News

An Old South Arkansas Favorite Celebrates New Location

Published

1 year ago

January 28, 2025

Alan Fanning of Southern Classic Chicken (Center-Right in Camo) asked a 40 year employee, Minnie Berry if she would do the honors of cutting the ribbon during their ceremony.

EL DORADO – “Amazing what a week brings!” That was the sentiment of more than one attendee to the ribbon cutting ceremony for El Dorado’s Southern Classic Chicken. While the morning was quite cool, a number of people were thrilled when comparing it to the temperatures that stubbornly hovered in the teens and low 20’s before noon the week prior.

“My favorite part …”

The El Dorado – Union County Chamber of Commerce, its ambassadors, well wishers and even the curious gathered at the newest Southern Classic Chicken location on East Hillsboro in El Dorado to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony. Karen Hicks, VP of Membership & Events welcomed the crowd and handed the event over to Chamber CEO Bill Luther. Mr. Luther also thanked the crowd for their attendance before praising the owners of Southern Classic Chicken for their investment in the community. Mr. Luther talked about the product, fried chicken, but said his favorite thing about Southern Classic Chicken, “… is the 34 new employees you’ve put to work!”

Deep Roots, makes for GREAT Chicken!

The story of Southern Classic Chicken and how it evolved into what it is today began in 1976 when Leon Fanning started his first chicken restaurant. Leon then brought in his brother, Howard Fanning and his son Brandon Fanning to make what we know as Southern Classic Chicken. Today, a second generation of Fannings have taken the helm with Alan (Howard’s son), as well as Brandon and Alex Fanning (Leon’s sons) running the company’s day to day operations.

It was basically move or else!

The El Dorado restaurant is the company’s northernmost location and their lone store in Arkansas.The new location for Southern Classic Chicken is only about a quarter of a mile west of their previous spot, where they had been for the previous 40+ years. The move was precipitated by the State of Arkansas’ plans to expand Hillsboro Street into four lanes. The proposed route of the expansion would have had hot pavement and yellow stripes going through the middle of the kitchen.

“You don’t leave a community that has been good to you!”

At the ribbon cutting, Alan Fanning told the crowd that when he had to abandon the previous location, at the behest of the State of Arkansas, a number of people were “suggesting” locating his new restaurant to “a different area of town.” Fanning, however, said he couldn’t imagine the restaurant being anywhere other than El Dorado’s East side, saying: “My family built our first restaurant in El Dorado in 1976. El Dorado has been a great market for me and my family and this side of town has been very good to us, that’s why we fought to stay on this side of town.” Fanning recounted that he had exhausted his searches for a location when he met with a local Realtor, Jason Reed of Century 21 United, and together they were able to make a deal happen for the current site. “To be, what, maybe 220 – 250 yards down the road from where we were? That’s perfect. There were people that wanted me to go to the Avenue (North West) but you don’t leave a community that has been good to you!”

Get them in now and they’ll keep coming back

Fanning does admit he anticipates the future construction of the four-lane to hamper business temporarily but said that potential slow down was all the more reason to get people in and used to the new location. He hopes the quality and taste of the chicken, along with the “Southern” sides they have become known for will compel the public to tolerate the minor inconveniences of slower traffic once that construction begins.

More is better

Most restaurateurs would cringe knowing that another quick serve restaurant with the same type of walk-up / drive-thru model was going to locate near them. Not Alan Fanning! He looked next door to his new restaurant at an empty lot, pointed and said, “From what I am hearing, the hamburger place is supposed to be moving in right there. There was some talk that they were going to do some kind of a food truck type thing but I believe that has changed and now they are going with a brick and mortar restaurant. I welcome it, the more development and traffic we get to this side of town, the better.”

It starts with good people

Fanning said the move, along with the more than $1.2 Million investment, doesn’t happen without knowing you can have good employees and they will keep things going. “Miss Minnie Berry, she’s been with us, well let’s see, I think she’s been here for right at 40 years. When we closed the old location, she had said she was going to retire. Thankfully, we were able to talk her out of it for a little while longer. She brings a lot of experience and knowledge into that kitchen every day. We are really fortunate to have a really good group of employees.”

