L5P Self Guided Tour
Legacy of Little 5 Points Self Guided Walking Tour
Little 5 Points (L5P), built in 1908, was the first commercial district outside of downtown Atlanta. L5P grew into an avant garde arts and shopping district, serving the in-town neighborhoods of Inman Park and Candler Park. By the 1930's, there were many successful businesses in L5P, including three movie theaters (The Palace, The Euclid and the Little Five Points), three grocery stores (Kroger, Colonial and A&P), four drug stores, and three barbershops.
By the 1960's, L5P was struggling economically. In 1975, the City of Atlanta awarded community grants to L5P, which were used for public improvements. These grants and the entrepreneurial spirit of community-based businesses helped spur the revitalization of L5P. On our tour, we will explore the architecture and the legacy businesses that opened in L5P as far back as the 1950’s that are still in existence today.
1) The Little 5 Points Center for Arts and Community (L5PCAC) 1083 Austin Ave NE, at the corner of Euclid Ave, Visitors welcomed: The L5PCAC building opened in 1919 as the Moreland Elementary School, a public school that served the Inman and Candler Park communities. In 1982 the L5PCAC, Inc., leased the building from the Atlanta School Board. Their mission was (and still is) to support arts, cultural, and community service organizations in the L5P area.
WRFG: No visitors since they are on the air! L5PCAC is home to WRFG 89.3FM (Radio Free Georgia), the city’s first alternative radio station. In 1973 they were created to provide a voice for those discriminated against based on class, race, sex, age, creed or sexual orientation. WRFG was the first radio station in Atlanta since the 1950's to broadcast blues, bluegrass and jazz.
2) 7 Stages and Variety Playhouse 1105 and 1099 Euclid Ave NE, No visitors during shows: In 1981 two long-standing theatres were scheduled for demolition until the L5P Partnership reached out to Mayor Jackson who helped persuade the owner to stop demolition and lease the buildings to the Partnership. Today, both 7 Stages and Variety Playhouse are respected institutions that have contributed significantly to Atlanta’s arts community.
3) L5 Corner Tavern 1174 Euclid Ave NE, Visitors welcomed: In the 1960’s it was the Redwood Lounge, a rowdy bar that had a reputation as the first stop for newly released inmates of the Atlanta Penitentiary. In the 1970’s surrounding neighbors bought the Redwood and turned it into the L5P Community Pub, which became a landmark that symbolized the resurgence of the district. Today, the L5 Corner Tavern carries on the tradition of the Pub by catering to neighborhood residents.
4) Wax N’ Facts 432 Moreland Ave NE, Visitors welcomed: Established in 1976, Wax N’ Facts has an extensive collection of all types of music in vinyl, CD’s, and cassette tapes. WnF was started and is still run by Harry DeMille and, Georgia Music Hall of Fame member, Danny Beard. Beard established DB records soon after WnF opened. Although today this record label is no longer signing and recording artists, DB records was headquartered inside Wax N’ Facts.
5) The Junkman’s Daughter 464 Moreland Ave NE, Visitors welcomed: In 1982 Pam Majors, who really was the daughter of a junkman, filled a store in L5P with tchotchkes from her parents’ 40 year accumulation of stuff. Her eye for bizarre and beautiful drew all kinds of diverse people. Run by her son today, it has been voted one of the 25 best independent stores in America and Junkman’s is now celebrating their 35th anniversary.
6) Sevananda Natural Foods Market 467 Moreland Ave NE, Visitors welcomed: In 1975, Sevananda, a community owned natural food store, opened to provide bulk herbs, spices, local and organic produce, vitamins and supplements, and other natural foods. Today, Sevananda is the Southeast’s largest consumer-owned cooperative.
7) BOND Community Federal Credit Union 433 Moreland Ave NE, No visitors: The Bass Organization for Neighborhood Development, or BOND which consisted of residents surrounding L5P, created a credit union after the C&S Bank branch on Moreland Avenue would not issue loans. In 1972 The BOND Community Federal Credit Union opened as the first community-based credit union in Georgia. The credit union provided the financing needed for many of the businesses and homeowners in the area. Today, B.O.N.D. is a thriving financial institution.
8) Zesto 377 Moreland Ave NE, Visitors welcomed: 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the Zesto franchise. Zesto in L5P opened in 1955.
9 The Wrecking Bar Brewpub 292 Moreland Ave NE, Visitors welcomed downstairs only. Do not disturb events upstairs: The building housing the Wrecking Bar was built in the late 1800’s for businessman Victor Hugo Kriegshaber. Architect Willis Denny combined late Victorian with eclectic details. The building was once a home, a church, a dance studio, and an architectural salvage store.
This tour is part of Phoenix Flies of the Atlanta Preservation Center month long event celebrating historic preservation.