Ft. Smith’s Kinkeads under new ownership

Bar remains LGBTQ owned

by Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief

In 2009, Rick Eubank purchased Kinkeads in Ft. Smith with a dream to help change how people saw the gay community in Fort Smith. Eubank said that for him, as a new year begins, it's time for new things to happen with his life.

“When I first purchased the bar, I wanted people to know, that no matter what they were going through, or where they were in their lives, that there was always a place where they could be themselves, and always feel safe,” said Eubank. “A lot of time has gone by since then, and many things have changed for all of us. There is now marriage equality, and a much wider acceptance for our community.

“I love Kinkeads and I lovethe family that we have created here in Fort Smith. My heart, my soul, my time, and my effort has all been spent directed toward the passion that I have had driving me since day one. We made a lot of friends, we've shared a lot of hurts, successes, dreams, and we've loved and we've lost.

“At the end of the day though, there has never been a time in which I have felt that my mission for Kinkeads ever failed. I see you! I see you as a community bonded together with love, and with longing for a future. I am happy and satisfied that every goal I had was met.”

Eubank has sold the bar to Alan Keith Burkhart so he could move forward with accomplishing more dreams for his life.

“Jan. 1, 2017 was his [Burkhart’s] first official day as full owner of Kinkeads. I'm happy with the decision, and I hope all of you continue to support him as he takes Kinkeads to the next level and makes even better things happen for us all,” added Eubank. “I will be out from time to time as I'm in town, to visit and continue to be a part of our community efforts.”

Burkhart told The Gayly that he had lived in Dallas for 15 years and is trying to bring a big city appeal to Ft. Smith.

“We want to grow the community bigger and not just with the LGBT community, but for everyone,” said Burkhart. “We want us to become one community. I feel in the past, Kinkeads has been considered an alternative bar. We should all mix, even our nationalities.

“We want to become a bar that everybody can come together. I think we can do a better job bringing people together; more diversity.”

Burkhart said they will continue to do drag shows, fundraisers and community events.

“I think it takes everyone in the community to come together. We all need to learn to get along together.”

Burkhart said he feels privileged to step into in this role. “I’m ready to take it a step further.”

He said people from all around the region and beyond visit Kinkeads. “We pull people in from all around; Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City, Little Rock, Houston and, of course, Fayetteville.”

Ft. Smith’s population is about 87 thousand.

“Come see and feel the changes at Kinkeads,” Burkhart adds. “We have taken the ground work that was started and building on that. We think you’ll love what you find here.”

Eubank said his next goal is to establish a home for people who need it the most.

“I am currently looking for property, and will be opening a place to house and love the ones that no one else does. Since I've been in Fort Smith, I have worked with the homeless every chance I get. We have had ‘The Day of Love’ where we fed and clothed over 280 people in just one afternoon. Our community dinners, that were open to everyone, have provided meals to more people than I'm able to count. I'm so proud of our community for being the ones who made it all happen.”

Kinkeads current ownership has committed to help Eubank with his next venture, saying they feel it helps “build a sense of community.”

“While I will miss the club, I know that Keith has it all under control, and ultimately, the best time for anything is always now,” Eubank said in closing.

“Thank you all for your loyalty and love over the years. It will never be forgotten.”

Eubank would love for you to follow his journey on Facebook under /ricksranchofhope. Please "like" the page, and follow his journey…wherever it may lead.

For information about Kinkeads, follow them on Facebook at /kinkeadsfortsmith.

Copyright 2017 The Gayly – February 6, 2017@ 11:15 a.m.