Fort Smith Metro News Briefs: A ‘Serious Fiber’ selection, doctors move from Baptist Health to Mercy

Following are recent news brief items from the Fort Smith metro.

Commerce Collective
Crystal Bedney, owner of Serious Fiber and a U.S. Navy veteran, has been selected as the winner of the Main Street Fort Smith Commerce Collective: A Downtown Business Incubator following a competitive application and pitch process.

Serious Fiber is a specialty fiber arts business offering hand-dyed yarns, spinning fibers, knitting and crochet tools, and educational classes for all skill levels.

The Commerce Collective program was created by Main Street Fort Smith to support emerging entrepreneurs while activating downtown storefronts through short-term retail opportunities. Applicants submitted business proposals before finalists were selected to participate in a live pitch session evaluated by a panel of judges.

As the selected winner, Serious Fiber will be able to open in a downtown Fort Smith retail space at 409 Garrison Ave., with support designed to help establish and grow the business in a brick-and-mortar environment. Bedney is preparing the space and plans to soon announce an official opening date.

“We are thrilled to welcome Crystal and Serious Fiber to downtown Fort Smith,” said Amanda Hager, executive director of Main Street Fort Smith. “Her creativity, passion, and strong vision for community engagement made Serious Fiber stand out throughout the process. We believe this business will bring a unique and exciting experience to downtown.”

The Commerce Collective is part of Main Street Fort Smith’s ongoing efforts to support small businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and create downtown experiences for residents and visitors.

Doctor Moves
Dr. Abdul-Nasser Adjei, an interventional cardiologist with more than two decades in the Fort Smith area, will soon join Mercy Clinic Cardiology – Tower West in Fort Smith. He has been a physician with Baptist Health-Fort Smith.

“As I entered practice, I developed a deeper appreciation of the profound impact cardiovascular disease has on patients’ lives,” he said. “This realization strengthened my commitment to the specialty. I genuinely love the practice of cardiology, and given the choice, I would pursue this path again without hesitation.”

Amy Fore, vice president of patient services at Mercy Fort Smith, said Dr. Adjei’s addition strengthens cardiovascular care at Mercy.

Dr. Varant Arzoumanian, also once a physician at Baptist Health-Fort Smith has joined Mercy’s growing cancer care operation in Fort Smith and will soon see patients at a new location. Mercy Oncology & Hematology – Fort Smith Tower West is set to open June 1 at 6801 Rogers Ave., Suite 202.

According to Mercy, Arzoumanian brings years of oncology experience to Mercy.

“I have had the privilege of walking alongside patients and families in the River Valley for many years, and I am honored to continue that work with Mercy,” he said. “This new clinic enables us to provide comprehensive, compassionate cancer care close to home, and I look forward to serving patients in a space designed to support them through every step of their journey.”

Mercy recently announced it completed funding for the first phase of work on its cancer center expansion in Fort Smith. Work on the 50,000-square-foot expansion is expected to be complete by July 2027.

Chaffee Crossing Market
The Chaffee Crossing Historic District will begin a new season with its Chaffee Crossing Food & Artisan Market on May 16. Market hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it will be held on the third Saturday of each month through October. The market location is 7300 Ellis St.

The market is expected to have more than 70 vendors with products that include handmade goods, artisan products, fresh produce, clothing, and a variety of food options. Live music and family-friendly activities will also be part of the market.

“We’re excited to kick off another great season of the Chaffee Crossing Food & Artisan Market,” said Jennifer Seaton-Rambo, director of the Historic District and Museum. “It’s more than just a market, it’s a place where people can gather, support local vendors, and enjoy great food. We invite everyone to come out and be part of it.”

Leadership Franklin County
Eleven members of the Leadership Franklin County program completed their 2025–26 service project on April 24 by visiting Ozark Nursing and Rehab and Greenhurst Nursing Center in Franklin County, where they refreshed outdoor flower beds, played bingo with residents and provided prizes.

The group worked in partnership with United Way’s Project Compassion to determine the needs at each facility. The supplies needed for the project were provided through donations from Farm Credit, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corp., and Blossomberry Nursery, along with personal contributions from group members.

“Somewhere between the early mornings, the meetings, and the conversations that stayed with me, I realized Leadership Franklin County is about learning to lead through service to the people and place that raised you,” said Rhiannon King.

Members of the 2025-26 Leadership Franklin County class are Justin Baumgartner, Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus; Blake Becker, Black Hills Energy; Jordan Cater, Mercy Hospital Ozark; Alex Dickerson, Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corp.; Amanda Jennings, Telamon Corporation; Charis Fox, Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus; Pamela Gray, Franklin County Learning Center; Rosemary Hall, Farm Credit; Rhiannon King, Franklin County Circuit Clerk’s office; Brittany Page, Area Agency on Aging; and Mario Varela-Pecina, Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus.

The class will graduate May 19. Leadership Franklin County is housed through Arkansas Tech University – Ozark, and Erin Brickley is the program director.