Exploring Bella Vista’s Transformation with Mayor John Flynn

02/12/24 • 38 min

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn. Bella Vista is known for its scenic beauty, outdoor activities and growing community spirit, and as only the third mayor in the city’s history, Mayor Flynn’s leadership is pivotal in guiding and shaping Bella Vista’s growth. With a diverse background in law, education and public service, Mayor Flynn’s journey from corporate counsel to professor to Mayor of one of Northwest Arkansas’s most picturesque cities, solidifies his commitment and willingness to serve and improve the community he has grown to call home. Throughout the conversation, Mayor Flynn shares Bella Vista’s compelling blend of rich history and his vision for its future. He also discusses how the town’s friendly residents, community spirit and quality of life attract newcomers seeking natural beauty and opportunity, making Bella Vista a true gem in Greater Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.

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Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn

(3:59) Mayor Flynn’s Motivation for Public Service

(5:36) How Mayor Flynn’s Experiences Have Shaped His Mayoral Career

(7:21) Bella Vista’s Fascinating History

(11:40) Mayor Flynn’s Vision for Bella Vista’s Future

(16:10) Bella Vista’s Personality and Its Role in Northwest Arkansas

(19:20) Current Developments in Bella Vista

(23:40) Experiences People Can Have in Bella Vista

(25:49) Mayor Flynn’s #BecauseBellaVista Story

(27:16) Why Bella Vista is Unique

(31:43) Advice to Residents Aspiring to Get Involved in Local Government

(34:02) Closing Question

‍Links

James Bell

Bentonville Economic Development

Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Mayor John Flynn

City of Bella Vista

Quotes

“[Bella Vista] has continued to grow in a successful way, and for the future, it certainly appears we’re going to continue to have growth, and that’s not going to be a problem. I’m looking to have controlled growth and maybe even keep from growing too fast. We’d like to develop the commercial side a little bit more.” - Mayor Flynn, (12:10)

“The nice thing about this area is there’s people in Bentonville and in Northwest Arkansas who are very interested in connectivity. Walmart’s been encouraging their employees to ride to work, and they have a goal of having ten percent of their employees riding their bikes to work, and there are a few people from Bella Vista doing that now.” - Mayor Flynn, (13:59)

“[Bella Vista’s] morphed into a combination of a [retirement community] and a bedroom suburb because so many people are going into town working at Walmart or JB Hunt. So we have an awful lot of people working at those folks and living in Bella Vista. And the trails have had an effect of making Bella Vista a bit younger, too...We have a vibrant trails community. And to have a lot of different outdoor activities, whether on purpose or just developed that way, we’ve become quite an outdoor recreational area and Bella Vista has certainly got a lot of outdoor recreational opportunities.” - Mayor Flynn, (16:48)

“[Bella Vista] is very welcoming and I feel like it’s a special place. And one of the things I always think about is you could play golf, or you could go on the trails, or you could go to Cooper Chapel, but most people move from out of town and the thing they comment on is how friendly and welcoming the people are.” - Mayor Flynn, (27:32)

Summary

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn

(3:59) Mayor Flynn’s Motivation for Public Service

(5:36) How Mayor Flynn’s Experiences Have Shaped His Mayoral Career

(7:21) Bella Vista’s Fascinating History

(11:40) Mayor Flynn’s Vision for Bella Vista’s Future

(16:10) Bella Vista’s Personality and Its Role in Northwest Arkansas

(19:20) Current Developments in Bella Vista

(23:40) Experiences People Can Have in Bella Vista

(25:49) Mayor Flynn’s #BecauseBellaVista Story

(27:16) Why Bella Vista is Unique

(31:43) Advice to Residents Aspiring to Get Involved in Local Government

(34:02) Closing Question

‍Links

James Bell

Bentonville Economic Development

Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Mayor John Flynn

City of Bella Vista

Quotes

Previous Episode

Yeyo's Next Chapter: Farm Fresh to Culinary Ventures with Chef Rafael Rios

Summary

In this installment of The Bentonville Beacon, James Bell hosts Chef Rafael Rios, Founder and CEO of Yeyo’s. Yeyo's stands out as a celebrated culinary enterprise in Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas, acclaimed for its authentic Mexican cuisine and dedication to sustainable farming practices. This journey began with the Rios Family Farm and one of Bentonville's first food trucks, eventually expanding into multiple venues, including a restaurant in Bentonville’s 8th Street Market and a mezcaleria in downtown Rogers. Yeyo's is distinguished by its farm-to-table approach, using fresh ingredients from the family's farms to craft flavorful and traditional Mexican dishes. Chef Rios has been recognized as a multi-time James Beard Semifinalist, underscoring Yeyo's exceptional culinary quality and innovation. This prestigious acknowledgment places Yeyo's among America's top culinary experiences, highlighting its commitment to excellence and deep-rooted passion for Mexican food culture. During the discussion, Rafael shares how his familial heritage has shaped Yeyo’s approach to cuisine, how he blends his roots with the local culture and how Yeyo’s remains true to its farm-to-table philosophy while providing distinct experiences at each of its establishments.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:54) Introduction to Chef Rafael Rios

