In 2014 TXK Today reported that Panera Bread would soon be coming to Texarkana. That has not happened yet, but a recent planning and zoning meeting shows that there is still hope of Panera arriving in Texarkana.
According to minutes from the October 7, 2019 meeting of the Texarkana, Texas Planning and Zoning Commission, Harmony Food Services says they still have plans to build a Panera Bread in Texarkana.
Harmony foods submitted a letter in opposition of a new digital billboard at 2703 Richmond Road. Harmony owns the property directly to the west of the proposed billboard site and have stated that they have possible future plans to build a Panera Café at this location.
Chad Shipp explained that this request is to allow an 8’ x 24’ (192 sq. ft.) two-sided digital billboard at 2703 Richmond Road. He stated that the billboards along the interstate are 672 square feet in size. This is a much smaller sign.
Ms. Susan Cogell, owner of the business at 2801 Richmond Road north of this property, presented a petition in opposition to the proposed billboard. She stated that she feels that a billboard would be very distracting for drivers in this very congested area of Richmond Road and create more wrecks in this area.
Three members voted for approval, two against, and one abstained from voting. There being a majority vote, the request was approved.
No further details were provided about when construction can be expected to start for Panera Bread.