The Main Street Texarkana Board of Directors is looking at loaning an El Dorado, Ark.-based restaurant $40,000 to help the business owners open a similar eatery in Texarkana, Ark.
During its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, the board's Economic Development Committee recommended that the rest of the board make the $40,000 loan to the owners of Johnny B's Grill, in downtown El Dorado.
The restaurant's owners are considering another Johnny B's in the former Glass Pharmacy building, which has been vacant at East Fifth and Walnut streets for at least seven years.
The restaurant in El Dorado, which opened more than three years ago, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it is looking to do the same in Texarkana.
From the research Main Street Texarkana has conducted so far, the El Dorado grill appears to be popular and drawing good business for all three daily meals, said Main Street Board President Lee Medley said.
The diner's menu lists seven appetizers, including seafood gumbo and alligator bites, which range in price from about $6 to $11. The business also serves omelet, waffle and pancake breakfast platters, along with 15 sides, which range from less than $2 and up to $10.
As for lunch, the grill offers five assorted soups and salads, along with five different types of hamburgers and 10 assorted sandwiches, according to the menu.
For dinner, the business has both seafood and steak platters-with the seafood including boiled crawfish, boiled shrimp, crab legs and catfish. The other entrees include pork chops, roast beef, chicken, rib-eye steak and hamburger steak-all ranging from $9 to $20.
Johnny B's beverages include coffee, tea, assorted soft drinks, milk and juice, but no alcohol.
Main Street Executive Director Ina McDowell said the restaurant's owners are planning on having a 1950s interior look and atmosphere within the building's 5,500 square feet of space. It will seat about 88 people and cater for business meetings and parties.
Following some additional discussion, board members agreed to consider the committee's recommendation for making the $40,000 loan and will likely vote on whether to make the loan later this week.