(4:04) Rafael’s Journey to Becoming a Restaurateur

(10:23) Multi-time James Beard Award Semifinalist

(12:59) Passion for the Farm-to-Table Philosophy

(19:32) Key Factors Leading to Yeyo’s Growth

(20:41) Breaking News: Unveiling Casa Magnolia in Springdale and a Fayetteville Food Truck

(24:39) Each Yeyo’s Location Offers a Unique Experience

(29:47) Happiness is What Brings People to Bentonville

(33:44) Rafael’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(35:56) Blending Rafael’s Mexican Roots with Local Culture

(39:12) The Spiritual Connection of Corn and Mexican Cuisine

(41:51) Advice to Aspiring Culinary Entrepreneurs

(43:41) Closing Questions

‍Links

James Bell

Bentonville Economic Development

Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico

Yeyo’s Mezcaleria y Taqueria

Quotes

“We have the ability and the capability of changing the culinary scene in our region...We are resilient. We know what we want, and our team embraces that. Our family embraces that. We work harder now...it allows us to fulfill a certain level of obligation that we now have with our community, the Latino community specifically, to empower them and let them know that we’re here and that we can do a lot of things if we do it from the heart.” - Chef Rafael Rios, (11:24)

“[Family] matters to what I consider a vital element to a healthy community. So what is it that you are truly doing with your business, and how is it seen by the community? Is it a sustainable business? But the most important thing is the added value to a meal and how it connects with the soil and Northwest Arkansas...everything is tied up to an experience at the end of the day. So we focus on what the experience is going to be.” - Chef Rafael Rios, (18:21)

“There is love for community, which is one of the biggest things that drove me to live [in Bentonville]. There is kindness throughout. There are opportunities...Living in Bentonville is a culmination of what our story was initially intended to be. We were looking for a place where we can be ourselves and we can be happy, a place where we can have opportunities to grow. Our kids can have good schools to go to, and the overall quality of life is amazing...So the overall thing is happiness. Happiness is what brings people to Bentonville.” - Chef Rafael Rios, (30:01)

Next Episode

Brewing Community: A Journey Into Coffee and Culture with Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, Co-Founder and Owner of Third Space Coffee, a beloved coffee haven nestled inside Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas in Bentonville. As an award-winning documentary filmmaker, Brooke’s work has appeared in National Geographic, PBS, NBC Sports, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, ABC Australia and more. Brooke’s curiosity and passion for cultural experiences led her to embrace the study of food anthropology and delve into the world of coffee, exploring the rich histories and communal aspects hidden in every cup. With the belief that sharing moments over coffee can create a lasting impact and break down barriers, Brooke shares about the founding of Third Space Coffee, why its menu is as intentional as the space it occupies and how it's fostering a community hub on the ancestral lands of the Quapaw, Caddo and Osage, in the heart of Bentonville, where connections are forged, ideas are exchanged and dreams are nurtured.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:53) Introduction to Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

(2:48) From Documentary Filmmaker to Coffee Shop Owner

(7:51) About Third Space Coffee and Why It’s Unique

(12:29) Third Space Coffee’s Mission

(17:52) Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas

(20:29) Potential Opportunities with 8th Street Gateway Park

(23:25) Community Partnerships

(28:37) Brooke’s Journey to Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas

(31:56) Brooke’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(35:08) Advice for Tackling Unknown Challenges

(43:53) Closing Question

‍Links

James Bell

Bentonville Economic Development

Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

Third Space Coffee Co

Bierhaus Creative

Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas

Quotes

“I think one big thing about Third Space is that even in the name, we teased how we’re a third place now. Third places are needed in society. They’re not home or the office. They’re this place where it needs to be accessible in public to everyone.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (7:59)

“We always say that we’re not just connecting humans to humans, we’re connecting humans to nature, humans to wildlife...but maybe it is a day where you put headphones in and you just want to work somewhere that’s good energy and around good people. And that’s what we want to provide.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (9:50)

“It was really important to us to be this shining bright light on someone’s day. And people who come in, they could be having an awful day, but if you get just three to five minutes to make it better, you’re doing something right.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (16:02)

“[The Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce has been] huge in allowing us to really get connected with other businesses as well, and be a part of the community and to either give some of our time and also be given a lot of insight and connections as well.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (23:36)

“People really lend their time, and I really believe that could only happen [in Bentonville]. And so Third Space Coffee is the manifestation of all of that, the culmination of all those connections.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (34:10)