Historic commission approves storefront renovations at 204 Broad for Kilwin's

The Texarkana Arkansas Historic District Commission on Feb. 22 approved a certificate of appropriateness allowing renovations at 204 Broad, clearing the way for a Kilwin’s ice-cream and candy shop to occupy the storefront.

The commission’s approval covers removal and reconstruction of the storefront to reveal original terracotta, installation of period-appropriate doors and window glass, replacement of entry and ceiling tiles with materials that reference the original, and installation of individual, marquee-style illuminated letters for signage. A presenter for the owner said the property is on the National Register and that a standard historic plaque has already been installed.

Commissioners pressed for tile and door samples before work proceeds on the interior entryway and noted the applicant has already removed the existing storefront. “He’s putting in a Kilwin’s,” the presenter said while describing the proposed shop and the plan to retain an original interior tile at the entry and to use matching-but-not-identical floor tiles on the outside approach.

The commission’s discussion emphasized keeping visible elements consistent with the building’s historic period. One commissioner said the planned storefront windows, which will let customers watch confections being made, could be an attraction that benefits downtown foot traffic.

A motion to approve the project “as requested, to match the presented rendition” was made, seconded and approved on a roll call that recorded four affirmative votes from present commissioners. The approval covers the tile, ceiling tile, door, windows, signage and the historic plaque already placed on the property.

Next steps: the owner and contractor should provide ground-tile samples and final door/window specifications as requested by the commission; work already completed on the storefront was accepted subject to those clarifications.