Multiple reports say the financially troubled Bennigan’s restaurant chain will be closing nationwide. The North Little Rock outlet was open at lunch today and a woman who answered the phone said they’d received no word of closure. (A reader said he believes one still operates in Hot Springs.)

Bennigan’s — and macho nachos — remains an indelible part of the memories I compiled in the early 1970s when I moved to Little Rock. I particularly remember drowning my sorrows in a beer after a catastrophic vehicle inspection nearby required virtually every penny I had — and some help from home — to get my car back to legal Arkansas operating standards. I didn’t understand then that the Arkansas tradition was to ignore the vehicle inspection and skip the license plate, too. Pardon my reminiscence.

Advertisement

UPDATE: Wall Street Journal reports that both Bennigan’s and Steak and Ale (talk about memories) have closed their doors and filed for bankruptcy. It will close some 300 restaurants and put thousands out of work. WSJ says assets likely will be liquidated and the restaurants won’t be reopend. Here’s Bloomberg.

UPDATE II: Times of NLR reports that the Bennigan’s in NLR is a franchise operation and will stay open,

Advertisement

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Northside politics Next article Huck veep? Uh, no.