Before anyone digs into the food and drink at La Media Luna in Johnson — authentic conchinita pibil, delicate yet hearty chile en nogada, vibrant pastel yellow-hued enchiladas habanero, and the list goes on — they notice the ambience and design. A plush hidden dining room and bar adorned with modern Mexican art, and a comfortable patio residing over by a bright red mural from famed artist Octavio Logo — indeed, before you take a sip or bite, it’s obvious there’s nothing else in Northwest Arkansas that looks or feels like La Media Luna.

Just off the square in downtown Fayetteville, the iconic Five West Mountain building rises seven stories, framing the east side of the Fayetteville Town Center Plaza. The top four floors of the building house the Five West Mountain Luxury Condo, with the bottom floors leased commercially.

Situated between Rogers and Fayetteville, many would say that Springdale serves as the central location for the Northwest Arkansas region. Though Springdale has experienced slower growth than some other Northwest Arkansas cities, especially in the revitalization of its downtown, that is about to change. The Downtown Springdale Alliance, led by Jill Dabbs, is on a mission to create an inviting downtown area that attracts new businesses, events and residents.