Piano bar brings jobs, investment to downtown Fort Smith

Mojo’s Ivory House and Dueling Piano Bar, the newest bar and entertainment venue to open on Garrison Avenue in downtown Fort Smith, cut the ribbon Tuesday on the first high-profile phase of a more than $1 million investment.

Bar owners also estimate the new business will create up to 30 jobs.

The bar will be followed in the next several months by 14 loft apartments and a restaurant — all located in what was once the Davis Furniture building at 823 Garrison Ave.

Joseph Meadows and his father, Jim, purchased the three-story, 24,000-square-foot building Aug. 31, 2008, with plans to develop loft apartments on the top two floors and placing a restaurant-bar on the first floor.

“This journey has been long and exhausting, but I can’t wait for us to open our doors to the public so they can enjoy this great new entertainment venue for Fort Smith. It’s truly going to be a great destination to gather, relax and enjoy downtown Fort Smith in a modern unique atmosphere,” Joseph Meadows said in a statement.

The bar will open to the public Friday (May 21).

The non-smoking bar and lounge will seat up to 250 with occupancy up to 400. Hours of operation are 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Tuesday through Saturday; with the dueling piano show Thursday through Saturday. Also, there is a private lounge available for rent that includes a private bartender, cocktail waitress and bouncer.

Entertainment from the piano players will include a range of music from the classics to modern hits.

“The piano players consist of a local musician and will also feature some traveling players from Houston, San Antonio, Florida and Las Vegas during the first few months,” noted a statement from the bar owners.