Downtown Van Buren Arkansas Shopping District
A photo blog entry that covers where to shop in the old downtown Van Buren Arkansas shopping district. Websites and phone numbers are included when available.
Keep reading for a slew of photos and links if you are interested in shopping at the old downtown district of Van Buren Arkansas.
This is part one of a bunch of photo trips I have planned in the near future. I’ve never been to most of the towns within 5-15 minutes of here, so I figured I’d check them out. This photo blog entry is going to cover a portion of the old Van Buren Downtown shopping district. It’s mostly the 400-800 blocks and I’m sure I missed a few places of interest. I have yet to visit any of these places when open, but when I do I’ll be sure to post my impressions.
The above image was shot from the end of the 400 block of Main Street. You’ll notice they have signs stating 2 hours max parking. I like this much better than the nearby parking meters littering the Fort Smith downtown area. Granted, they do have a public parking lot, if you don’t mind walking a long ways. Keep in mind these shops are in no specific order. I just walked down the street and it’s quite possible I missed something, or the shop in question could also be out of business. You never know with small hometown shops, so give them a ring before going shopping just to make sure.
If you’re looking for more information about the town of Van Buren as a whole you should visit the Van Buren Arkansas Visitor and Tourism Information website.
If you stumbled here looking for information on President Van Buren you might want to look here or here.
From what I’ve seen first hand you can find the following in a few blocks of downtown Van Buren: coffee, books, baked goods, photography, videography, antiques, gifts, candy, fudge, popcorn, drinks, art, framing, food, fabric, firearms, scrap booking, leather goods, clothing, jewelry, bags, ice cream, salons, entertainment, and more.
Coffee & A Good Book Van Buren Arkansas
Coffee & A Good Book is a local Cafe. Their website says they offer the following: Used books, coffee, rare books, mochas, vintage books, cakes, children’s books, pastries, biographies, lattes, fiction, espression, non-fiction, much more! It would seem to me this is a book store, coffee shop, and bakery from the description. They also advertise a Writer’s Workshop on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and business hours of Monday – Saturday 10-5. I also noticed the side windows advertise Coffee and Books that they don’t mention on the website. They are as follows: mochas, cappuccino, espresso, ice cream, chai, smoothies, lattes, shakes, (books), childrens, non-fiction, biographies, self-help, vintage, religious, reference. I can’t make out the book type next to self-help in my photo, so you’ll just have to check it out on your own. It’s located at 414 Main Street Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-471-7182.
Broken Bike Studios Van Buren Arkansas
Broken Bike Studios offers Videography, Photography, and Graphic Design. Their website seems to be geared toward digital wedding, senior, and event photography. They have prices and samples there as well. It’s located at 416 Main Street, Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-561-2379.
Corner Gifts Van Buren Arkansas
The best I can tell this is an antique type store, or possibly something along the lines of home decor from hobby lobby. You can see a lot of lamps, plastic plants, and picture frames in the photo. That’s about all I know. Perhaps I’ll go into the shop at some point and see what else they have. It’s located at 500 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-4944.
Candy Boquet Van Buren Arkansas
Candy Bouquet sells arrangements of candy that look similar to a flower bouquet. Their website says they’re good for people who suffer from allergies with real flowers. It’s located at 506 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-922-2100.
Main Street Candy & Fudge Van Buren Arkansas
Main Street Candy & Fudge offers an assortment of candies and fudge. Their website says they offer the following: Jelly Bellies, Fudge, Salt Water Taffy, Lollipops, Candy Bars, And Much More! The front window and website both say if you buy 1 pound of freshly made fudge you get 1/2 pound free. The window also says : Fudge, Popcorn, Candy, Drinks, Sundries, Fresh Fudge. It’s located at 512 Main Street, Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and I don’t have a phone number for this business, but I’ll see if there’s one on the building next time I’m in the area.
