Business in Searcy boomed this year with the addition of new stores and restaurants and the renovation of old favorites.

There has been a lot of recent growth and beautification within downtown Searcy. The Soda Jerk opened this summer, along with the renovation of Burrito Day, and the reopening of the Cookie Basket. The Rialto Theater is also in the process of remodeling the inside to match the new exterior.

“One of the things Dr. Burks is trying to do is to get the downtown area where Harding students will want to go down and hangout knowing it will be a safe place,” Buck Layne, president of the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, said. “There will be safer sidewalks from campus to the downtown area, as well as more lights along the sidewalks.”

Downtown Searcy is expected to keep expanding and growing in the coming years according to the chamber of commerce.

“Searcy is a great place to live, and there are many things to do,” Layne said. “There are things for everyone, which is something you don’t really get in smaller towns. And all of the new restaurants and stores downtown appeal to a younger age group.”

Outside of downtown Searcy, Whole Hog Cafe joined Searcy on Beebe Capps Expressway on the west side of town. At the opposite end of Beebe Capps, a new shopping center is being constructed with a Hobby Lobby opening Sep. 10, a Five Below opening Sep. 7, a TJ Maxx and an Ulta Beauty.

“The most exciting thing is seeing the new growth in Searcy,” Jennifer Skinner, public relations coordinator for the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, said. “It’s going to bring new people into Searcy and create a lot of new jobs within the community.”

Chit, Chat, and Chew and Truth Table are new restaurants opening up within the next year. Chit, Chat, and Chew will open next to the Rialto Theater downtown and will serve a breakfast and lunch menu. Truth Table sits next to the Natural Food Store on south Main Street. Their focus will be fresh, locally-sourced produce and meat.

“It will be a while until the businesses are opening, but it will be well worth it,” Tara Cathey, vice president of the Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, said. “It’s just exciting to see what all these new places are bringing into Searcy and what they can offer everyone.”