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Courthouse Square Initiative: Completed

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:14:37 GMT

Courthouse Square Initiative: Completed

The courthouse square initiative is a project aimed at making improvements to the area around Texarkana's Federal Courthouse Main Street Texarkana, in a joint effort with the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce and both Texarkana Arkansas and Texarkana Texas, is working to see this vision become a reality.

You can see the renderings of the area from Fennell Purifoy Architects. Though there is a lot left to accomplish before this vision can become a reality, this is an important first step in establishing what the goals for the area will be.

More Green Space
Enhanced Safety
Better Walkability
Better Interactivity

In addition to the improvements around the courthouse, we also see it as an important step in the development of improvements to the State Line corridor that connects Downtown to the I30 area and allows Downtown access by travelers through our town.

Hotel Grim Redevelopment - Completed

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:05:07 GMT

The Hotel Grim Redevelopment Into Lofts

The project included restoration and redevelopment of the historic Hotel Grim built in 1925 originally as an eight-story hotel. The building contains 103,200 square feet and when built, was the second tallest structure in Texarkana. The iconic building is strategically located on State Line Avenue on the Texas and Arkansas border. The proposed project will preserve the historic elements of the building while completely updating the property.

Five Questions with Desire's Sensual Soaps

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 15:07:29 GMT

Five Questions with a Downtowner - Desiree Soco

Owner of Desire's Sensual Soaps

1. What drew you downtown as a place to open your business?

The things that I want to do creatively just fit better downtown, and I really want to be a part of the revitalization and regrowth of this part of the city.

2. Do you have a favorite downtown moment or memory?

I'd have to say my ribbon cutting was my favorite moment here so far. The support from the community has been great, they've been very welcoming.

3. Tell us something interesting people may not know about your building.

Well, I'm not originally from Texarkana so I didn't know much about it, but the owner told me that this used to be the Avenue Hotel. She showed me around upstairs and I actually got a cast iron sink from one of the rooms and repurposed it into a washstand display for our soaps. My next goal is to get a tub down here, I'll just need some man power for that!

4. What do you want people to know about your business?

We're here, we're open. We're a family business. Most of the products we carry are made by my kids, for kids. A lot of kids on the autism spectrum have sensory issues and bath time was a battle with my son. The soaps and products we carry help to make bath time easier and more fun. Making these products has helped both my son and my daughter working with their hands and feeling productive. And we have products for adults, too! Our Jar of Dirt (a charcoal scrub) is a popular item.

5. What would you like to see downtown in the future?

More activities and things for kids to do. If you create activities for children, their parents will bring them. And these kids are the ones who are going to rebuild this city.

Thank you, Ms. Soco! Desire's Sensual Soaps is located at 406 N. State Line Ave, open Mon - Fri 10am - 6:00pm. Follow Desire's Sensual Soaps on Facebook to keep up with them, or visit their shop to support this amazing new small business in #DowntownTexarkana.

Five Questions with Jon Sheppard

Sat, 06 Apr 2019 15:11:10 GMT

Five Questions with a Downtowner - Jon Sheppard

1. What drew you downtown as a place to open your business?

I guess I’m an old soul. Downtown Texarkana has always intrigued me. I can remember going to the original Bryce’s a time or two. I believe downtown is making a comeback, one business or property at a time. I’m glad we are here.

2. Do you have a favorite downtown moment or memory?

My favorite moment since opening the office down here was when our signage went up on the outside of the building. The Downtown Neighborhood Association (Texarkana DNA) posted a picture of it on Facebook to welcome us to the neighborhood. We hadn't even moved in yet, but that's when it felt real.

3. Tell us something interesting people may not know about your building.

This used to be the Gus Kennedy Shoe Store, the name still stands in the tile out front. We also really enjoy that the interior has exposed original brick and the original 20 foot ceilings.

4. What do you want people to know about your business?

We're a full service agency that can handle all lines of business. Lee and I both value personal service and because of that we are very dedicated to our clients.

5. What would you like to see downtown in the future?

More owner-occupied buildings. When local people invest in these properties, especially for use as their own business, they take more pride in beautifying and maintaining the property.

Thank you, Mr. Sheppard! Southern Insurance Group is located at 123 E. Broad Street, open Mon - Fri 9am - 5:00pm. Follow Southern Insurance Group on Facebook to keep up with them, or visit their website at www.sigtxk.com to learn more or request a quote.

Five Questions with Emily Graham

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 15:16:31 GMT

Five Questions with a Downtowner - Emily Graham

1. What drew you downtown as a place to open your business?

I was born and raised in a small town, where everyone knows everybody. I tend to think of downtown like a small village. Big city heart, but the people and atmosphere make it quaint and cozy compared to the hustle and bustle of uptown.

2. Do you have a favorite downtown moment or memory?

Some of my very first memories are of downtown. My grandmother worked at Commercial National Bank downtown for over 30 years and I got to spend many days there with her. I can remember riding up and down in the elevator for fun as a kid, and looking out the top floor windows into downtown, which was beautiful to me.

3. Tell us something interesting people may not know about your building.

I really love the chandeliers that are upstairs in this building. I think Amanda Horton [the previous tenant who owns the building] made them. I know she did a lot of work in this space and I just really appreciate those little details.

4. What do you want people to know about your business?

We have many options to curb your sweet tooth; whether you are dieting or have to watch your sugar intake, to craving those double doozie buttercream filled cookie sammiches, we have you covered! We also offer cookie decorating classes every week and we book birthday parties right here in our upstairs space. It's a fun experience for all ages that's sure to make sweet memories ;).

5. What would you like to see downtown in the future?

I would LOVE to see downtown continue to grow. I had this crazy dream last night that a bagel shop opened right around the corner and filled the air with the amazing aroma of delicious bagels, that would be a great addition down here!

Thank you, Mrs. Graham! After her daughter was born, Emily decided to be a stay at home mom and found baking to be relaxing and challenging. In 2015 she started Graham Slam and her cookies were featured on Good Morning America in 2017. Emily recently moved in to her own space at 114 Pine Street, open Mon - Fri 9am - 5:30pm, Saturday 10am -3pm. Follow Graham Slam Bakery on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with them and see their tasty creations.

mainsttxk

​Courthouse Square Initiative: Completed

​Courthouse Square Initiative: Completed

Hotel Grim Redevelopment - Completed

The Hotel Grim Redevelopment Into Lofts

Five Questions with Desire's Sensual Soaps

Five Questions with a Downtowner - Desiree Soco

Owner of Desire's Sensual Soaps

1. What drew you downtown as a place to open your business?

2. Do you have a favorite downtown moment or memory?

3. Tell us something interesting people may not know about your building.

4. What do you want people to know about your business?

5. What would you like to see downtown in the future?

Five Questions with Jon Sheppard

Five Questions with a Downtowner - Jon Sheppard

1. What drew you downtown as a place to open your business?

2. Do you have a favorite downtown moment or memory?

3. Tell us something interesting people may not know about your building.

4. What do you want people to know about your business?

5. What would you like to see downtown in the future?

Five Questions with Emily Graham

Five Questions with a Downtowner - Emily Graham

1. What drew you downtown as a place to open your business?

2. Do you have a favorite downtown moment or memory?

3. Tell us something interesting people may not know about your building.

4. What do you want people to know about your business?

5. What would you like to see downtown in the future?

Courthouse Square Initiative: Completed

Courthouse Square Initiative: Completed