General store opens in downtown Texarkana
Keathley’s General Store opened Monday, offering downtown shoppers everything from a snack to something to read.
Keith and Jennifer Keathley and their daughters, Mercury and Saffire, welcomed a number of customers to the store despite most other downtown businesses being closed in observance of Labor Day, Keith Keathley said.
Getting the store ready has been an almost yearlong project for the family. Monday’s opening was a milestone for them as they pursue their dream to be an essential part of a revitalized downtown Texarkana.
Downtown redevelopment projects expected in the next couple of years, such as turning the Hotel Grim and the former Coliseum night club into apartment buildings, make this the right time to open the store, Keith Keathley said.
Between those who already live and work downtown and those expected to arrive soon, there will be customers with needs the store can meet, he said.
The store aims to offer a supermarket’s variety on a small scale. On its shelves there are toys, pet food, shampoo and motor oil, as well as microwave meals, candy bars, coffee drinks and more. An author herself, Jennifer Keathley was certain to include a display that features local writers’ books.
Work on the building, which most recently had been a GQ Look store, began almost a year ago. The Keathleys pulled up carpet, painted, repaired lighting and built a counter, among other jobs. Steps also included passing government inspections, installing coolers and freezers, and finally, buying and stocking an inventory.
The store, at 209 E. Broad St., will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Adding business hours on Sundays could be a possibility in the future, Keith Keathley said.
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