Texarkana's Potato Patch, a restaurant specializing in stuffed baked potatoes, is under new ownership, and changes are coming to enhance the dining experience of Texarkana's baked potato fans.
Owner William Zhang is an experienced small-business manager and restaurateur.
"I took over ownership August 2015. I've been working in restaurants since 2007, and I later found out that the previous owners of the Potato Patch were looking to sell. I love the food there and didn't want to see it go away. So after running my other restaurant, Eden Bubble Tea, I felt I could take it over," he said.
Stacy Smith, the restaurant's manager for the last 12 years, was concerned when she found out new ownership was coming.
"I was nervous, but I was assured by the previous owner that the people taking over wanted me to stay," she said.
Smith's long-term experience in the day-to-day management of Potato Patch makes her an asset. She also genuinely loves working there.
"I have lived in this city my whole life. My family lives here. I've stayed here this long because I love this place," she said.
Smith gestured to the menu, which has 18 stuffed potato options whose ingredients can be mixed and matched. In addition, other meal options are available, including sandwiches and salads.
"I'm doing what I love here. This is why I stay," Smith said. "Further, being here this long, I've gotten to know many of the regular customers. They also have gotten to know me."
Zhang has plans to make the place even better.
"We want to increase the capacity of the drive-through," he said. "We want to be able to get customers through faster and serve more of them at a time."
They also plan to repaint, decorate and bring the bathroom, which has only outside access, inside the building.
"In a year, it will be a whole new Potato Patch," he said.
Zhang described the Texarkana business environment as "really nice."
"Traffic is easy to get around in as compared to a bigger city. Everything I need to get to is close. Plus, the people are friendly," he said.
On running a successful business, he said, "Run your business the way it should be. No shortcuts."
Potato Patch is at 3185 N. State Line Ave. Their hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Call them at 903-793-5811.