Early morning traffic heading into Longview from White Oak, Gladewater and points west along West Marshall Avenue soon will have a new option for that morning cup of coffee.
Entrepreneur Dante Hahn said Coffee Cafe would open in the next week or so at 3112 W. Marshall Ave. The free-standing site, once home to King BBQ, will offer a more extensive menu than his Cuppy's kiosk location in Longview Mall.
Sandwiches, pastries and a variety of coffee and other beverages will be served, Hahn said. Wireless Internet service also will be available for inside and outside seating.
The Coffee Cafe will feature drive-through service for customers on the run. Hahn said plans are to be open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
Frank Chaney and Kim Stewart with Coldwell Banker Commercial Lenhart handled the lease transaction.
Hahn also has been involved in the renovation and restoration of downtown Longview properties, including the conversion of some second floor space into loft apartments.
New bank open
Dan Herrington, city president for Texas National Bank, said that institution opened its temporary branch office at 612 E. Hawkins Parkway last week.
The full-service temporary quarters will serve customers while construction continues on more permanent facilities going up on the property. Herrington said his staff hopes to be operating out of the new structure by March.
Texas National Bank will continue to house its loan production offices at 414 E. Loop 281, Suite 13, until the new building is completed.
Downtown dining
The Pickled Frog Grub and Pub and owners Paul Hancock and Jud Byrnes plan to focus on the "grub" end of their proposed downtown venue while awaiting approval from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to obtain a license to operate a bar.
The Pickled Frog restaurant is planned for 112 E. Tyler St., in the former longtime home of Texas Furniture. Hancock said he expects contractors doing renovation work on the interior to seek city permits in the next week or so with an opening for the restaurant tentatively set for a couple of months away.
The owners plan to gut the interior of the former furniture store with the portion fronting Tyler Street serving as the eatery. Offered would belunch, dinner and perhaps a late-night breakfast buffet.
Travel venue
A new East Texas travelers' stop for food and fuel is set to open this week at Interstate 20 and Texas 42 between Kilgore and White Oak.
The Gateway Truck Plaza includes a Shell-branded fuel retailer, convenience store, Wendy's restaurant and BankTexas location. Brian Hatchett and Jerry Ted Roberts, of Roberts and Hatchett Properties in Kilgore, are developers of the site.
The gasoline and fast food portions of the enterprise are scheduled to open Wednesday. Wendy's is slated to be open 24 hours a day. The entire complex features a Western theme.
Wendy's has a stone fireplace and rustic wood tables with plenty of space for inside dining.
BankTexas, based in Quitman, will operate out of leased space in the 14,000-square-foot complex. Troy Robinson, president of BankTexas, said the location will offer all the services of a traditional bank in a format he calls a "bank store."
Tammy Ritter has been named manager of the BankTexas location in Kilgore. BankTexas is the former First National Bank of Quitman and has locations in Holly Lake Ranch, Mineola and Tyler plus the Quitman headquarters.
Mike Elswick is the business editor of the Longview News-Journal. He can be reached at (903) 237-7737 or melswick@longview-news.com
