Business owner, friends giving new life to ballroom in historic 95-year-old building

BY LINDA CAILLOUET – Democrat Gazette

LITTLE ROCK — At Ninth and State streets in downtown Little Rock, the historic brick building wedged against Interstate 630 survived long after all of its neighbors fell to make way for newer buildings, parking space, or simply empty lots.

But 20 years ago, the regal building — marred by a gaping hole in its roof — appeared doomed to the same fate.

Kerry McCoy, owner of Arkansas Flag and Banner, fell in love with the threestory building at 800 W. Ninth and wanted to move her business, then in a house on North Little Rock’s Main Street, there. She bought the building in 1990.

At the time, many wondered if she’d lost her mind.