TEXARKANA, Ark. - Downtown is getting another pool hall and entertainment venue.
It will be called "The Hideout," and will be located in a building once owned and operated by the Salvation Army on Broad Street, first as a thrift store and later as warehouse space.
Jeff and Christian Wright, a father and son team, have announced they are developing the property. Recently, they have been creating apartment space a block down the street at a former nightclub called The Colosseum. (Long before it was The Colosseum it was a Belk Jones Department Store.)
But they will shift their focus to this recent acquisition to create an entertainment center featuring a wide range of attractions as well as a rooftop bar.
"Entertainment, darts, pool, shuffleboard, this thing is going to be a good time," said Jeff Wright, the father. "I've always wanted a pool hall."
Son Christian says he totally trusts his dad on this venture.
"I'll jump off a cliff with my dad anytime," Christian said.
The roof patio and bar will be called Ima's Hideout, he said, after his mother and his father's wife.
The Wrights see lots of opportunity downtown, with businesses continuing to open, with great new places about to welcome customers," said Christian Wright. "The Crossties gang, Jamie Reynolds' Railyards Saloon, they've been very supportive of what we are doing here. (We have) nothing but love for them."
Jeff Wright says a lot of folks have helped them out in their endeavors.
Christian took a circuitous route to get to this place. He went to college, got his degree, but then decided that academia was not what he wanted to pursue.
He grew up learning his Dad's trade, carpentry, and decided to return to that after school.
"It is much more rewarding working side-by-side with my Dad and with my hands, Christian said. "We fight a lot, but we do great work together."
The two said they are considering a third downtown project.