TEXARKANA, Arkansas - El Frio Express has opened, one of several places being developed downtown by Jeff and Irma Wright.
"This is a family business, we've got several family members who are involved in this at all stages," Jeff Wright said.
"This is not our first business, we've previously been operating several rental properties," Irma Wright added.
The Wrights also own The Coliseum and the Salvation Army buildings downtown and those are both in various stages of being developed. Indeed, those properties were being worked on before they lit upon El Frio Express. But the other projects are bigger and have been delayed by various circumstances.
Before it became El Frio Express, it was a drive-through Regions Bank location. That changed last year.
"When it became available, we saw an opportunity to get something going much sooner than the other projects, Jeff Wright said. "Just a paint job and some internal changes, such as in the plumbing and we were ready to go."
El Frio Express has been open about a month. They offer frozen drinks and cocktails, such as margaritas, daiquiris, Blue Hawaiian, Crown and Coke, even a frozen version of a bloody mary called michelada.
"With the downtown entertainment districts now present and continuing downtown development, this is a great place to establish a business," Jeff said. "We hope to have our other attractions running by year's end."
(El Frio Express is located at 204 E. 4th St.)