Arkansas Business, Feb 22, 2010 by Kate Knable
AbsoLucy Children’s Apparel
Owner: Marc Haynes
Address: 11601 Maumelle Blvd., Maumelle 72113
Phone: (501) 812-5829
Fax: (501) 812-5828
Web Site: www.absolucy.net
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., closed Sunday
Startup: Jan. 4, 2010
Baby shower gifts inspired more than gratitude in Marc Haynes after the birth of his daughter two years ago.
The Little Rock resident appreciated the handmade and high-quality gifts so much that he decided to provide central Arkansans with AbsoLucy Children’s Apparel, Maumelle’s only boutique carrying unique gifts and clothing just for infants and toddlers. The store is named after Haynes’ 22-month-old daughter Lucy.
“I thought it would be great if people could buy those gifts all in one place,” Haynes, 37, said. “That’s why we have the baby registry and provide free showers for people who register there.”
Emphasizing Haynes’ baby shower interest, AbsoLucy offers complimentary baby showers at the boutique, complete with free invitations, a maternity dress, cake and beverages for expectant mothers who register at the store,
“Really, they feel like a rock star,” Haynes said.
Haynes strives to offer merchandise through AbsoLucy that department stores and other children’s boutiques do not carry, such as handmade sweaters and jewelry, keepsake clothing made to be heirlooms and high-end specialty items like pettiskirts. Haynes buys items for the store from local businesses as well as from Dallas and Atlanta markets.
“Seeing little people wearing great clothes or getting great gifts is something I’ve always enjoyed.”
Haynes, director of compensation for Acxiom Corp. in Little Rock, has two full-time and three part-time employees running his store while he works at Acxiom.
Haynes said he had invested about $125,000 of his personal savings in AbsoLucy. He hopes to have continued success with the store and to launch a private AbsoLucy clothing line within the next few years.
Masala Grill & Teahouse
Owners: Zahid Abbasi and Amman Abbasi
Address: 9108 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock 72205
Phone: (501) 414-0643
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Sun., closed Monday
Startup: Nov. 19, 2009
Zahid and Amman Abbasi wanted to provide uniquely Pakistani cuisine and an unusual dining experience through their new business.
The father-son team combined the father’s experience with the son’s youthful enthusiasm to create Masala Grill & Teahouse. The restaurant offers familiar flavors to Little Rock’s Pakistani population and a cultural experience to American Southerners.
“My son was very motivated and I had the food service background,” Zahid Abbasi said. “We had a lot of support from the Pakistani community and American community.”
Amman Abbasi, 21, said the restaurant was a fusion of Pakistani and Western cultures
baby boutique clothing