Haines City's Historic Revival: Rejuvenating Oakland's Black-Owned Business District

Haines City, Florida, is embarking on a significant initiative to rejuvenate the historic Oakland community’s business district, a move that’s stirring excitement among both former business owners and residents alike. This effort, led by the Haines City Community Redevelopment Agency, aims to restore the vibrancy of an area that was once the heart of the African American community in the 1950s but experienced a sharp decline in the mid-1980s. Retired business owner Bennie Prichett, who owned a club and restaurant on what was once Eleventh Street, now Martin Luther King Way, reflects on the area’s golden years and its subsequent downturn.AdvertismentHistoric Significance and DeclineThe Oakland community’s business district was once a bustling hub, featuring a movie theater, an ice cream parlor, and numerous shops and restaurants, serving as a central point for the African American community in Haines City. However, an economic downturn in the mid-1980s led to the closure of many businesses, including Prichett’s own establishment, causing the area to lose its former luster. This downturn marked the end of an era for the district, leaving a void in the community that has been felt for decades.Revitalization Efforts UnderwayAdvertismentIn a bid to revive this historic district, the Haines City...