The building's owner is using social media in a personal investigation of graffiti spray painted on 1894 City Market, previously known as the Ritchie Grocery Building.
Monday morning, David Peavy posted a photo of the graffiti on the Facebook page of 1894 Second Saturday Trade Days, the monthly market held in front of the building at Front and Olive streets downtown. It shows "I love you so much" painted in cursive script on one of the building's brick walls, along with a red heart. The graffiti was painted some time between Saturday evening and Monday morning.
"We need your help!! We would appreciate everyone looking at Facebook Snapchat twitter Instagram and help us find who defaced our building. Or if anyone saw who did this $100 reward will be given," the photo's caption says.
By Monday afternoon, the post had reached more than 11,400 people and been shared 137 times, and dozens of internet sleuths were commenting with tips and speculation about clues in the photo, Peavy said.
He has not yet involved the police.
"They would not be as fast as what we're doing," he said.
There may not be any need for the police even if he discovers the culprits, Peavy said.
"I'm probably going to give them a chance to make it right before we go public," he said. Only if they did not cooperate would he involve Texarkana, Ark., Police Department.
Removing the graffiti will probably cost around $250.
"Hopefully, it won't cause any permanent damage," Peavy said.
The building, built as a produce warehouse in 1894, is being renovated to house loft apartments, art galleries and retail space.