Little Rock’s retail scene continues to expand, primarily out west and in the Midtown area. The newest shopping center is Shackleford Crossing, at the intersection of Shackleford Road and Interstate 430. Other centers that opened in late 2006 have mostly filled out their storefronts. 

Here’s a look at what some of Central Arkansas’s shopping districts have to offer.

Midtown 

The intersection of Markham and University continues to dominate this neighborhood’s retail scene. Midtowne Little Rock, which opened in October 2006, is an open-air “lifestyle center” with a variety of upscale national retailers, including Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma; women’s clothing stores Harold’s, J. Jill and Ann Taylor Loft; and local boutiques Evolve and Impulse by RK Collections. Several stores opened in 2007, including Justice Just for Girls, outdoor store Lewis and Clark and accessories store Brighton Collectibles. More stores are planned for 2008, including the Container Store.

Across the street, Dillard’s department store anchors Park Plaza, where more than 80 smaller national retailers, including Ann Taylor, Talbots, Hollister Co., Eddie Bauer and the Gap, are also located. Forever XXI is set to open soon on the mall’s lower level as well.

The Heights and Hillcrest are home to a variety of smaller stores, mostly on Kavanaugh Boulevard. Box Turtle carries clothes by local designers; Retail Therapy specializes in hand-made crafts. You can find books at Wordsworth Books and Co., gourmet foods and cookware at the Sauce Co., toys at the Heights Toy Center, upscale men’s clothing at Mr. Wicks, home decor at the Full Moon and Cobblestone and Vine, clothing at Tallulah, Feinstein’s, Kristin Chase and others, knitting supplies at Handworks Gallery and the Yarn Mart.  

Riverdale is the heart of home decor in Little Rock. The warehouse row on Cantrell Road houses Soho Modern, Lampworks, Private Collections and New Orleans Antique and Jewelry Exchange; a bit further west, Cynthia East Fabrics, Botanica Gardens and several antique stores are clustered around the Rebsamen Park and Old Cantrell Road intersection.

West Little Rock

Pleasant Ridge Town Center on Cantrell Road just west of Interstate 430, which opened in late 2006, has developed into a magnet for locally owned boutiques. Its anchor department store transitioned from Parisian to Belk last year; other stores include Nia-Ja’s, Minx, Scarlet, Thread, Beyond Cotton and Vesta’s (women’s clothing); Indigo Home; Frontiers Adventure Outlet; and Tuck and Cover (children’s furniture and decor).

Shackleford Crossing, the newest shopping center in West Little Rock, is anchored by JC Penney and Babies R Us, which opened last fall. Tenants set to open as construction progresses this year include Wal-Mart and Haverty’s Furniture.

Also set to open this year: The Promenade at Chenal, on Chenal Parkway near Rahling Road. Planned tenants include J. Crew, Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret. The center is tentatively scheduled to open in late May.

For big-box shopping, Markham Road, Bowman Road and Chenal Parkway are the streets to remember:  There you’ll find Barnes and Noble, Toys R Us, Target, Old Navy, Home Depot, Best Buy and Circuit City and smaller shops like Chico’s.

North Little Rock

For big-box and mall stores, McCain Boulevard is the place to be. Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, Pier One, Steinmart, Home Depot and Lowe’s, Linens-n-Things and Toys-R-Us, shopping centers McCain Mall and Lakewood Village — they’re all arrayed along this single stretch of blacktop. If it’s smaller boutiques you’re looking for, head to JFK Boulevard in Park Hill to shop for clothes at ShopTrio, bridal gowns at Jodie Marie’s and the Bridal Cottage, baby items at Lads and Ladybugs, and gifts at Wicks and Wax. Historic Argenta is home to Galaxy Office Furniture — its inventory includes much more than what the name suggests — and Argenta Bead Co.