Now That San Jose Manor is Vacant, Its Time To Watch Emma Avenue

The last tenant is gone from San Jose Manor on East Emma Avenue in downtown Springdale.

Bella’s Gifts moved out of the building near the end of August, relocating to the other side of U.S. 71, at 627 White Road.

Like many of you, we are anxious to see what will become of the property. It was bought, along with the adjoining Ryan’s Clothing store building, by a Walton family interest for $970,000 in June 2014.

Representing almost 30,000 SF of commercial space, the significant purchase was one of several on Emma Avenue that year, and helped spur along ongoing talks of a downtown renaissance in Springdale.

And the transformation has continued to move forward. A nice stretch of the Razorback Greenway bike trail now intersects Emma, a boardwalk runs along nearby Spring Creek, and more businesses are starting to pop up in the area.

Large, brightly colored signs feature maps of the bike trail and downtown Springdale, while others say things like, “Join the Movement #teamspringdale.”

The feeling of imminent change is palpable, and with the emptying of the Walton family properties, it could be here soon. Downtown Springdale might just be on the cusp of its flowering season.