Hot Springs Helens romp their way downtown.
By Alana Merritt Mahaffey
Look closely at the crosswalks downtown and you may see one…two…or thirty women dressed in retro caftans and curly wigs, pub crawling their way across Hot Springs. Arkansas recently joined the International Order of Mrs. Ropers (named for the unforgettable landlord and wife in the late ‘70s sitcom “Three’s Company”) with three chapters, the most recent, the “Hot Springs Helens” aka the Spa City Chapter.
It’s a national (and now international) trend that began as a wonky idea roughly ten years ago in New Orleans when a fan of the sitcom, Bud Moore, proposed a gathering of pub-goers dressed as caftan-clad Helens who would meet now and again to Regal Beagle their way from pub to pub.
Locally, Alana Piece saw an opportunity to bring complete strangers together, bonded solely by their love for the show, and fellowship in the name of Helen. “It’s something different—we are an older crowd all dressed similarly and with no real need to impress each other. We are all (for a few hours) this loveable, goofy woman.”
Pierce notes that within a week of forming the Facebook group over 100 women joined. Three weeks later, at the first gathering, over 25 women and their “Stanleys” (aka partners) attended. That night the Helens hosted a Meet and Greet at Splash Wine Bar, played Bingo at Maxwell Blade’s Theater, and had a Caftan Contest hosted by Chris Rix at his Central Cabaret Theatre. The group is looking to the spring to host a retro karaoke night, a sitcom-related trivia night, and a collaboration with other Arkansas chapters who hope to bring “100 Helens” in green caftans to the downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Hot Springs Helens are sponsored by The Retro Fit, 315 Ouachita, is free to join, and is always looking for new friends! Find the group on Facebook: International Order of Mrs. Ropers – Hot Springs Helens.
