Later this month, five local restaurants will team up with the Downtown Jonesboro Alliance for Meal on Main, a special evening of food and fun to showcase and benefit the nonprofit organization and its mission to promote the growth, energy and continued revitalization of the downtown community.

“Meal on Main is an event that we have seen some of our peer cities hosting and loving,” said Sarah Doss, executive director of the Downtown Jonesboro Alliance (DJA). “We felt it was a perfect event for Jonesboro, as we have so many amazing restaurants and chefs to show off in Downtown Jonesboro. A true community event like this feels like it fits right in with our event line up; it’s different enough to be unique while still working towards our mission.”

On Oct. 22, Main Street will transform into an open-air dining room under the string lights of Downtown Jonesboro for Meal on Main. Five downtown restaurants were selected from those who bid on the opportunity to be involved with the benefit and have created a menu fit for the intimate evening’s 150 guests. Cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.; guests are encouraged to stay downtown for a nightcap and live music afterwards. 

“After much deliberation, we chose to do a bid process for restaurants in downtown to bid on aspects they would want to be involved in,” said Doss. “We have negotiated costs with each participating restaurant so that our ticket sales will be able to cover the food costs.”

Meal on Main will feature hors d’oeuvres from Bamboo, Brickhouse Grill and Rec Room, a salad and dessert from Lemonade House Grille, and an entrée from The Cotton Club. Going forward, the annual event will serve as DJA’s sole fundraiser. Doss said this year’s proceeds will be divided to help cover costs for several of the organization’s improvement projects.

Lemonade House Grille, owned by Chad and Monica Campbell, opened downtown in 2023 and has quickly become a staple for local patrons.

“We got involved with Meal on Main because it is an event that will not only bring the community to our downtown, but it is also the only fundraiser for the Downtown Jonesboro Alliance,” said Chad, who is a member of the DJA board of directors. “DJA’s sole focus is the advancement and improvement of Downtown Jonesboro, and as business owners, we want to be part of that process, because it consequently helps us. 

“We are so excited for this event because it has been in the planning stages for a number of years, and we are finally seeing it come to life. The feeling of gathering with a group of friends downtown in the fall, with the lights above you and having a meal together, is something I wish everyone could be a part of. If one could sit back and truly embrace the friendships and our community, they would see it’s that sense of community that makes Downtown Jonesboro so special and why we love it so much.”

Sarah Nobles, who owns and operates Rec Room with her husband, Brian, was also eager to get involved with Meal on Main. 

“I’m on the DJA board and I own a restaurant right here in downtown, so supporting Meal on Main isn’t a stretch for me, it’s just part of showing up for the place I already show up for every day,” said Sarah. “We’re doing a walk-around appetizer spread featuring some new small plates we’ve been developing for our nighttime menu. It’s a chance to give people a taste of a totally different side of Rec Room, since most folks know us for breakfast and brunch, so this is us showing off where we’re headed after dark.”

Sarah says that events like Meal on Main not only raise support for DJA and the work it does, but also something just as important: they get people downtown, walking between spots and seeing what Downtown Jonesboro has to offer. That foot traffic and exposure benefit every business on Main Street, not just the ones who will be serving food that night.

“I’m most looking forward to getting to introduce people to our downtown and doing it shoulder-to-shoulder with the other downtown businesses that make this community what it is,” she said. “Events like Meal on Main are why Downtown Jonesboro keeps getting better. It takes all of us pitching in, and I’m proud Rec Room gets to be a part of it.”

For the night’s main course, The Cotton Club will be serving a tomahawk hand-cut Duroc pork chop that is finished with a port wine demi-glaze, accompanied by made-from-scratch sides.

“This is an event that we’ve been looking forward to seeing happen on Main Street in Jonesboro for several years,” said The Cotton Club’s owner, Tave Baker. “This type of event has been very popular and successful in other cities. This will be an event for Jonesboro and our historic downtown to be proud of. We are looking forward to a great turnout.”

Baker and all those involved in the planning of Meal on Main are also looking forward to joining forces and working alongside their fellow Downtown Jonesboro restauranteurs and advocates. 

“Meal on Main will really showcase different aspects of downtown,” said Doss. “We have the unique ability to accommodate such an array of different things here. I think most people think of downtown events and they think of bounce houses, big crowds and loud music, and although all of those things are fun and exciting, I’m excited to show an entirely different side of downtown with a slower-paced, higher-end event.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our community come together for a special evening showcasing our amazing downtown.”

For tickets to Meal on Main and more information about Downtown Jonesboro Alliance, visit downtownjonesboro.com.