Vilonia's Big Ben's to offer more than pizza

VILONIA When one talks about Big Ben, castles and royalty they often are sharing thoughts of London, England. However, it may not be but a few more months until such talk could bring to mind images of Vilonia.

Big Ben's, measuring about 12,000 square feet under one roof, is under construction on U.S. Highway 64 in Vilonia. Although it will not be famous for a clock connection, it is anticipated to be famous in its own right. It is anticipated to be open by late spring and offer steak, seafood and pizza in a restaurant built around a Nascar museum, which will include as part of its dcor a race car driven by Dale Earnhardt Sr., who died in a last-lap crash during the 2001 Daytona 500, and who is best known for racing stock cars in NASCAR's top division.

"This is not a replica of one of his cars. It's the real deal," said owner Ben Waggoner. "It is going to be advertised as a racing museum with a restaurant built around it."

Easy access, Waggoner said, "there will be no steps and plenty of ramps," for his customers, as well as adequate parking.

The idea for the restaurant began with "a little pizza place," Waggoner said, referring to his Pizza Pro restaurant, just down the road from the building site, which he has operated for about eight years. Yet, that is not his only business. At 42, he's also builds houses. He said he has been working on Big Ben's for about two years and paying for the facility out of his pocket as it has progressed.

"It would have been done before now if building hadn't crashed," he said. "But, house building has been good to me."

If you are a racing buff, the restaurant may be the most important aspect. However, it will not be the only attention-getter. The facility will also house two banquet rooms as well as a large indoor playground, Waggoner offered. The playground will include 11 tube and tunnel slides and measure four stories tall.

"Both sides will operate independently. There will be two crews under one roof," Waggoner described.

Pointing to tall, unpainted walls in the playground side, Waggoner shares what some of the castle scenes on them will look like when completed.

"This is going to be Castle City," he said, pointing out five rooms that will serve as birthday party rooms where themes will come to life during each individual birthday party. It is Waggoner's hope that each child will feel like royalty on their special day whether they decide for a royalty theme or one that includes a live costumed-character.

"We will be able to have themed birthday parties from babies on up," Waggoner said. "We are saying this is the home of the perfect birthday party."

Connecting the birthday rooms is a commons area, welcoming visitors inside. It houses an operational indoor Disney safari train and a hand-painted carousel just waiting to be ridden. The train was purchased in Orlando. The carousel, Waggoner said, cost $250,000 dollars and was purchased from a resort in New York.

In addition, gamers will have an opportunity to hone their skills playing the 100 or more arcade-style games that will round out the play area.

The project doesn't stop on the inside either, there are plans for an outdoor food court with plenty of tables for the outdoor types as well as to take care of the patrons who are playing miniature golf and riding go-carts.

The 42-year old, referring to himself as "Little Ben," shares that he chose the name Big Ben's to honor his father.

"I'm little Ben. My dad is Big Ben. And, this is Big Ben's after my dad."

His father, who is retired, on occasion can be found at the building site observing the progression of his namesake. The older Ben beamed with pride Saturday as the younger Ben referred to him as his "PR man."

The older Ben said his son grew up in the Mount Vernon community working in a family business making furniture that required "thinking outside the box," which he contended his son has definitely done on his latest project. The elder Waggoner said he has especially enjoyed watching this project, "his namesake," come to fruit.

"I couldn't be prouder. Of course, his mother and I are in our second childhood, and we will be hanging around to help him out. But, this is all his. He's made it happen."