LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Local business owners all have one thing in common, and that's relying on customers to survive.
A downtown Little Rock restaurant will close its doors after struggling with finances for more than a year.
"It's emotional. You know, I wasn't prepared to be sad yesterday than I was and it's carried on to today," said Rob Byford, owner of The Library in the River Market.
Rob Byford closed The Library's doors on Sunday night for the last time.
He said that opening right before the pandemic in January 2020 was challenging, but the last year and a half has been especially hard.
"We're still dealing with different trials and tribulations down here," Byford said.
He feels like one of his biggest issues in the River Market is crime.
"Mostly it's kids that get dropped off and they come down here and instead of fighting, they shoot at each other. So we've had three shootings in two years. One of them right out in the street in front of my restaurant," he said.
He also said there are other things behind the slow business.
"We've got a lack of parking, mostly due to construction and due to design," he said.
The River Market is the city's biggest entertainment district. Libby Lloyd with the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau said she's sad to see The Library go.
"The downtown area is number three as far as tax collection, so it's very crucial to our overall landscape as a community," Lloyd said.
Lloyd said full-service restaurants like the Library account for 30% of the overall tax collections.
"It is important that we all continue to support these restaurants, the best we can....visitors and locals alike, they really thrive in the river Market District," Lloyd said.
Byford said that it's not that easy, though.
"Unfortunately, I'm not going to be the only one that will. there will be more closures to come through the winter and or the first of next year," he said.
As he closes this business, he hopes that more people will support local places sooner rather than later.
"If there's a business, a local business, specifically that you want to support or try, go do it. Don't wait. Because more of us are gonna go away," he said.
It's unknown who will take over the Library's space next, but Lloyd hopes it will be filled soon.