Main Street Texarkana presented a $30,000 business loan on Wednesday to Johnny B's Grill for its new downtown location at 224 E. Fifth St. in Texarkana, Ark.
"We are looking forward to this popular restaurant moving into the area where it will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner," said Ina McDowell, Main Street Texarkana, executive director.
Expected to open late summer, this will be a second location for owners Sheila and Wendell Crossland. The first being in downtown El Dorado, Ark.
The Texarkana diner is the former Glass Pharmacy building. The restaurant will fill the need for breakfast and other meals in the high-traffic area, McDowell said.
The new Johnny B's is using the original design of the historic building to create a 1950s-style experience. Interior design includes a Coke red and white theme, serving drinks and food reminiscent of the time.
The Main Street Texarkana downtown business loan is among incentives built to drive new business and development of the historic downtown area.
Grants are also available for downtown property and business owners in Arkansas. MST recently received a new matching grant of $15,000 from the state of Arkansas that will be available soon. Applications for the business loan and state grant are available through the MST website at mainstreettexarkana.org.