Bentonville's new Airship takes visual cues from Hollywood
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Mark and Amber Bray, owners of Airship at the new Pumphouse location in Bentonville. Photo: Worth Sparkman/Axios
Airship's newest location takes part of its design aesthetic from Wes Anderson films, according to Lori Yazwinski Santa-Rita.
Driving the news: The partner of Jennings-Santa-Rita Architects addressed business and city leaders at the new coffeehouse Tuesday.
- The Pumphouse spot, near downtown Bentonville, opened June 12.
Flashback: Built in 1954, the Pumphouse building was originally a water treatment facility for Bentonville, moving water from nearby Ford Springs.
- It became nearly obsolete just a few years later when the Beaver Water District was formed to serve the entire NWA region.
- The building was then a Head Start location for many years.
What they're saying: The visual design, combined with its location in a residential neighborhood and proximity to a soft bike path, add to the spot's sense of "place," Airship owner Mark Bray told the audience.
The intrigue: The basement houses a mechanic's bike shop so cyclists with a blowout or bent derailleur can drop in for a fix.
Check it out: The location is open 7am-7pm Sunday-Thursday and 7am-10pm Friday and Saturday.
- In addition to a full coffee menu and pastries, light fare in the form of salads and baleadas (open-face tacos) are available.
What's next: Rum-based cocktails and a slate of beer offerings are coming soon, Bray told us.