Multicultural Center Planned for Rogers

A $1 million construction project is under way to renovate the old Consumers IGA supermarket building in Rogers and convert it to be a 55,000-SF multicultural retail and entertainment center. The center is scheduled to be complete sometime next year.r

Zocalo Plaza, which means “The Center” in Spanish, will feature a Latin market, Hispanic bakery, restaurant, retail space, boxing gym and arena. r

The project is owned by Hispanic Holdings LLC, which consists of Ben Israel of Fayetteville and Larry Bouchet of Springdale. The two men developed Mercado Mexicano, a 20,000-SF Mexican market that opened in February in Springdale’s Signature Square shopping center.r

Hispanic Holdings LLC purchased the land in Rogers last year for $2.3 million.r

Ron Hudnall, principal and owner of Resource Design, the firm in charge of architectural and design development for Zocalo Plaza, said phase two will include a 10-lane bowling alley (or another type of entertainment center), and phase three will be a 125-seat movie theater.r

Professional and amateur boxers will perform in 40 scheduled events annually in the new arena, which will seat 950 spectators. The boxing gym will feature two professional training rings and will have a professional boxing trainer on staff. r

Zocalo Plaza will be located across from the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Walnut Street. Kevin Williams is leasing the 17,000-SF of available retail space.