Korean American business leaders push for recognition of Koreatown in northwest Dallas

In northwest Dallas at the corner of Royal Lane and Harry Hines Boulevard two structures that read “Asian Trade District” sit on opposite sides of the intersection. The color of the materials on the signs has faded. One of the letters is missing. Trash is littered around the small patches of wilted grass surrounding the structures. The signs were envisioned as landmarks to welcome people and customers to the area, which decades ago bustled with Asian American-oriented businesses, many owned by people of Korean descent. A 1991 Dallas Morning News article described how this once “languishing” part of the city was lit up with storefront signs. Stores like Sam Moon and restaurants like Korea House became cornerstones to the growth and identity of the area, which to many Korean Americans in North Texas is unofficially called “K-Town” or “Koreatown.”

Now, the Greater Dallas Korean American Chamber of Commerce is pushing for the city to approve street toppers for a stretch of Royal Lane to be labeled Koreatown. The organization hopes the toppers can be an important step in preserving the history of the area. “I feel like we should pay homage to the legacy of Koreans that have built Koreatown,” said John Lee, a board member of the Korean American Chamber. Lee is spearheading efforts to get the city’s approval for the street toppers on Royal Lane, from Luna Road to Harry Hines Boulevard. He has enrolled the support of Dallas City Council member Omar Narvaez, whose district encompasses the less-than-two-mile stretch of road. Narvaez confirmed in a written statement in November that his office is pushing for an official Koreatown designation by the city. He expressed his support for an official Koreatown designation during a town hall meeting days after a May shooting at a hair salon where three women were shot and injured by a gunman. Jeremy Theron Smith, 37, who was arrested in connection to the shooting, is facing hate crime charges.