SPRINGDALE, Ark. — AQ Chicken House announced it is reopening after closing its doors in March 2023.
The Springdale restaurant, established in 1947, was open for 75 years before closing down. Now under new ownership, the restaurant is set to reopen in 2025. A-Q stands for Arkansas Quality and the restaurant was always known in the community for its signature "over the coals chicken."
Springdale locals Tom and Robin Lundstrum and their daughter and son-in-law Gracie and Jacob Lively are teaming up to revive the restaurant.
“I am very much looking forward to working with my family to reimagine AQ and re-open the restaurant for future generations to enjoy. AQ is a 75-year-old institution that is part of the fabric of Springdale, and we can’t afford to let our history go,” said Tom Lundstrum.
AQ Chicken House held a reputation for hosting a community-based atmosphere and at one point was even visited by former President Bill Clinton.
The new owners say they are "driven by a deep appreciation for the restaurant's legacy" and want to continue those traditions.
The Lundstrums have lived in Springdale for more than 50 years and are among the residents who have memories at AQ Chicken House.
"Everybody went to AQ. I mean, it was probably the nicest restaurant in town," said Tom Lundstrum.
He added that the restaurant used to be a popular spot for family gatherings and celebrations, including his bachelor party in 1986.
"This has been a dream for a long time for him. He hates to see things that make Springdale, 'Springdale' go away," Robin Lundstrum said of her husband. "There are legacy restaurants and legacy buildings in Springdale, and this is one of them."
The family acquired the brand a few weeks ago and has begun looking at possible designs.
They say the old building was not in a condition that could allow it to be renovated in a way that would make it economically possible to operate a restaurant there anymore.
Their goal with the new location is to tie the past to the present, preserving the familiar atmosphere and memories that so many people have there.
"Where people gather, they start to form an identity in the social network," Tom Lundstrom said. "You'd meet there after church with your friends and family ... it's not a cookie cutter place to go eat; it was unique and had real good homemade food."
As they work to rebuild the restaurant, they want feedback from the community.
"We know it's really important to everybody in Northwest Arkansas," Gracie Lively said. "There is a spot on our website that says if you think you have a product or a service, if you're a local architect, or engineer or designer or somebody like that, and you think 'oh, I have thought about this before' or 'hey, now that I know it's coming back, I have a whole vision for it,' we would love to hear from them."
Although it will be an updated, reimagined version of AQ, a few familiar details are guaranteed.
"One of the most important things is there will be a toy chest," Jacob Lively said.
"And chicken over the coals," Robin Lundstrom added.
To stay up to date with the restaurant's reopening, click here.
