Walton-backed Ropeswing working to open new basement bar in Bentonville’s Massey Building
by February 17, 2022 3:55 pm 11,498 views
The Walton-backed firm Ropeswing Hospitality Group is working on a new food-and-drink concept in downtown Bentonville.
The venue’s working name is Lady Slipper. The restaurant and bar will be in the basement of the historic Massey Building on West Central Avenue. It will also have an outdoor dining area.
Ropeswing exists under the Runway Group umbrella and operates multiple restaurants and bars in Bentonville, including Preacher’s Son, Undercroft, Pressroom, Louise and Co-Op Ramen.
Runway Group is a business team based in Bentonville led by Steuart Walton and his younger brother, Tom Walton. They are grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton and the sons of Jim Walton, chairman and CEO of Arvest Bank Group Inc.
The diversified holding company makes strategic investments in Northwest Arkansas in real estate, hospitality, outdoor initiatives and aviation.
A Runway Group spokesperson said due to pandemic and staffing variables, there is no specific target opening date.
Walton Enterprises LLC, the holding company owned by heirs of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. founders Sam and Helen Walton, owns the Massey Building. It’s managed by Blue Crane, Runway Group’s real estate acquisition and development arm.
The building has multiple tenants including Phat Bike Tire Bike Shop on the ground level and Grit Studios, a startup incubator, on the second level.