Spaaaaaaah

Arkansas Business, April 28, 2008

The intrepid quartet that is converting the historic Quapaw Baths on Central Avenue in Hot Springs into a posh day spa has set a June 4 opening date.

Whispers took a look around last week, and tremendous progress has been made on the distinctive building since last fall, but a lot more work has to be done in the next six weeks.

The crowning jewels are the original stained-glass skylights that were restored by Soos Stained Glass Inc. in Maumelle before being reinstalled.

It's been a year since Hot Springs architects Bob Kempkes and Anthony Taylor, general manager Don Harper and New York investor Steve Strauss in April signed a 55-year lease on the Quapaw, which, like the seven other bathhouses in Bathhouse Row, is owned by the National Park Service.