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Food & Beverage Services - Success Stories
Inn at Carnall Hall & Ella's Restaurant – Feasibility/Market Study and Food & Beverage Consulting
"It was great working with you on the Carnall Hall feasibility study. I feared that our expectations might be unreasonable on this project with the tight NCRC grant deadline, but you pulled it off. You met and exceeded all of our expectations. I have never worked with a consultant who was so thorough, diplomatic, focused, and prepared. The quality of your work was superb."
David Martinson,
Associate Vice Chancellor, Business Affairs,
University of Arkansas
Project
Built in 1905/06 as a women's dormitory on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Carnall Hall was named after the first woman professor at the University, Ella Carnall. After outliving its use as a dormitory, the building was used for classrooms, and later as a fraternity house. The building was closed and unused for ten years prior to its renovation and re-opening in August 2003. Richard D. Williams, President/Managing Director of HVS Food & Beverage Services, was engaged by the University to perform a market and feasibility study. Mr. Williams also helped the University select a developer to partner in the renovation of the building.
The HVS Assignment
HVS Food & Beverage Services began work on this assignment in 2000. It quickly became evident to all involved that the project might not be economically feasible. Richard Williams assisted the University with developing a state historic building grant application and a financing plan, and suggested alternative financing arrangements that were eventually utilized. HVS Food & Beverage Services completed a market study with projections of revenue and expense for the hotel and restaurant that incorporated the input of University professors and staff from a variety of colleges and departments within the University. Once the financing aspect of the project was completed, and initial architectural plans were drawn, Richard Williams was again retained by the University, and assisted in the selection of a developer.
Results
A development group was selected. Financing was obtained which included a $2.1 million grant from the State of Arkansas, and the building was completely renovated. In August 2003 the Inn at Carnall Hall and Ella's Restaurant opened to the public and received much acclaim from satisfied University staff, alumni and local townspeople. At the annual Homecoming breakfast in October 2003, entitled "Dreams Can Come True," Richard Williams received a Medallion from the University of Arkansas, School of Human Environmental Sciences, thanking him for his participation in the Carnall Hall renovation project.
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Sign
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Small Guestroom
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Inn at Carnall Hall Lobby
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Lobby Seating Area
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Ella's Restaurant
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Kitchen in Ella's Restaurant
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