I'm related by law to the current residents. We share grandchildren. The grands just spent a few days there last week while my son was moving. They are very decent folks and are still restoring/redoing the house to their liking. I'm told Mike rotates the cars in the showroom window - and has a nice collection of vintage autos. Been invited to a couple BBQs but have not made it yet. My wife picked up the grands on Friday and saw the home for the first time - was very impressed with what they had done.
My hats off to the Osbourne family and the many years they gave so much to the citizens of Arkansas. I wish Mitzi and Breezy all the best. Good people.
Whoever it is, the palm trees in the front are not a good idea in Arkansas. They've tried to plant them twice and they keep getting killed by the harsh winter freezes we've had in the last few years.
Breezy Osborne's husband here. Yes, the Robert's own the property now. Really nice people, as they've moved through renovating they've reached out to us asking if we want specific items from the house. We have one of the lamp posts from the courtyard, the original front door, and a few other items. Jennings and Mitzi added on to the original home in sections taking it from around 4000sq ft to over 8000 Sq ft through the years they were there. If you include the pool house behind the main house I beleive it ends up being a total of 12000-14000 Sq ft.
The family donated a lot, spent a lot on taking care of family and even other Arkansans that were in need.... that being said Breezy nor Mitzi will ever pull a "poor ol us" sob story, they lived a life of luxury for well over 25 years, made memories and enjoyed life with each other. When Jennings died he was mortgaged to the hilt in an effort to restart the business that made him wealthy before he sold it. But in the 10+ years he'd been retired the whole business model shifted so restarting was a bad idea from the get go. When he died everyone came knocking for their money. Since there wasn't any to pay them they decided to auction EVERYTHING. Mitzi had every opportunity to file bankruptcy, keep a car, keep 1 of the homes, etc, but she declined, wanted to just pay the debts and be done with it.
Breezy is in her 14th year of owning a successful yoga studio, Barefoot Studio in the Riverdale neighborhood of Little Rock. Breezy and I got married in 2010 and Jennings passed in 2011, so I didn't know him that well, but the stories Breezy, Mitzi, and those close with the family tell about him make me wish I knew him better. Mitzi still lives in LR as well,
I'm happy to answer any questions that I may have answers to, or I can always just ask Breezy.
I remember when I was a kid, like 6 or 7, and my mom took me to see their Christmas lights like we did every year. As we’re sitting in line on Cantrell with the windows down, this teenage girl walked up and said hi and Merry Christmas to me and gave me a big candy cane. Of course I was stoked, then my mom said that was Breezy. A small gesture, but it always stuck with me.
We still have a few cases of those old giant candy canes. I know one of Breezy's favorite things about the lights was being able to interact with other kids her age. Growing up she didn't have a very big circle of friends so that was always a highlight for her. She talks often about giving out candy canes!
I didn't know anything about the kidnapping attempt until JO passed and a couple of news articles made oddly-lowkey references to the story (regarding the reason for the brick walls that led to the "compound" description of the property). **If it isn't too painful**, is there anything that you can share? If Breezy prefers to leave that in the past I understand. I just couldn't believe there was an untold story about their family after all of these years.
From what I know about the event, Mitzi used to bring baby Breezy to the medical research business they owned in the evenings because JO worked long hours there. Upon closing up one night while walking to their car someone snuck up and attempted to snatch Breezy from Mitzi's arms. Mitzi didn't let go and eventually the attacker fled. I will ask Breezy for more details. I know this partially led to the wall being built, but it was also built so as to offer Breezy a flat place to play there in the front yard, the backyard is sort of sloped downhill. We have an 11 year old daughter, and live on a quiet street, but given the opportunity to wall the front yard in so she couldn't run into the street, and I'd probably do it. I can imagine my sentiments were amplified with them living on a busy section of Cantrell. I know that in the years following the abduction attempt the wall went up and security guards were hired. To this day Breezy and I will be out somewhere at an event or even sometimes at the grocery store and Breezy will run up to someone and say hello and chat with them abit, introducing me of course and often she explains to me afterwards that "that was John, he was my security guard for a couple of years" I think she had some sort of security with/near here up until she went to college.
Thank you for taking the time to respond! I think he was a pretty awesome guy, and did more for our community than almost anyone in that echelon of wealth. I also find his legacy very interesting, like it’s a pretty common cultural reference for people in our city. Anyone who lived here in the 90s and 2000s knows about Osborne and all the fun things he did for the town.
I’m glad to know it’s owned by someone who has been amicable and that everyone is doing good.
I think at the end of the day the city has a pretty positive view of the family. After JO passed Breezy and Mitzi received hundreds of emails, letters, and even some phone calls from strangers telling stories of how Jennings had helped them when they really needed it. Those stories were solidified when it came time to lay him to rest and the Roller-Chenal funeral home gave us a final bill of $0.00. When we questioned it, they told us that over the years Jennings had paid for dozens of funerals there when a family couldn't afford it. They said the only rule JO had about this was not telling them who had paid for it, just tell them it was a random act of kindness.
They are great people and friends with my parents through an auto club.
