We were a dinosaur that managed to stay out of the tar pit.” That’s what Max Ryan, owner of Ryan’s clothing store in downtown Springdale, had to say just after announcing the store will close soon.
Far be it from us to take issue with Mr. Max Ryan, who fi gured out how to make a success of a business that was supposed to have gone the way of the dodo during this era of shopping malls, big boxes and digital retailing. But, with all due respect to Max, we think of Ryan’s not as a dinosaur, but as a comfortable pair of old shoes. You know, the ones you put on when you want your feet to feel just right. Those shoes are warm, inviting and dependable. Just like Ryan’s.
After more than 40 years, Max says it’s time to kick off those shoes and put up his feet. He’s earned it. He and his brother, Bob, worked in the store for their father, Troy, before taking over the business. Of course, Troy had started the whole thing back in 1941, managing the store when it was called Rowland’s. After Troy bought the business and put his own name on the sign, Ryan’s became the most consistent generator of commerce in downtown Springdale.
While other businesses followed the crowd out to the malls and shopping centers, Ryan’s stayed on Emma Avenue, selling clothes for men and women, boys and girls, infants and toddlers. Why, Ryan’s even expanded when a neighboring business owner by the name of Walton closed down his Ben Franklin fi ve-anddime and headed for greener pastures out near the highway. We hear tell he did all right, too.
Ryan’s didn’t budge. Unlike other familyowned downtown retailers across the country, Troy, Max and the family kept their customers coming in. See, the loyal shoppers knew what to expect from the folks at Ryan’s and in many cases, so did their children when they grew up and started buying clothes on their own. When other downtown clothing stores like Stroud’s in Rogers and Campbell-Bell in Fayetteville were turning out the lights, Ryan’s kept them on.
Max says the store still has business, but that retirement beckons and, well, it’s just time. That makes us sad. At the same time, we can see some opportunities ahead too. Springdale recently embarked on another eff ort to revitalize downtown commerce by approving a long-term master plan. Much of what the plan calls for — access to the area from the Razorback Greenway trail system, creating a scenic stream-side walkway — is cause for excitement. Perhaps Ryan’s will make way for a different kind of business and commerce along Emma Avenue. Perhaps a new generation of residents will discover what the downtown area has to off er.
It will take vision and commitment on the part of Springdale’s leadership to bring about those changes and to avoid having this revitalization plan join others on a dusty shelf. They’re off to a promising start, but the hard work is yet to come.
We hope the loss of Ryan’s won’t make it even more dift cult. But, we also can’t begrudge Max Ryan his well-deserved break. He’s done more than his share to keep downtown Springdale viable. Who will pick up the torch?