Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- The New Year brings with it a full year of celebrations for the Five Points community. 2015 marks 100 years since the entertainment district has been around.
"You gotta see Five Points you just go to," said Joseph Azar, owner of Upstairs Audio and Video on Harden Street. "If you're going to be in Columbia, Five Points is one of the destination places."
He's run Upstairs Audio and Video since 1987.
"I knew it would grow, I knew it would develop and I wanted to be here," he said of the area, and he has been around to see its changes.
"Years ago all the business for students was up on campus and South Main Street and Sumter Street in that area. As students got cars and they were more mobile and campus came this way a little people started coming to Five Points and Five Points then got to be a very popular place," he recalled.
Tim Smith, owner Papa Jazz Record Shoppe has been in the community for the last 35 years. He says Five Points is seeing some of its best days.
"Our neighborhood has improved a lot over the years and I think things are the best business wise than I can ever remember it being," said Smith.
He attributes that success to the local nature of the Five Points community.
"When you have a lot of local businesses you have a certain neighborhood vibe," said Smith.
Amy Beth Franks with the Five Points Association says the area used to be a wetlands area that Rocky Branch Creek flowed through.
Franks say the area came about when the city drained it to address a malaria outbreak.
"With such a unique history like that and over 150 merchants that have been here for so long Five Points is truly a really special and important part of our urban core and this year we get to celebrate that all year long," she said.
The Five Point Association has planned celebrations throughout the year. They will announce events as dates approach.
