The lights were turned off, the dancing ended and the clouds of cigarette smoke dissipated in July, after Bentonville's only dance club, BobbiSox, closed.

The club was located inside the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center at 211 S.E. Walton Blvd., but sounds of socializing and cheers may resound once again.

Pam Mock, general manager of the Clarion Hotel and Convention Center, said the hotel has bought a franchise from Boston Pizza Restaurants LP, a privately held company based in Dallas.

"Boston's was established in Canada and is moving to the United States. We were interested in getting on the bottom of a restaurant that is about to explode in growth in the United States," Mock said.

Mock said Boston's, a sports bar that serves pizza, pasta, salads and alcohol, will open April 1 in all 6,500 square feet that BobbiSox once occupied.

The restaurant will seat 200, with a glass wall to divide a family dining area from the sports bar. Boston's will serve lunch and dinner seven days a week, Mock said.
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2006/02/12/b ...