TEXARKANA, Ark. (KSLA) – Changes are coming to the Entertainment District in downtown Texarkana, Ark. after Monday night’s (Jan. 5) Board of Director’s meeting.
Now, businesses must close sooner than before. Previously, they could stay open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., but now, they must close at midnight.
Also, people cannot bring alcohol into the district from other outside businesses, and the Rock House Liquor Store is no longer considered part of the Entertainment District.
“We have had for one a lot of outside underage drinking come into the district. We have also had a lot of loitering and prowling in front of the businesses creating large crowds and often large disturbances among the patrons,” said Kristen Schultz with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department (TAPD).
The changes come at the request of the police department. Police say drinking alcohol outdoors within the district is still allowed only if the beverage were bought from an Entertainment District business.
“Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is first going to take an educated role for that first 30 days to help inform the citizens of these changes and help them transition smoothly,” Schultz said.
Police say along with addressing safety concerns, they are hoping the changes will encourage more people to visit the businesses in the Entertainment District.
“We are hoping that these changes will make the downtown district available for everybody to enjoy and be safe for everyone,” Schultz said.
Copyright 2026 KSLA. All rights reserved.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.ksla.com ’