Gallery Under The Arch Van Buren Arkansas
While I can’t seem to track down a website for Gallery Under The Arch, the sign out front says: Fine Gifts, Art – Prints, Canvas, Custom Framing. I’ll drop into the store sometime to see if I can find out anything else about it. It does seem to have some interesting architecture going for it like the arch that the store name is derived from. It’s located at 514 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-471-7070.
Carols Cafe & Bob Cole Bail Bonds Van Buren Arkansas
I’m by no means trying to get these two places confused, but they’re side by side in my photo. Carols Cafe also offers Pizza according to the front window. There’s also a Press Argus-Courier newspaper box sitting out front. Carols Cafe is located at 520 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-3933. If you are interested in the Bob Cole Bail Bond next door it’s at 522 Main Street and the phone number is (479)-471-1426.
Tobey's Corner Grill Van Buren Arkansas
Tobey's Corner Grill is a corner restaurant in Van Buren. Their specialties seem to be burgers and sandwiches looking at their website. On Saturday and Sunday they offer an all you can eat breakfast buffet for 5.99. The front window also says they specialize in sugar free deserts if you’re looking for that sort of treat. Tobey’s is located at 600 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-0071.
Darb's Antiques Van Buren Arkansas
Darb's Antiques offers antiques and silk floral arrangements. They also appear to sell items on Ebay from time to time. Darb’s is located at 606 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-410-1024.
A Little Bit of Mexico Van Buren Arkansas
A Little Bit of Mexico is an import store that deals in trinkets, furniture, pottery, and home decor from Mexico. The sign out front advertises a website at littlebitofmexico.com, but it seems to no longer exist. A Little Bit of Mexico is located at 614 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-5155.
Main Street Fabric Van Buren Arkansas
Main Street Fabric sells fabrics, quilting supplies, books, quilt patterns, and quilt kits. Their website also mentions they offer classes, but at the time I checked they didn’t list what is available online. You’ll probably need to go in or call to find out. Main Street Fabrics is located at 701 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-262-6891.
Gunslinger's Old Town Mall Van Buren Arkansas
I can’t seem to find anything about Gunslinger’s Old Town Mall on the net, but it looks pretty neat from the outside. The sign on the front door says: Antique and modern firearms, 1800’s men and womens clothier, relics, artifacts and collections, cutlery, Victorian goods, general store. It would seem to be a gun dealer, clothing store, and antique shop all in one. I’ll update my description after I’ve had a chance to go inside and look around.
Mrs. Barker's Fine Antiques Van Buren Arkansas
Mrs. Barker's Fine Antiques is an antique shop located at 620 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-410-4341.
Old School Martial Arts, Inc. Van Buren Arkansas
Old School Family Taekwondo is a martial arts academy that teaches Taekwondo, MMA, and Kickboxing. They have schedules and other information on their website. The academy is located at 624 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-806-3642. The contact us page of their website has a map to get there.
Spinning Wheel Antiques & Collectibles Van Buren Arkansas
Spinning Wheel Antiques offers antique furnishing and home items. They don’t seem to have a website, but I’ll see if I can find any info the next time I’m in the area. Spinning Wheel Antiques is located at 708 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-410-1410.
Cottage Rowe Antiques & Interiors Van Buren Arkansas
Cottage Rowe Antiques & Collectibles seems to have the usual assortment of vintage goods. It’s located at 712 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-7120.
Public Restrooms Van Buren Arkansas
Public restrooms are located at the end of the 700 block of Main Street Van Buren. This is a crucial part of any shopping trip if you ask me.
Mim's Scrapbook Spot Van Buren Arkansas
Mim’s Scrapbook Spot sells scrapbook supplies and according to their website also has classes if you’re looking to learn more about making scrapbooks. At the time I took this photo they had an ad on the window stating that you get 6 free sheets of paper from the paper wall with a $10 purchase. Mim’s Scrapbook Spot is located at 724 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-922-2188.
