08/04/2026
Our Beyond the Divide team shared an update about the documented sales across the life of the project. Nearly $100,000, not including guest vendors, was generated from businesses at various stages of experience. This is meaningful because the businesses were operating in:
1. Temporary Storefronts (most without a/c)
2. A newly created district without an established customer base
3. Limited weather protection
4. Inconsistent operating schedules
5. Limited marketing
6. No fully planned business development program
Despite the lack of professional marketing, financial literacy support, and other infrastructure typically associated with a business incubator, our group of entrepreneurs were able to successfully show that customers would support businesses on W 9th St. They would show up to events and activations that support culture, arts, & history. And create a demand for community-oriented programmed space in our downtown.
It’s been a little while since we’ve shared an update on Beyond the Divide, but the work continues behind the scenes. We want to share a preview of our project summary report!
From April through July, participating businesses generated nearly $100,000 in documented gross sales through The Line on 9. Beyond the Divide succeeded in demonstrating market demand and commercial activity, while also revealing the support businesses would need to become more consistent and sustainable on W 9th Street in downtown Little Rock.
That number is especially meaningful because this was a temporary demonstration—not a fully funded business incubator. Our entrepreneurs operated without the complete package of business coaching, financial literacy, coordinated marketing, reliable infrastructure, and long-term preparation that a project like this truly demands.
Even with those limitations, the project created real commercial activity, introduced customers to local businesses, and showed what is possible when entrepreneurship, culture, history, public art, and placemaking come together on West 9th Street.
Our team is now developing a feasibility report and impact assessment to better understand what worked, where support was missing, and what it would take to continue Beyond the Divide in a stronger and more sustainable way. We hope to release this publicly!
Imagine what these entrepreneurs could accomplish with the proper preparation, resources, and long-term investment.
Thank you to every business owner, partner, sponsor, volunteer, and community member who helped bring this vision to life. We are continuing to pursue funding, partnerships, and future opportunities so that Beyond the Divide can come back bigger and better! Until next time
