The round sign above the Flying Crow, the distinct downtown restaurant-in-a-train-car, advertises the place to downtown visitors and denizens. Increasingly known for its eclectic sandwiches, tasty soups, variety of deviled eggs and great salad options, the Flying Crow is emerging from the background scenery, as a train car in a railyard area.
"Checkmark Design, another downtown business, designed the sign," said Ina McDowell, Main Street Texarkana executive director. "We were able to get funds for this project to put up a more prominent sign from Main Street Arkansas."
The state level main street organization has funds and grants for such properties, but it will not give them out to just anyone.
"The design has to be approved of by Main Street Arkansas," McDowell said. "They want to be sure it fits the general look and atmosphere of the existing downtown area."
The new sign not only identifies the Flying Crow, but generally indicates the entrance, which apparently was unclear before.
"It got put up about three weeks ago," she said.
The Flying Crow was closed for the week of the ice storm. The opening was further delayed, limited to take-out service until Thursday, where they opened the dining room.
"We had to repair a couple of broken pipes and fill the pantry back up and remake our dishes," said Toni Kato, front-of-house manager. "Lots of re-prep went into that. But now, we are 100% and looking forward to serving you."