc. (offers securities products; member NYSE SIPC), Stephens Investment Management Group, Stephens Insurance LLC, Stephens Capital Partners LLC and Stephens Europe Limited. For more information, visit www.stephens.com/.
T&S Sawmill Inc.
Sawmill, Clarendon
Tipton & Hurst
Floral, Little Rock
Triple S Alarm Company, INC
Security, Little Rock
Founded in 1975, Triple-S Alarm Co. is one of the largest family-owned security companies in the South. The business was originally started by Seth Ward and Rick Edwards as a residential security company. In 1980, Rick and Mary Edwards purchased all the stock in the company and since then have grown Triple-S into what it is today. Along with sons, Roderick and Chad, who manage day-to-day operations, the Edwardses have built Triple-S into one of the largest family-owned, low-voltage contractors in the South. Triple-S covers the entire state from offices in Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Northwest Arkansas.
“Most business owners and homeowners require peace of mind and reliability when it comes to monitoring their systems,” Roderick says. “When a fire alarm, panic or break-in occurs, a quick response by fire, police and medical can mean the difference in life or death. That’s why Triple-S Alarm provides our own in-house UL Central monitoring station. Rest assured that professional operators will respond to your every need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Today, Triple S Alarm has a wide host of knowledge and surveillance products, including mass notification, access control, video surveillance, nurse call, audio/video solutions, paging/intercom systems, U.L. certifications, testing and inspections and its own in-house U.L. Central Monitoring Station. Triple S Alarm looks forward to serving Arkansas for generations to come.
Tyson Foods
Food, North Little Rock
Underwood’s Fine Jewelers
Jewelry, Fayetteville
Venesian Inn
Restaurant, Tontitown
War Eagle Boats
Aluminum Boat Manufacturing, Monticello
Wardlaw Orthodontics
Orthodontics, Little Rock
Warren’s Shoes
Women’s Shoes, Paris
Welsco
Welding, Little Rock
Whisinvest Realty, LLC
Commercial Real Estate, Little Rock
Williams Tractor
Tractor Dealership, Fayetteville, Springdale
Wilson Law Group
Legal, Little Rock
Wilson Real Estate Auctioneers, INC.
Auctioneer, Hot Springs
Wooley Auctioneers
Auctioneer, Little Rock
WWW/AFCO Steel Inc.
Construction Steel Fabrication, Little Rock
Xpress Boats
Boat Manufacturing, Hot Springs