Digs restaurant to replace Mad Ox bar at the Bakery District

Destiney Cameron, a co-owner and manager of AJ’s Oyster House in downtown Fort Smith, plans to soon open Digs, a new restaurant just a few blocks away in the Bakery District.

The Bakery District space previously operated by Mena-based Mad Ox will convert to Digs with plans to open in early August, Cameron said. Digs stands for “Doing it garden style,” she said.

When open, Digs’ kitchen will be open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The bar will be open until 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, Cameron said. She said the operation will begin with about 10 employees and add more as the business grows. She said many of the employees they plan to hire are former Mad Ox staff.

Cameron, who has been in the restaurant business more than 11 years, said her plan is to work with area farmers to include fresh food into the menu.

“We will work with them (farmers) to do as much fresh as possible, and we plan to offer as many vegetarian meals as we can,” Cameron said. “But we’ll also have a few items for the bacon lovers.”

She is not worried about being involved in two downtown Fort Smith restaurants.

“It’s controlled chaos, but I love it,” she said.

Sam Hanna, a property manager for Fort Smith-based KMW Properties, which owns the Bakery District, said Max Ox owners decided to refocus on their growing Mena business.

“He (Derek Campbell with Mad Ox) has a lot going on in Mena, so they are going to try to capitalize on all that’s there right now and the growth there,” Hanna said.

Federal officials recently approved a permit to build a one-of-a-kind lift-served mountain bike and adventure park that will connect the city of Mena to Queen Wilhelmina State Park. When complete, it will be the largest lift-served mountain bike park in the world, built from the ground up exclusively for biking, according to officials.

Digs is not the only new venture in the Bakery District. Vinnie’s Pies recently moved into a “container” space in the patio at the Bakery and serves lunch and dinner, Hanna said. Vinnie’s previously operated out of a food truck. Cameron said when the Digs’ kitchen closes, customers can bring in food from Vinnie’s Pies.

“We’re excited about both of these coming in at about the same time. It keeps it (Bakery District) new and fresh,” Hanna said.

The Bakery District opened in June 2020. Users of that space include a coffee shop, bookstore, and University of Arkansas at Fort Smith classrooms and offices. The space, once home to Shipley Baking, was developed by Bill Hanna, president and CEO of Fort Smith-based Hanna Oil and Gas Co.