Written by Abbey Williams \/\/ Photo by Edgar Cardiel<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slader\u2019s Alaskan Dumpling Co. (SADCo.) celebrated 10 years of operating in Arkansas with a party. The family-owned business thanked its customers Jan. 21 in its Searcy location with a raffle for gift cards, a chance to win company merchandise and special discounts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alumnus Slader Marshall, owner and founder of Slader\u2019s, said the company aimed to tailor to college students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith any business, especially a small business, you have to identify your niche and cater to the community you serve,\u201d Marshall said \u201cWhen I started, I was a 22-year-old restaurant owner who had recently graduated from college, so I identified my niche audience as mostly young adults\/college students. In doing so, we kept our restaurant more relaxed and homey. We wanted students to feel like they had a place to go that felt like their own.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marshall said the company has grown as a Harding favorite since they opened in January 2014 after he graduated from Harding the year before. He said he exclusively hires Harding students, which has helped turn Slader\u2019s into a favorite hangout spot for Harding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBuilding a community around your food or your brand is built over time by hiring the right people, doing things the right way and being consistent,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cWe have really tried to do that and are thankful that we are still kicking around all these years later.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the 10-year celebration party, the prices were reverted back to the prices from when Slader\u2019s first opened. Marshall said there are exciting things happening on the horizon, including their recently opened food truck in Bentonville, Arkansas, as well as another food truck in the Little Rock area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith three full-time operations, you can get SADCo. all over the state,\u201d Marshall said. \u201cWe always have little secrets happening on the horizon, but you\u2019ll have to stay tuned.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summer Armstrong, an employee at Slader\u2019s said Harding students enjoy Slader\u2019s as a hangout spot, especially during the winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe get really, really busy during the snow days,\u201d Armstrong said. \u201cWe used to have events that the students loved, like we do trivia nights and things like that, and they seem to really enjoy that.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Armstrong said being close to Harding\u2019s campus has made it convenient for students to drop by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe still love having all our Harding people around,\u201d Armstrong said. \u201cBeing so close to campus is definitely where a lot of our business comes from.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Junior Claire Morrow said working at Slader\u2019s has given her an opportunity to connect with the community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI do really enjoy working for a small business,\u201d Morrow said. \u201cIt is much more personable than other jobs I have worked at. I also love getting to connect with the community over the unique food and experience of the restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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