Northwest Arkansas businesses take stand against ICE
Dozens of local businesses took action in solidarity with impacted communities across the country by donating profits and posting to social media.
In a show of solidarity, many local businesses are participating by donating profits during a Jan. 30 national shutdown. The national shutdown, called for by Minnesota activists, protests the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in communities across the country.
Owners of Bentonville’s Butterscotch Bakery say their industry is impacted by ICE in a Facebook post.
“It's becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the plight of our neighbors and nation and pretend nothing is going on,” the company posted on Facebook. “If this content makes you uncomfortable, then maybe it's working... We're called to love our neighbors, not detain them.”
The bakery is donating all proceeds from its “anti-ICE” cupcakes to people arrested and detained in Minnesota, the post said.
Arkansas immigration and refugee advocacy groups are also receiving donations from participating businesses.
Fayetteville’s Arsaga's coffee shops said all drink sales will be donated to Canopy NWA, the Project to Fight Against Federal Overreach and the Arkansas Immigrant Resource Center. The coffee shop also said it is supporting its workers who wish to participate in the strike.
The Library Vintage, a vintage rental and resale store in Fayetteville, said any outstanding invoices from 2025 would be forgiven if the customer brought a receipt showing a donation in the same amount to Alliance for Immigrant Respect and Education (AIRE).
AIRE co-founder Irvin Camacho described the local support as an immense feeling of love.
A partial list of participating businesses can be found here:
- Sicarú Coffee Roasters - Fayetteville
- Ozark Charcuterie Wine and Bar - Bentonville
- Pink Fern - Fayetteville
- Perrodin Supply - Springdale
- Little Candle of NWA - Bentonville
- The Boho Boutique - Fayetteville
- Little Bread Company - Fayetteville
- Two Friends Books - Bentonville
- Maude Boutique - Fayetteville
- Aunt Bill’s Vintage - Fayetteville
- Hillfolk - Bentonville
- Butterscotch Bakery - Bentonville
- Retro Roasts - Russellville
- Pinpoint - Fayetteville
- Be Good Photography - Fayetteville
- Handshake Fayetteville
- Turnbuckle Farm - Bentonville
- Bites & Bowls - Springdale
- Crisis Brewing Company - Fayetteville
- The Library Vintage - Fayetteville
- Dela Deville's Vintage - Springdale
- Hopwood Breads - Fayetteville
- Pearl's Books - Fayetteville
- Prism Aesthetics - Rogers
- Pizzeria Ruby - Johnson
- Leverett Lounge - Fayetteville