Rapha headed to Bentonville, Arkansas, to open pop-up retail store

Rapha headed to Bentonville, Arkansas, to open pop-up retail store

Rapha brings its pop-up retail store to this growing cycling destination in Northwest Arkansas for a five-week run, featuring apparel, group rides, and events. The company moved its headquarters to Bentonville last year.

Beginning Oct. 1, the cycling apparel brand will open its Clubhouse at 117 W. Central Ave. in downtown. The Clubhouse will showcase Rapha’s latest collections and be home base for several events and community activities, including pro athlete meet-and-greets, cyclocross viewing parties, and trail advocacy initiatives.

Bentonville bike initiative to help identify school infrastructure needs

Bentonville bike initiative to help identify school infrastructure needs

The Walton Family Foundation studies show cycling was responsible for $137 million in benefits brought to Northwest Arkansas in 2017, according to the 2018 Economic and Health Benefits of Bicycling in Northwest Arkansas. That figure includes $51 million in economic activity and $86 million in health benefits. The foundation has invested in cycling over the past decade, including $74 million to help build 163 miles of soft-surface and paved bike trails across the region.

District schools are helping to further identify needs by encouraging students to ride bikes to school in September through the Bike Bentonville Schools campaign, said Leslee Wright, district communications director.

The district has partnered with Runway Group for the initiative, she said.

Lourdes Peredo Honored as ’20 in Their 20s’

Lourdes Peredo Honored as ’20 in Their 20s’

“I want to be able to help make this community of northwest Arkansas the best place to live in the U.S. for everyone who is here right now, but also those who will move here in the future,” Peredo said. “What does someone new to the area need to feel welcomed and feel like they belong? We want everyone here to feel this is a place where everyone belongs. That is my story.”