‘A dream fulfilled’: Koreatown in northwest Dallas gains statewide designation

In April, Charles Park spoke to Texas lawmakers about his excitement for Dallas’ Koreatown getting an official state designation. North Texas has been his home since the late 1970s.

“I moved from Korea when I was 33 years old, now I’m 86, so there is no other place for me,” Park told elected officials at the House committee hearing.

Now, 45 years later, Park’s vision has become a reality.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed a resolution that grants a statewide designation for Dallas Koreatown for 10 years. The resolution, filed by state Rep. Rafael Anchía and its companion, which was filed by state Sen. Tan Parker, passed unanimously in both chambers earlier this month.

“It’s been a long time. It’s a dream fulfilled,” Park said.

The state recognition will allow for signage on the highway and designations for cultural arts,” Anchía has said.

“Dallas has one of the largest Korean communities in America. Their hard work has made Koreatown an important economic engine for our city. This designation officially recognizes that work by the State of Texas and builds upon the positive momentum of this neighborhood,” Anchía said in a written statement Wednesday.

Anchía’s office will work with the Greater Dallas Korean American Chamber of Commerce, Dallas city officials and the Texas Department of Transportation for highway signage.

Park, as happy as he was with news of the resolution, said earning official recognition of the area is just the first step.

City council member Omar Narvaez and representatives from the Korean American community in January held a unveiling ceremony for street signs at the corner of Harry Hines Boulevard and Royal Lane that read in Korean and English. Park said the Korean chamber is creating sign toppers for the area.

John Lee spearheaded efforts to get official designations for the area on behalf of the Korean chamber. He said the state designation is a “step beyond” what he and other members of the chamber had expected.

The state designation was welcomed, but it also represents how Korean Americans in North Texas fight through challenges within their community.

Koreatown started growing in the 1980s in northwest Dallas as Korean wholesale businesses owners moved into the area. The area saw an influx of Korean-owned stores and restaurants in the 1990s and 2000s. Some, however, have said the growth of Dallas Koreatown has slowed down in recent years with the development of Korean American enclaves in Carrollton and other North Texas cities.

In May last year, many in Koreatown were shocked when a man walked into a hair salon and opened fire, injuring three women who are of Korean descent. Dallas police have said the shooting was hate-motivated, pointing to delusions that the gunman reportedly had about Asian Americans. Last month, the community was left in shock after a fatal shooting at a Koreatown bar. More recently, the community mourned the deaths of three Korean Americans who were killed in the Allen Premium Outlets shooting.

“We’re very resilient people, not only as individuals but as a community,” Lee said. “So we’ll always rebuild our community, but it’s unfortunate that these things happen.”

Rich Kim, owner of ShinChon Market and Food Court — the oldest surviving Korean grocery store in Koreatown — said he is hopeful of the new statewide designation and the increased recognition the area has gotten in recent months.

The grocery store has made changes to its operation over the years in order to stay in business. In January, multiple booths at the grocery store’s food court were vacant. Today, the empty spaces have been filled by vendors who specialize in different cultural cuisines, including Chinese, Japanese and Nicaraguan, Kim said.

“I think the designation could be helpful to people who are looking to move to Texas from Korea, as well as Korean Americans from other parts of the U.S. looking to move here,” Kim said in Korean.