01 Jun 2025 Life is a highway
Story and photos By Mike Kemp
One of my favorite stops while riding was discovered out of frustration.
Or, maybe I was just hangry.
Whatever the factors that led to my stop, I have made Hollis a stopping point during my rides on Highway 7. It was on a ride where I was making a loop through Plainview down Highway 27. I had noticed the towns of Rover and Onyx on the map while doing ride research (and, am I the only one that spends a lot of time looking for roads on maps?), so I thought it might be worth crossing those off my bucket list.
And truly, it was a fun route. I would make the loop by connecting 27 and 7 via Highway 298, a fun rural section of road that runs just north of Lake Ouachita. That would put me in Jessieville around lunchtime, where there was an establishment I wanted to try out. It was a brilliant plan.
I arrived at that establishment in synchronicity with my growling stomach. My mouth was watering as I approached the door when I noticed a sign saying cards were not accepted. And, of course, I had no cash.
Muttering a few things to myself, I headed back to the motorcycle, remembering I had stopped at the Hollis Country Store for snacks previously. Maybe the fun curves between where I stood and the store would help the grumbling in my stomach and in my head. Fortunately, I caught them before they closed. The elderly woman behind the counter was very pleasant, making small talk as I searched out a Snickers bar and something to drink. However, when I went to pay with a card, she told me she had to add a surcharge for any purchase under $5.
I was fine with that, but then she added, “Or, I could make you a sandwich.”
Heck yeah, I’ll take a sandwich.
She fixed one of their famous bologna sandwiches, which I somehow was unaware was their specialty until that point. I added a bag of chips and thanked her profusely. I then headed back south to a park beside the South Fourche La Fave River and enjoyed a very satisfying lunch.
This established a favorite stop for future rides.
The Hollis Country Store was established in 1930 and has been in the Crain family for a few generations. Currently owned by Donnie and Melissa Crain, it is perfectly situated halfway between Hot Springs National Park and Petit Jean State Park. This year marks the 95th year of operation.
The location is perfect for adventuring. It is located between a tasty set of curves to the north and south. It also makes a great stopping point for those who are venturing through the Ouachita National Forest with its proximity to Trail 86 and the Winona Scenic Drive.
You can find the usual selection of snacks while stopped there, but also some throwbacks. They offer the quintessential Southern snack: RC Colas and Moon Pies. But the star of the show is their fried bologna sandwiches. Using Petit Jean meats, you can order a sandwich any way you like, and there are even a few picnic tables outside under shaded pavilions.
It’s a gathering spot for locals as well as travelers. It’s not uncommon to hear the Crains greet patrons by their name or to find a group of motorcyclists gathered under the shade chatting about their rides.
Be warned that your cell reception is not great in that area. I once had a concerned spouse hitting the road looking for me because my location on Life360 hadn’t moved in a while, and her texts were going unanswered. Fortunately, it was just a matter of me sitting and chatting and not getting those texts. Only after I got back on the road and received a call in my Bluetooth headset from her did I realize the situation.
The store’s address is 2125 State Highway 7, Plainview (even though it’s actually in the community of Hollis), but my best advice is don’t worry about your GPS. Just get on Highway 7 and head south from Russellville or north from Hot Springs. You can’t miss it.
And if you see me there, say hello.