Cowpolks Leather Shop Van Buren Arkansas
Cowpolks Leather Shop sells all sorts of leather based goods. The store on their website offers jackets, moccasins, leather pants, chaps, vests, shirts, frogg togg, and accessories. Cowpolks Leather Shop is located at 722 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-0332.
The Calico Goose Van Buren Arkansas
The Calico Goose offers a wide selection of handmade crafts, fudge, and candies. Their website says they offer the following: Home of “Mr. Goose” Gourmet Jams, Jellies, Relishes, Dip Mixes, Old Fashion Fudge, Chocolate Candies, Brittles, Salt Water Taffy, a large selection of “Sugar Free” Candies, 22 Flavors of Gourmet Popcorn, Wood Crafts, Florals, Aprons, Bonnets, Chenille Baby Quilts, Pillows, Baby Gifts,
Raggedy Ann and Andy, “Watkins” Old Fashion Products. They also appear to have an online store. The Calico Goose is located at 721 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-8322.
Dragonflies Van Buren Arkansas
Dragonflies Boutique is a clothing store that offers trendy tops, jeans, dresses, jewelry, and bags. They have a Facebook page as well if you use the service and want to see what sort of sales they’re running. Dragonflies is located at 713 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-3737.
Main Street Ice Cream Parlor & Sandwich Shop Van Buren Arkansas
I can’t seem to find any real information on the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor. The address is 703 Main Street Van Buren and I can’t seem to track down a phone number. I’ll see if I can find out more about it on my next trip.
Main Street Sports Cards Van Buren Arkansas
I can’t seem to find Main Street Sports Cards online either, but the number on the front window is (479)474-5224. There’s also a sign for Anita’s Family Hair Care Beauty Shop. Walk ins welcome. They’re both located at 710 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number for Anita’s is (479)-474-5929.
Art Form Galleries & Custom Framing Van Buren Arkansas
I can’t seem to find much on Art Form Galleries & Custom Framing, but I’ll update my post when I get around to visiting the shop. The sign out front says: custom framing, fine art, paintings, sculpture, pottery, hand-blown glass, wood carving, cultural artifacts. The framing shop is located at 627 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-4114.
Kristi's Full Service Salon Van Buren Arkansas
I don’t have any information on this shop either, but the number on the window is (479)-474-7377 if you want to try giving them a call. Sign in the front window says they also do airbrush and tanning if you’re feeling a little pale.
The Blonde Factory Van Buren Arkansas
I have no idea what this shop does, but it looks like they have beauty supplies in the window. The Blonde Factory is located at 601 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-1169.
Art of Framing Van Buren Arkansas
The Art of Framing is a picture frame shop in Van Buren. From what I can find online they offer custom frames, glass, glass repair, paints, and printing. The Art of Framing is located at 511 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-1740.
The Main Street Art Gallery Van Buren Arkansas
I can’t find a website for this gallery. I’ll get more information and update this post at some point. The Main Street Art Gallery is located at 509 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-262-6199.
King Opera House Van Buren Arkansas
The King Opera House doesn’t seem to have a website of its own, but you can find their events at the main Van Buren website. The sign in the window advertises Blast from the past – pop legends impersonators on January 30th 2010 at 7 p.m. for $10 at the door. King Opera House is located at 427 Main St. Van Buren, AR 72956-5108 and the phone number is (479)-474-2426.
Old Downtown Shopping District Van Buren Arkansas
Old Downtown Shopping District Van Buren Arkansas
Old Downtown Shopping District Van Buren Arkansas
Old Downtown Shopping District Van Buren Arkansas
My 1984 Mazda RX-7 parked in front of the Crawford County Abstract Co., Inc. Closing Department. There’s a newspaper box out front if you want to buy a copy of the Times Record. This is the 400 block of Main St. Van Buren.
Posted by falcoln0014 
January 2010
One Response to “Downtown Van Buren Arkansas Shopping District”
Mom Says:
January 22nd, 2010at
2:17 pm
They should be paying you for this! Great stuff!
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