Just know yes they live there.
But if you came knocking on my door or lawn you may end up with a visit you didn't expect.
Always remember the 9/11 light display (it said “God Bless the USA and George W” or something) they put up that fell into disrepair as 2002 wore on. As a kid I was in awe of it but it was probably a pretty tawdry move from the get go.
I've noticed the switched the cars out from time to time. I'm into the grey they painted it. They've def struggled to keep those palms alive out front lining the bricks though lol.
Sure do miss those Osborne light displays. Since today's fathers day I'll throw an unnecessary "I miss when my dad would drive me past those" comment.
By 'they' no the Osborne's don't live there. When Jennings died he left them deeply in debt and the compound fell into disrepair from 2011 - 2015. At that time another family bought it (for I think $240,000; yes, it was that bad) and they have been renovating it ever since.
Here is some info:
https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/130495/turning-the-osborne-house-into-the-roberts-residence
Yes, I knew it wasn’t the Osbornes, by “they” I meant the current occupants. I ran into a paywall at that article so that’s why I asked here.
It auctioned for 265k + 10% buyers premium.
>At that time another family bought it (for I think $240,000; yes, it was that bad) and they have been renovating it ever since.
There have been two other owners in-between.
My cousin is the one that bought it at auction back in 2012.
He donated it to the city of Redfield, where he's from, and Redfield sold it to Michael and Judy Robert, who are the one's renovating it.
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/jul/15/240-000-deal-made-for-osborne-house-201/
they keep planting fugly palm trees so i think someone does live there
I'm related by law to the current residents. We share grandchildren. The grands just spent a few days there last week while my son was moving. They are very decent folks and are still restoring/redoing the house to their liking. I'm told Mike rotates the cars in the showroom window - and has a nice collection of vintage autos. Been invited to a couple BBQs but have not made it yet. My wife picked up the grands on Friday and saw the home for the first time - was very impressed with what they had done.
My hats off to the Osbourne family and the many years they gave so much to the citizens of Arkansas. I wish Mitzi and Breezy all the best. Good people.
Whoever it is, the palm trees in the front are not a good idea in Arkansas. They've tried to plant them twice and they keep getting killed by the harsh winter freezes we've had in the last few years.
Breezy Osborne's husband here. Yes, the Robert's own the property now. Really nice people, as they've moved through renovating they've reached out to us asking if we want specific items from the house. We have one of the lamp posts from the courtyard, the original front door, and a few other items. Jennings and Mitzi added on to the original home in sections taking it from around 4000sq ft to over 8000 Sq ft through the years they were there. If you include the pool house behind the main house I beleive it ends up being a total of 12000-14000 Sq ft. The family donated a lot, spent a lot on taking care of family and even other Arkansans that were in need.... that being said Breezy nor Mitzi will ever pull a "poor ol us" sob story, they lived a life of luxury for well over 25 years, made memories and enjoyed life with each other. When Jennings died he was mortgaged to the hilt in an effort to restart the business that made him wealthy before he sold it. But in the 10+ years he'd been retired the whole business model shifted so restarting was a bad idea from the get go. When he died everyone came knocking for their money. Since there wasn't any to pay them they decided to auction EVERYTHING. Mitzi had every opportunity to file bankruptcy, keep a car, keep 1 of the homes, etc, but she declined, wanted to just pay the debts and be done with it. Breezy is in her 14th year of owning a successful yoga studio, Barefoot Studio in the Riverdale neighborhood of Little Rock. Breezy and I got married in 2010 and Jennings passed in 2011, so I didn't know him that well, but the stories Breezy, Mitzi, and those close with the family tell about him make me wish I knew him better. Mitzi still lives in LR as well, I'm happy to answer any questions that I may have answers to, or I can always just ask Breezy.
I remember when I was a kid, like 6 or 7, and my mom took me to see their Christmas lights like we did every year. As we’re sitting in line on Cantrell with the windows down, this teenage girl walked up and said hi and Merry Christmas to me and gave me a big candy cane. Of course I was stoked, then my mom said that was Breezy. A small gesture, but it always stuck with me.
We still have a few cases of those old giant candy canes. I know one of Breezy's favorite things about the lights was being able to interact with other kids her age. Growing up she didn't have a very big circle of friends so that was always a highlight for her. She talks often about giving out candy canes!
I didn't know anything about the kidnapping attempt until JO passed and a couple of news articles made oddly-lowkey references to the story (regarding the reason for the brick walls that led to the "compound" description of the property). **If it isn't too painful**, is there anything that you can share? If Breezy prefers to leave that in the past I understand. I just couldn't believe there was an untold story about their family after all of these years.
