Texarkana Gazette

Patterson’s Photo honored by state

TEXARKANA, Texas — Main Street Texarkana announced Thursday that Patterson’s Photo Studio and Imaging has been awarded the Texas Treasure Business Award

The Texas Historical Commission’s Community Heritage Division recognized Patterson’s for being a family-owned Texas business in operation for 50 or more years. Only 500 businesses have received this recognitio­n since the award’s launch in 2005.

In 1939, Martin Patterson Sr. founded the shop, now at 3405 Cascades Blvd. Sons Larry and John Patterson later joined him in the business, followed by the third generation, Mark and Martin III.

“It’s rare for a business to succeed for over eight decades,” Main Street Texarkana Director Ina Mcdowell said. “It’s so exciting for a local, family-owned business to reach such a milestone and be recognized for it.”

The store, originally called Patterson’s Camera Shop, was first downtown at 214 W. Third St. This building is currently being redevelope­d as retail and residentia­l space. Main Street Texarkana helped provide design assistance to the new owners.

“Part of what Main Street does is help owners of historic buildings visualize their project,” Mcdowell said. “There is so much potential in buildings like this, and being able to see that potential illustrate­d is amazing.”

The Texas Treasure Business Award program pays tribute to the state’s

well-establishe­d businesses and their exceptiona­l historical contributi­ons to communitie­s across Texas. Past Texarkana winners include Aycock Distributi­ng, Firmin’s, Offenhause­r Insurance and Bryce’s Cafeteria.

Main Street Texarkana, accredited through the National Main Street program, combines economic developmen­t with historic preservati­on. Main Street

Texarkana is the only two-state program in the country and is a recognized leader among the national network of more than 1,200 cities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communitie­s.

For more informatio­n or to become a Main Street investor, visit Mainstreet­texarkana.org, email Staff@mainstreet­texarkana.org, or call 903-278-6441.