Opinion: Daddy Warbucks

Louis Bryant: Faithful employee, Dickson Street
character, rest in peace

Daddy W. (and you too, gentle readers) have to admire
a man who worked for 60 years for one firm.
You also have to admire a firm that cherishes
longevity, faithfulness and hard work.
Recently, the passing of Louis Bryant Jr., reminded
those who were only obliquely familiar with the
long-time delivery man at Collier’s Drug of these lone
attributes. But there is more. Mr. Bryant was loved by his customers – the customers of Collier Drug Stores. I mean really loved and
admired. He was one of the most courteous,
kind-hearted men Daddy W. has ever known. It did not
confuse him that when he made a home, school, office
delivery you were: 1) in a hurry, 2) usually not
feeling so great; and 3) needed a little smile. He
always provided quick efficient service, a smile and a
simple nod of the head that let you know he (and
Collier Drug Stores) appreciated you calling them that
day. Mr. Bryant was also known for knowing people – he
probably knew everyone in Fayetteville three decades
ago – if not before then. If he met you once he
remembered you – maybe not your name – but he knew you
well enough to make you think he did. Take a look at the TV commercials for Collier Drug and those signs in the drug store parking lot for reserved
spaces and you will not have to wonder why the employees at are there for  so long. They love what they do. They love working there. And most of all -they love Fayetteville. As these words are written the main Drug Store on
Dickson Street will be closed for Mr. Bryant’s memorial service. Not many businesses do that these days, but then not many businesses have had the expert services of Mr. Louis Bryant for the last 60 years. Go in peace, rest well. It has been indeed been a pleasure getting to know an icon of Fayetteville.

GALS BEHIND BARS
The razor wire surrounded former Washington County Jail on North College Avenue in downtown Fayetteville will become a 170-bed women’s prison in January.

SELLING STOCK
Signature Bank is offering up some
new stock to its 449 shareholders (and the general
public too) for one of the fastest growing banks in NW
Arkansas – heck the state. The stock for sale will
range in the $150 per share price. Daddy W. has to
wonder if there is any stock left to buy.

TOP DAWGS
It wouldn’t be right not to recognize the absolute best news of late—the Fayetteville High School Purple Dogs football team won the State 7-A title. Congratulations!

NEW DIGS
Chancellor John White and his wife Mary Lib are back on the part-time residence rolls at a gated-community on Hilton Head Island, S.C. Back in
the summer with a $400,000 note from Arvest Bank the couple purchased a home in the Long Cove Club area. It’s not the first home the White’s have owned in the toney S.C. area.

BACK TO BACK
The valued Arkansas 20 stock index dipped to back-to-back lows recently. The index of local stocks begun in 1997 with the Bloomberg Report
fell to the 162.47 levels – but rallied back as the market rebounded.

MALL SPOT REOPENS
Mason’s women’s store, which opened a new location in a brand new building on Joyce Avenue, has re-opened its NW Arkansas Mall store. Mason’s management is in a lawsuit with the developer/contractor of the new shiny over building schedule of that property. It was late. Stay tuned.

‘BURGER TAX
The September advertising and promotions taxes (that hamburger, motel tax) shows increased food sales for the fall. The top five revenue generators in town: UA Food Service/Sodexho; Olive Garden; Red Lobster; Golden
Corral and Chick-fil-A. They were followed by: TGI Friday’s; Chartwell Dining; Noodle’s Italian Kitchen; Penguin Ed’s and McDonald’s on 6th Street.