On the Rocks Plans to Open in Ice Plant

Cal Canfield has landed his first tenant after the $1 million renovation of the 99-year-old Fayetteville Mercantile Building, also known as “the Ice Plant” because it once housed the Fayetteville Ice and Storage Co.

Wes Cooper plans to open On the Rocks Patio and Grill there within the next three months.

On the Rocks will occupy 8,700 SF of the historic Mercantile Building. That figure includes a 3,456-SF rooftop deck that will be used for dining space, Canfield said.

Cooper, 25, works for Arvest Asset Management in Fayetteville. This is his first restaurant. Van Ngo will manage the business. Ngo previously managed The Dome Grill and Bar, which was a popular late-night Fayetteville hangout for years before it closed in December.

Ngo said On the Rocks will serve hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and entrées, including three different steaks. Meal prices will range from a hamburger and fries at about $6 to a steak dinner for about $18.

Cooper and Ngo plan for the restaurant to be open every day of the week except Sunday. Restaurant hours will be 4-10 p.m., but the full bar will remain open until 2 a.m. Those hours may change, however, after the business is up and running.

Mark Weegens has been helping Cooper and Ngo renovate the space.

In May 1999, Canfield and two partners in Ice Plant Development LLC purchased the historic building at 339 N. West Ave. for about $500,000. The partnership has put about $1 million into renovation, Canfield said. The renovation began immediately after the purchase and was completed in late 2000.

The mixed-use development actually consists of two adjoining buildings — a two-story 11,000-SF structure and a one-story 3,000-SF building.

Canfield said he has a second space in the development that would be a prime restaurant location. A Little Rock group has eyed the spot but has yet to make a commitment.