Pam Smith image

I devoted a big chunk of the media column this week to “Pam’s Picks,” the weekly food feature Pamela Smith has been doing since 2009.

KATV mainstay Pamela Smith is leaving the station at the end of the month to become the Little Rock School District’s director of communications. As weekend anchor for more than a decade, she’s been a familiar face to KATV viewers, who’ll no doubt miss her steadiness. But one group in particular that’s bound to be especially bummed by Smith’s departure? Restaurant owners.

Since 2009, Smith’s selection of a restaurant for her weekly “Pam’s Picks” dining feature has been like Oprah picking a book for her bookclub once was — a guarantee of a significant sales bump. Big Orange, the popular West Little Rock burger joint, set a sales record the week it was featured. Owners of Brown Sugar Bakery and Stickyz, both in the River Market and both featured on “Pam’s Picks” last year, also told me they got big boosts after their segments, particularly from first-time customers outside of Central Arkansas.

More.

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 A block of cheese (soups) Next article The end of the road