In Five Points, is fancy replacing funky?

[thelakelander]

The Five Points shopping district has had more turning points than the star-shaped intersection that gives the neighborhood its name.

The block of shops along Park Street started as a place where shoppers went in the 1920s for everyday items, much like modern suburbanites hit strip malls. In the 1970s, Five Points started to evolve into a go-to place for younger shoppers, carving out an identity as a hippie hangout. In recent years, investors have poured money into buying buildings and undertaking wholesale renovations for new restaurants. It's made Park Street a red-hot spot for real estate, perhaps more than at any time since the block got built almost a century ago to serve the mansion owners of the burgeoning Riverside neighborhood.

The interest is positive sign for the staying power of Five Points as it heads toward its second century. But with rents rising rapidly, there also is concern that retail gentrification could cause Five Points to lose the distinctive flavor that's been described as bohemian, quirky and funky.

"I do worry about that; and I hope it doesn't happen, because part of the attractiveness of Five Points is it's quirky and different from what you would get anywhere else," said Wayne Wood, who helped found Riverside Avondale Preservation.

Full article: http://www.jacksonville.com/news/20180303/in-five-points-is-fancy-replacing-funky

[Adam White]

More like "successful" is replacing "failing businesses".

There have been a handful of long-term merchants in 5 Points and yeah, some of them are "funky". But over the years, businesses have struggled, for the most part. I remember having multiple record shops - but those didn't fail due to gentrification. Similarly, how many restaurants have come and gone?

I think 5 Points has a long way to go - but it's nice to see crowds again (and I say this based on my most recent trip to Jax - I've no idea what it's like most of the time).

[FlaBoy]

To me, Five Points wasn't funky in 1955, it was just a shopping district that met the needs of residents. In 1985, it may have been funky or bohemian, but that vibe may not continue in 5 Points but we need that vibe in other districts such as Springfield, Murray Hill, Lakeshore or even north Riverside.