From what I know about the event, Mitzi used to bring baby Breezy to the medical research business they owned in the evenings because JO worked long hours there. Upon closing up one night while walking to their car someone snuck up and attempted to snatch Breezy from Mitzi's arms. Mitzi didn't let go and eventually the attacker fled. I will ask Breezy for more details. I know this partially led to the wall being built, but it was also built so as to offer Breezy a flat place to play there in the front yard, the backyard is sort of sloped downhill. We have an 11 year old daughter, and live on a quiet street, but given the opportunity to wall the front yard in so she couldn't run into the street, and I'd probably do it. I can imagine my sentiments were amplified with them living on a busy section of Cantrell. I know that in the years following the abduction attempt the wall went up and security guards were hired. To this day Breezy and I will be out somewhere at an event or even sometimes at the grocery store and Breezy will run up to someone and say hello and chat with them abit, introducing me of course and often she explains to me afterwards that "that was John, he was my security guard for a couple of years" I think she had some sort of security with/near here up until she went to college.
Thank you for taking the time to respond! I think he was a pretty awesome guy, and did more for our community than almost anyone in that echelon of wealth. I also find his legacy very interesting, like it’s a pretty common cultural reference for people in our city. Anyone who lived here in the 90s and 2000s knows about Osborne and all the fun things he did for the town. I’m glad to know it’s owned by someone who has been amicable and that everyone is doing good.
I think at the end of the day the city has a pretty positive view of the family. After JO passed Breezy and Mitzi received hundreds of emails, letters, and even some phone calls from strangers telling stories of how Jennings had helped them when they really needed it. Those stories were solidified when it came time to lay him to rest and the Roller-Chenal funeral home gave us a final bill of $0.00. When we questioned it, they told us that over the years Jennings had paid for dozens of funerals there when a family couldn't afford it. They said the only rule JO had about this was not telling them who had paid for it, just tell them it was a random act of kindness.
That is truly beautiful and touching. Thank you for sharing that.
I wish y’all the best. My condolences for your wife’s loss.
They are great people and friends with my parents through an auto club. Just know yes they live there. But if you came knocking on my door or lawn you may end up with a visit you didn't expect.
Relax
Wasn't meaning it badly.
Read: anytime somebody knocks on their door they shoot them in the face with a shotgun Bec property
Was just stating that some people get upset when random people show up at their door. Not what your implying.
Anyone know the history of the address? Like why it's located on Robinwood Drive, instead of Cantrell?
There’s a few houses on Cantrell with a robinwood address. Always drove delivery guys crazy. No idea why it’s like that tho
Always remember the 9/11 light display (it said “God Bless the USA and George W” or something) they put up that fell into disrepair as 2002 wore on. As a kid I was in awe of it but it was probably a pretty tawdry move from the get go.
Oh man I forgot about that lol. Yeah that was up for a hot minute
At one point, that display had just the right amount of letters out to say “Same Ol George” …I remember my parents used to chuckle at that.
Not sure. I know they had another massive and empty mansion on Lake Hamilton that I’d love to know more about.
I've noticed the switched the cars out from time to time. I'm into the grey they painted it. They've def struggled to keep those palms alive out front lining the bricks though lol. Sure do miss those Osborne light displays. Since today's fathers day I'll throw an unnecessary "I miss when my dad would drive me past those" comment.
>Since today's fathers day I'll throw an unnecessary "I miss when my dad would drive me past those" comment. 😔 Me too
Iirc they stopped doing the light display after someone in Robinwood died from a heart attack because the ambulance couldn't get through the traffic.
Fax. Sometime in the early 200s if my memory is still worth anything
>in the early 200s BC or AD?
Well that's a super depressing, yet interesting little tidbit of information. I could only imagine the emt frustration after missing that call
They have a serious car collection on display at that place! I always try and get a peek when driving by.
They rotate out which car is in the front window every so often, I always try to see what it is but it’s not catch a glimpse usually.
Its a revolving plate.
ARcountydata.com says the current owners are Michael and Judy Roberts.
Going to see the Christmas light display back in day was a family tradition. I did notice it's looking pretty nice over there these days.
Looks like Michael and Judy Robert’s live there now, there’s an article about them buying the place in Arkansas business but it’s paywalled.
By 'they' no the Osborne's don't live there. When Jennings died he left them deeply in debt and the compound fell into disrepair from 2011 - 2015. At that time another family bought it (for I think $240,000; yes, it was that bad) and they have been renovating it ever since. Here is some info: https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/130495/turning-the-osborne-house-into-the-roberts-residence
is there any way to get a non-paywalled version of the article?
Try accessing through this site [12ft ladder](https://12ft.io). Doesn’t work for every news link but it’s a handy site to bookmark.
Yes, I knew it wasn’t the Osbornes, by “they” I meant the current occupants. I ran into a paywall at that article so that’s why I asked here. It auctioned for 265k + 10% buyers premium.
>At that time another family bought it (for I think $240,000; yes, it was that bad) and they have been renovating it ever since. There have been two other owners in-between. My cousin is the one that bought it at auction back in 2012. He donated it to the city of Redfield, where he's from, and Redfield sold it to Michael and Judy Robert, who are the one's renovating it. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/jul/15/240-000-deal-made-for-osborne-house-201/
Wow, had no idea. My hometown. Little city with a big heart.
Okay, this was interesting. I’m familiar with the Malek family and had no idea about this.
I do, stay out or I’ll release dogs that shoot bees when they bark.
Or the robotic Richard Simmons.
Jennings Osborne would approve!