SOUTHERN GRACE/SISTERS AT THE CROSSING

BLYTHEVILLE ARKANSAS

 

This late nineteenth/early twentieth century commercial storefront caught my eye while walking the downtown of this northeast Arkansas city.

Blytheville is worth a walk through its historic downtown, if only for the exercise. I say this tongue-in-cheek; Main Street is one of the longest I’ve ever seen, so you’ll get your workout in walking it. It’s also lined with a lot of interesting architecture.

This building has a banner hanging over the sidewalk reading “Southern Grace Tearoom – OPEN” as well as a nicely designed corner sign on the building proclaiming “Sisters at The Crossing.”

THIS is a fine example of how to enhance the exterior of a turn-of-the-century storefront. The wood panels and single-lite doors are either original or copies of what was originally there. The brick, though painted (and the Railroad Street side has been stuccoed), is in good shape, and if you’re going to paint brick, it might as well be in a shade close to that of the brick below.

The color scheme on the woodwork is pleasing and simple, with earthy tones of mustard and teal allowing the sashes and doors to stand out. The windows on the Railroad Street side’s upper story are arched at the top, and the double window in this style is somewhat unusual. I’m not sure if the round windows on the first floor are original, but the brick that surrounds them is left unstuccoed, a nice touch.

Lastly, the reproduction light fixtures (with fluorescent bulbs, as well) above the plate glass add another turn-of-the-century touch. I wonder if anyone has noticed the pronounced kerf-marks left by the huge circular saw blade on the wood upon which the fixture is mounted.

Entire building restorations (and I’m sure someone spent a pretty penny on the interior) are not always necessary.

Well thought-out enhancements can turn an older building’s façade from something boring and mishmashed to a cohesive part of a historic downtown. It never ceases to amaze me what a good paint scheme, proper signage, and attractive light fixtures can do to make a building stand out (and blend in) as well as to make a community proud.