Category: Community Involvement

36th Annual International Greek Food Festival this Friday and Saturday

Posted on 10/21/20

Opa! Did you miss something this past May? The International Greek Food Festival? Well, it’s here! It’s a little different this year, but the food promises to be as good as always. The event, which is the largest ethnic festival in Arkansas, was postponed this May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Order now for pick-up Friday and Saturday

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, which has presented the much-loved Festival for over 35 years, will offer its famous handmade Greek food and pastries Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th for drive-through pickup. Featured dishes on the menu include gyros, pastitsio, spanakopita, two types of baklava, the Festival’s famous Greek meatballs, and much more. Order online and pick up between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at 1100 Napa Valley Dr, Little Rock.

“The 2020 International Greek Food Festival looks forward to continuing its tradition of serving food, friends, and the community,” said Festival Chair Jerry Horani. “While we can’t showcase our exciting entertainment, music, and cultural markets this year, we can still support fantastic charities with the help of our wonderful sponsors and the central Arkansas community.”

The International Greek Food Festival has donated more than $1.5 million to over 30 charities that serve children, families, and communities throughout central Arkansas. Proceeds from this year’s festival will benefit Community Connections, Centers for Youth & Families, Easterseals Arkansas, Humane Society of Pulaski County, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Wolfe Street Foundation, and Youth Home, Inc., as well as Annunciation Ministries. In addition, a truck from Arkansas Foodbank will be on-site at the church to accept all kinds of food donations.

For more information, a full list of the charities supported by the Festival, and a menu for the drive-through event, visit their website. Pre-ordering is now open.

Kelley Commercial Partners rebrands and looks forward

Posted on 07/23/20

We recently sat down the Daily Record to talk about Kelley Commercial Partners’ recent rebranding efforts and how excited we are about the future of the firm. CEO and executive broker of KCP, Hank Kelley, emphasized that while our name has changed, the company will continue to operate much in the same way it has for the better part of three decades. Most of the firm’s current partners have been in place for several years, and in order to underscore the value of their knowledge, experience, and hard work, Kelley wanted to include the word “partners” in our new name.

And before the ink could dry on our new business cards, an unexpected global pandemic hit and we knew our clients and tenants needed our support more than ever. Property managers and brokers worked closely with tenants to help them understand the process and red tape involved in obtaining state and federal assistance, while our facilities team helped to ensure the health and safety of the occupants in more than 7.4 million square feet of property managed by our firm. Kelley Commercial Partners has also been involved in negotiations that will bring Costco and Amazon to Little Rock.

All in all, it’s been a challenging year for everyone, but Kelley Commercial Partners still sees a bright future for Arkansas and we will continue to serve our community for decades to come.

Hank Kelley recognized by UALR School of Business

Posted on 06/24/20

Hank Kelley, CEO, Executive Broker, and Partner at Kelley Commercial Partners
Whitney Burgess, Vice President of Client Services and Strategy at Team SI

Today the University of Arkansas Little Rock School of Business announced it will honor Kelley Commercial Partners’ CEO, Hank Kelley, as Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for his the mark he has made in business and for his service to the community and UA Little Rock. Whitney Burgess, vice president of client services and strategy at Team SI, will receive the Dean’s Award for Excellence. Awards will be presented at the Distinguished Alumni Luncheon to be held Oct. 16.

Kelley received his MBA from the UA Little Rock School of Business in 1984, the same year he joined the firm which is now Kelley Commercial Partners. He has stayed connected at UA Little Rock over the years by serving on the Business Advisory Council and as adjunct instructor at the School of Business. Last year, Kelley and his wife, Stephanie, made a generous donation to A.P. Vibhakar Endowed Scholarship.

“I’m honored to be recognized by the university and appreciate the efforts of the faculty and administration to engage and stay connected to the business community,” said Kelley.

Morrilton — Small City. No limits.

Posted on 06/03/20

Our vice president of government relations, Jim Dailey, made a recent trip to the City of Morrilton and visited with Mayor Allen Lipsmeyer. This charming, historic city in the heart of the Arkansas River Valley is located in Conway County, just 50 miles northwest of Little Rock and about 20 minutes from Petit Jean State Park.

Mayor Lipsmeyer has been in office since 2015 and has dedicated himself to improving housing, employment, and business opportunities in Morrilton. Some of the city’s major employers include Green Bay Packaging, South Conway County School District, Walmart, and the University of Arkansas Community College Morrilton.

Watch the video

The residential real estate market in Morrilton is booming. One of the newest subdivisions has already sold every home built so far and further development is still in the works. Lipsmeyer is proud of this small town and the sense of community it offers its residents and visitors alike. The historic downtown includes the Rialto Community Arts Center, a venue for stage performances, concerts, and other events. Their first Thursday Farmer’s Market will reopen this Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. as a drive-thru market on the 100 block of Commerce.

On your next trip west on interstate 40, take a break and spend some time in Morrilton. Small city. No limits.

Rotary Club 99/Dunbar Middle School Mentoring Partnership

Posted on 12/10/19

The LRSD recently produced a video featuring Hank Kelley, Rotary Club of Little Rock 99 president, interacting with James Gray, an eighth-grader at Dunbar Magnet Middle School. The signature project of the Rotary Club is a partnership with Dunbar Magnet Middle School. The club currently has 20 members active in different stages of mentorship at Dunbar.

Hank mentors eighth-grader, James Gray, offering guidance, support, encouragement, and sometimes just an ear. Hank has tutored James in math, offered football tips, and donated his daughter’s drum set to the band. James is a member of the school band and football team and at a recent school assembly, he was presented with a music award and recognized for his grades — all A’s and B’s including an A in math. Both James and Hank look forward to a relationship beyond Dunbar and look forward to learning from each other.