Category: Downtown

An Insiders Look Into the Local Businesses Earning National Recognition in Downtown Rogers, AR

James Beard Foundation: 2025 Semifinalist Nominations

Inside the walls of The 1907, a historic building located in Downtown Rogers, AR, several businesses are putting the Northwest Arkansas food scene on the map—with industries spanning from culinary to coffee.

Chef Jason Paul of Heirloom at the 1907 and Andrea Allen Co-Founder of Onyx Coffee Lab

In January 2025, the James Beard Foundation nominated Chef Jason Paul with Heirloom at the 1907 and Onyx Coffee Lab as a semifinalist for its Best Chef: South and Outstanding Bar categories.

Chef Jason Paul with Heirloom at the 1907

Heirloom at the 1907 is a tasting menu restaurant located inside The 1907 (101 E Walnut St #301, Rogers, AR 72756), offering guests a reservation-only, 2–3-hour experience featuring an 8-10 course menu that changes monthly.

Chef Paul co-owns this Rogers dining destination alongside his partner Danielle—in addition to Pinky Swear, a hi-fi cocktail bar also located inside The 1907.

“It’s taken everything that we’ve had to get to this point,” said Paul. “I’ve wanted a James Beard Award since like our very first started. 30 years later, I have a semifinalist nomination, which I was not expecting.”

Onyx Coffee Lab – Rogers HQ

Onyx Coffee Lab has received dozens of prestigious national and international awards, now including a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination.

“We’re one of the first coffee centric companies to be nominated for one of these awards,” said Andrea Allen, Onyx Coffee Lab Co-Founder. “It’s really cool that coffee has become to be considered something that is as high end as, you know, a great cocktail bar or a great restaurant.”

Inside the walls of Onyx Coffee Lab HQ in Rogers, guests will find classic coffee, specialty lattes, pastries and breakfast–alongside branded merchandise and swag.

“I think we’re just trying to honor the past while bringing the future—being progressive in what we do in a building that has way more history than any of us,” said Paul. “To have a couple James Beard nominees in Downtown Rogers, it’s a pretty big deal.”