Interviews

Johnice Cross ~ Owner - Mud Street Café

Can you give us a little background on your company? What do you do and what accomplishments are you most proud of?

Mud Street Café was opened in July of 1996, and was created from a location that was just storage for many, many years.

We have many awards from Arkansas Readers Choice Awards to write-ups in Southern Living and other regional magazines.

As a business person what are the benefits you find being located in Eureka Springs? Are there any drawbacks?

Benefits to being in Eureka Springs for a restaurant is the tourism industry. We could not survive on just local trade.

Drawbacks would be politics.

If you were coming here on vacation what would your list of "must see or do" agenda include?

All the nature stuff, museums, antiques, historical buildings would be on my agenda for a vacation here.

What would your ideal "night on the town" in Eureka Springs consist of?

My night on the town would be a nice dinner and a walk through downtown window shopping, maybe listening to some music in a non-smoking or outside venue. Possibly a carriage ride through the historic district.

What do you think of the people that live here? How vital is the diversity of the residents to your idea "perfect community"?

I like a lot of the people that live here, and others get on my last nerve. I really don't care what "type" of people they are, but would like to think they are community conscious and friendly and helpful to our visitors.

You have to have diversity in a community or you end being very boring.

Eureka Springs has quite a fascinating history. How important do you feel this is in today's fast paced world?

I love the fact that Eureka has such a fascinating history. It makes me, as a native, have strong roots to this town.

What does Eureka Springs mean to you?

Eureka to me means family heritage, strong investment, a place I will always call home, diverse population, beautiful and inspiring.

Has being in Eureka Springs lived up to your expectations?

Moving back to Eureka has surpassed my expectations and kept me very busy volunteering a good portion of my life away.
(I'm not complaining!)