Many Fear Oak Cliff Progression Will Out Price Locals

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OAK CLIFF (CBSDFW.COM) - Out priced or just the price of progression? Businesses in Oak Cliff are closing their doors as rent begins to rise within the popular Bishop Arts District.

CBS 11 News was there as a staple business prepared to shutter its doors.

In just a few days Lucky Dog Books will shut it doors. Rent at the location has increased drastically, much like other spots near the Bishop Arts District, and some longtime residents say it's just the start.

A busy night in Oak Cliff's Bishop Arts comes at a cost. While there are ample dining and shopping options – good luck finding a parking spot.

Lucky Dog owner Steve Cruz said, "They're trying to turn Davis into Uptown."

After years in business at the Davis Street location – Luck Dog books is packing up.

Cruz, a longtime resident and artist, says the landlord has raised the rent and a new business co-op is moving in.

"So, it's going to be just a bunch of hipsters in here. It's not really community friendly… just kind of excludes a lot of people here in the neighborhood."

Historically a predominately Hispanic community, artists like Cruz moved to Oak Cliff as rents skyrocketed in Deep Ellum and East Dallas.

Now the bookstore and other small businesses are being priced out.

Ashley Washington is the general manager at Pier 247 - a restaurant that recently opened in what used to be a 1940s garage. "I know a lot of people are afraid of that. It's changing the whole neighborhood in a positive way," she claimed. "It's an ebb and a flow and that's evolution. Things grow, things die, [and] things change."

But there is a limit and the last thing Washington wants to see is condos sprouting up.

Cruz says considering what's happened so far - it's inevitable. "I'm not entirely against development or anything like that," he said. "But I would like to see a wiser use of our resources over here."

The owner of Lucky Dog Books says his other locations in the metroplex are still open and right now the search is on for a new spot in Oak Cliff that is affordable.

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