See you in August. Walmart is planning for up to 50% of its corporate employees to return to their now dusty desk chair by the end of August. This target date marks almost 18 months since the diaspora from HQ back in March, 2020.

• Walmart reported in an email sent out to associates last week that the company plans to begin having employees return to the office as early as June 30.
• With vaccinations on the rise and cases on the decline, Walmart Chief People Officer Donna Morris thinks the time is right.

Quote: "We look forward to creating our new ways of working that will enable us to collaborate in person and provide flexibility as life requires, so we can contribute to building an even better Walmart for all,” Morris concluded in an email provided to Walmart associates.

You can read the full article HERE.

On Earth Day, Act 751 was signed into law in Arkansas by Governor Hutchinson, which may have invalidated the City of Fayetteville's Styrofoam ban.

• Acting up: Act 751 prohibits cities from regulating what to-go containers businesses can use. Ultimately, this may nullify the single use styrofoam ban recently adopted in Fayetteville.
• Fayetteville is the only city in the state to ban single use styrofoam, and it sounds like the City won't be able to enforce this any longer.

Deja Vu? Years ago, Fayetteville passed the first smoking ordinance in the state. The big "S" (State) disagreed. However, once the State realized this new regulation didn't stunt Fayetteville's economy, it followed suit and passed a smoking ordinance shortly thereafter.

You can read the full article about Act 751 and it's impact on your to-go orders HERE.

New things are coming to the North Forest - Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art recently announced three new focus exhibitions and a new outdoor installation will be added this year. The four new museum debuts are:

• This is the Day (April 24-August 16) Harmoniously fuses 24 artistic representations of Black faith and spirituality, including the work of Bruce Davidson, Faith Ringgold, and Arkansas-based photographer Aaron Turner.
• The Bruising: For Jules, The Bird, Jack and Leni (May 15) Artist Rashid Johnson combines influences of art, architecture, and nature in the North Forest this summer with new, outdoor sculptures.
• What I Know: Gifts from Gordon W. Bailey (June 26-October 11) An exhibition about knowledge featuring artworks created with a variety of media. The works are recent gifts from the collection of advocate, scholar, and collector, Gordon W. Bailey. 
• Selena Forever / Siempre Selena (September 22-January 2022) Visitors can hear the music of Grammy award-winning artist Selena Quintanilla-Pérez and enjoy a selection of nine photographs in which the singer shines.

More information on the upcoming exhibits can be found HERE.

A new way of investing has Arrived thanks to Hot Springs natives and U of A graduates Ryan Frazier and Kenny Cason. Their new tech startup changes real estate investing by letting anyone buy shares of rental properties for as little as $100.

• The challenge: With a booming housing market and large upfront payments, most people don't have the option to think about saving up to make real estate investments. On top of that, real estate investing takes time and expertise. Arrived helps solve this problem.
• How it works: "An interested investor goes to arrivedhomes.com, checks out the available homes, and purchases shares just like they buy shares of a stock" said Frazier. "Arrived finds the properties and manages the operations. Investors earn their share of rental income and property appreciation, and can view the homes they own in their portfolio online."

Arrived has already funded 6 investment properties in Northwest Arkansas, with a dozen more on the way. To learn more and make your first investment, visit Arrivedhomes.com. 

After taking a hiatus last year, the Fayetteville Roots Festival is marking its calendar with an outdoor event the weekend of August 26-28.

• The Lineup: Headliners are Shovels & Rope, Watchhouse (formerly known as Mandolin Orange), Capitol Sun Rays (a supergroup made up of Amy Helm, members of Birds of Chicago, Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi of Allstars, and Graham Lesh) and more.
• Adjustments: This year's event will be slightly different than years past, but we're not complaining! There will be limited capacity at the event, and it will take place at Pratt Place Inn and Barn, located at 2231 W Markham Rd. in Fayetteville.

View the full lineup of artists and preorder tickets today.