Thursday Kudos: New Running Store To Open In Little Rock

A new running store is opening in Little Rock, the Times-Record hires a new publisher, and a high-profile attorney lands a plum post.

BILL TORREY OPENING ROCK CITY RUNNING
Legendary Arkansas Runner Bill Torrey will open Rock City Running on Saturday, May 25, 2013. The store is located in The Colony West Shopping Plaza in west Little Rock.

The store will feature all major brands of running and walking gear like Brooks, ASICS, Mizuno, Newton, Salomon and Moving Comfort. Rock City Running will also offer new products like Oiselle, Inknburn, Altra, Karhu, Inov8, The North Face, Darn Tough, and Drymax, according to a company press release.

“Central Arkansas’ running store landscape dramatically changed over the past few years. I saw the need to open a running store that was local-owned, locally-operated and catering to runners and walkers of all paces in a welcoming environment. We want to be viewed as the “approachable” local running and walking experts.” said Torrey.

Torrey started running in March of 1979 and has run over 40 marathons. He has also directed over 100 races in Arkansas including the larger races like The Little Rock Marathon, Firecracker Fast 5K, Race for the Cure and The Capital City Classic 10K.

TOM STALLBAUMER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TIMES-RECORD
Veteran Stephens Media executive Tom Stallbaumer has been named publisher of the Times Record in Fort Smith. He is the former publisher of the Morning News in northwest Arkansas. He replaces Gene Kincy who has been the Times Record’s publisher for nearly 20 years.

Stallbaumer, 53, is publisher of Las Vegas CityLife and Best of Las Vegas, a position he’s held since April 2012. He has also served as director of digital sales and marketing for Stephens Media.

CAROLYN WITHERSPOON APPOINTED TO UNIFORM STATE LAWS COMMISSION
Carolyn Witherspoon, a director in the Little Rock office of Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C., has been appointed to the Commission on Uniform State Laws by Gov. Mike Beebe (D).

The commission provides Arkansas with legislation that brings clarity and stability to critical areas of state statutory law.

Witherspoon’s practice includes labor and employment law, governmental law and transportation law. She represents public and private employers in defending employment-related matters, including Title VII litigation, and does extensive training for employers regarding employment and human resources-related issues. She is also a frequent contributor to legal publications on topics involving employment and personnel issues.