Don’t Stop Here

According to Fanning, the El Dorado ribbon cutting is one of many he plans to attend in the coming months and years. Currently the company operates 17 corporate locations. While talking with some locals who were in attendance, Fanning revealed plans to totally rebuild some other locations and open brand new ones. Fanning doesn’t plan growth just at the “corporate run” level, about three years ago the restaurant business was abuzz when a former in-house lawyer for the parent company of Popeye’s Chicken announced he had assembled a team that plans to franchise the unique Drive-Thru / Walk Up business model. Tom O’Keefe, who not only worked for Al Copeland Industries, (the parent of Popeye’s and Church’s Chicken) but did a stint in the corporate office of Ruth’s Chris and was President and Chief Operating Officer of Smoothie King, announced that SCC Foods, LLC and Ikonik Restaurant Brands, LLC would begin franchises of Southern Classic Chicken, building at least 15 new locations expanding into communities within 50 – 100 miles of Shreveport, LA and had committed to the New Orleans and Lafayette areas as well.

The El Dorado location is at 1011 E. Hillsboro, directly across from CARSTAR Laneys Collision Center.

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El Dorado Man Faces Charges After SWAT Standoff

Published

13 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — A 39-year-old El Dorado man is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Union County District Court on Friday after being taken into custody following a lengthy police standoff earlier this week.

According to the El Dorado Police Department, Gary Lee Moore was arrested Tuesday morning after officers responded to a reported aggravated assault and spent more than an hour attempting to negotiate his surrender.

Authorities said officers were first called to South Arkansas Regional Hospital at approximately 6:45 a.m. Tuesday after receiving information about a suspected aggravated assault. Investigators reported that the victim told officers Moore had threatened her life and warned that he would kill any law enforcement officers who attempted to intervene.

Following the report, officers went to a residence in the 2700 block of Mount Holly Road to locate Moore.

Police secured the area around the residence, including shutting down a portion of Mount Holly Road, while ensuring no other individuals were inside the home. Crisis negotiators then began efforts to persuade Moore to surrender peacefully.

According to police, negotiators used verbal commands and communicated with Moore several times by telephone during the standoff. Despite those efforts, Moore repeatedly refused to leave the residence.

After negotiations proved unsuccessful, the El Dorado Police Department’s SWAT team implemented tactical measures that ultimately prompted Moore to exit the home.

Moore was taken into custody without further incident.

He has been charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threatening, resisting arrest and several additional charges.

Moore remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Union County District Court on June 5.

The investigation remains ongoing.

News

Youth Festival Of The Arts Set For This Weekend

Published

13 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO, — Young artists from across South Arkansas will have an opportunity to display their creativity and connect with the community during the upcoming Youth Festival of the Arts on Saturday, June 6.

The event, presented through a partnership between the South Arkansas Arts Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Union County, will take place from 10 a.m. until noon at the Boys & Girls Club, located at 1201 N. West Ave. in El Dorado.

Organizers describe the event as a one-of-a-kind children’s art marketplace designed to celebrate and support young artists while encouraging creativity and artistic expression.

The festival will transform the indoor Lanxess Gym at the Boys & Girls Club into an art fair featuring artwork created by children and youth from throughout the region. Community members will have the opportunity to view the artwork, meet young artists and show their support for the next generation of creative talent.

The event is part of an ongoing effort by both organizations to provide artistic opportunities for local youth and help foster an appreciation for the arts in South Arkansas.

SAAC and the Boys & Girls Club have partnered on numerous programs focused on arts education, and organizers say the Youth Festival of the Arts is designed to give young creators a platform to share their work while building confidence and developing their artistic skills.

Community members are encouraged to attend and help support the area’s emerging artists.

Event Details

What: Youth Festival of the Arts
When: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Boys & Girls Club of Union County, 1201 N. West Ave., El Dorado
Hosted By: South Arkansas Arts Center and Boys & Girls Club of Union County
Admission: Open to the public

The event offers families a chance to celebrate creativity, encourage young artists and enjoy a morning dedicated to the arts in El Dorado.

News

Juneteenth Celebration Set For June 19th

Published

13 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Families from across South Arkansas are invited to gather for a day of celebration, education and community as the Justice League hosts its annual Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day on June 19 at the Murphy Arts District Amphitheater.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the MAD Amphitheater and will feature food, entertainment, activities for children and community engagement opportunities designed to bring residents together while promoting peace and unity.

Organizers say attendees can enjoy free food, frozen treats, community vendors, a bounce house, water slide, poster contest, speakers, live entertainment and free T-shirts while supplies last.

The event is presented by the Justice League and made possible through support from title sponsor Clean Harbors.

Celebrating Juneteenth

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free—more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Although Lincoln’s proclamation officially declared enslaved people in Confederate states free on Jan. 1, 1863, enforcement depended on the presence of Union troops. In many parts of the South, slavery continued until federal troops arrived and enforced the order.

The announcement in Texas marked one of the final acts of emancipation in the United States and became a day of celebration among formerly enslaved people and their descendants.

Over the decades, Juneteenth grew from local community gatherings into a nationally recognized observance. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day.

Today, communities across the country celebrate the holiday with festivals, educational programs, cultural events, parades and family gatherings that honor freedom, resilience and African American history.

Bringing the Community Together

Organizers of the El Dorado event say the Family Fun Day is designed not only to celebrate Juneteenth but also to encourage positive community engagement and promote efforts to reduce violence through education, fellowship and outreach.

Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend and take part in the festivities.

Event Information

What: Juneteenth Stop the Violence Family Fun Day
When: June 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Murphy Arts District Amphitheater, El Dorado
Admission: Free
Activities: Food, frozen treats, vendors, bounce house, water slide, poster contest, speakers, entertainment and more

The event is open to the public and welcomes families throughout the region to celebrate Juneteenth and the spirit of community together.

News

“Calling The Hogs” Event With Chuck Barrett Set For Tonight

Published

13 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Razorback fans will have a chance to hear behind-the-scenes stories from one of the most recognizable voices in Arkansas sports tonight as “Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth” comes to the Murphy Arts District.

The special event, scheduled for June 4 inside the First Financial Music Hall, will feature legendary Arkansas Razorbacks play-by-play broadcaster Chuck Barrett, whose voice has become synonymous with some of the most memorable moments in Razorback athletics.

Barrett will share stories from his years behind the microphone, offering fans a unique look at the people, moments and memories that have shaped Arkansas sports. The evening is expected to include tales from the broadcast booth, locker room stories and insights into some of the biggest games in Razorback history.

Serving as master of ceremonies will be longtime Arkansas broadcaster and storyteller Rex Nelson, who will help guide the conversation and add his own blend of humor and perspective throughout the program.

Guests will also enjoy a catered dinner provided by Madhouse 101. Dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m. before the evening’s program gets underway.

Organizers say the event is designed to bring together sports fans, community members and supporters of Arkansas athletics for an entertaining night of storytelling and fellowship.

Tickets are $50 per person, plus applicable fees and taxes. Seating is limited.

The event will be held tonight at the First Financial Music Hall at Murphy Arts District in downtown El Dorado.

Event Details

What: Calling The Hogs – Stories from the Booth
When: Tonight, June 4
Where: First Financial Music Hall at Murphy Arts District, El Dorado
Dinner Service: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $50 per person plus fees and taxes
Seating: Limited availability

News

Farmers Market On The Square Celebrates Growers Month

Published

13 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Grant Merrill

EL DORADO — Main Street El Dorado is inviting families to kick off June with fresh produce, local vendors and a creative activity for children during this week’s Farmers Market on the Square.

As part of Growers Month, the market will welcome local artist Pam Vernon for a free watercolor class designed especially for children. The class will take place Saturday, June 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., offering young artists an opportunity to explore their creativity while learning the basics of watercolor painting.

The activity is free and open to children attending the market with their families.

The Farmers Market on the Square is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon on Jefferson Avenue near the Union County Courthouse in downtown El Dorado. The market features a variety of local growers, farmers, artisans and vendors offering fresh produce, homemade goods, plants and other locally sourced products.

Main Street El Dorado officials say Growers Month is a celebration of the farmers and producers who help supply fresh, locally grown products to the community throughout the season.

Families are encouraged to come early, shop the market and participate in the watercolor class while enjoying a morning in downtown El Dorado.

The event provides a fun and educational opportunity for children while supporting local growers and small businesses that make the Farmers Market a community favorite each summer.