ASHLEY MEDLEY | Voice-Tribune Southern Living named Crescent Hill one of the “Top Comeback Neighborhoods” because of its revitalization efforts. The magazine cited the neighborhood’s selection of local businesses.

It’s hard to believe that the vibrant, bustling Crescent Hill neighborhood was once one of the city’s least sought-after areas, but it was.

“Fifteen years ago you didn’t have to look for cars before crossing Frankfort Avenue,” said Metro Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh, D-9th District. “There was nobody coming out here.”

A resurgence of community pride led business and homeowners to repair, remodel and revitalize. Now Crescent Hill is one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods and has one of the largest collections of locally-owned businesses.

Southern Living  recently named Crescent Hill one of its Top Comeback Neighborhoods.

“Since (my family) moved here in 1987, the neighborhood has done an about face,” said Dr. Tim Allen, president of the Crescent Hill Community Council.

Allen credits people who were willing to purchase and fix up the neighborhood’s older homes as the ones who kicked off the revitalization. Nice homes drew more people to the area, which attracted more businesses, many within walking distance of the residential streets.

“I want to pay tribute to the ‘Keep Louisville Weird’ program,” Allen said. “The supply of local businesses along the Frankfort Avenue corridor started with Heine Brothers’ Coffee and Carmichael’s Bookstore. Little by little, other businesses came in and Crescent Hill came to be a destination.”

John Johnson opened his store, The Wine Rack at 2632 Frankfort Ave., seven years ago.

“What drew me to the neighborhood was I had just moved back (to Louisville) from Houston and I explored all the neighborhoods a little bit,” he said. “And there were two things about Crescent Hill: I just really love this neighborhood and there were no other wine and spirits shops on Frankfort Avenue.”

Johnson’s store has thrived since its opening. He did a massive renovation on it about a year ago.

ASHLEY MEDLEY | Voice-Tribune John Johnson, owner of The Wine Rack, chose Crescent Hill because of the support the neighborhood gives local businesses.

“The neighborhood embraced me and my store into the community, and in terms of the business district, the Frankfort Avenue Business Association is very proactive in growing the Frankfort Avenue corridor,” Johnson said.

Ward-Pugh said the transformation started out small.

“It began with the previous administration,” she said, referencing her predecessor, former Alderwoman Melissa Mershon. “She began to invest in the public infrastructure along Frankfort Avenue, to the tune of more than $1 million over a couple years.”

Under Mershon’s guidance, new sidewalks, sidewalk furniture, planters and streetlights were installed.

“People began to feel safe and like they had the ability to walk to the library or walk to the park or walk to the stores and restaurants,” Ward-Pugh said.

The inception of the Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop has brought even more attention to the area.

“The downtown trolley hop looked to be a good idea, so we kind of copied it,” Allen said. “Lots of people came to see the galleries and saw there were restaurants, shops and coffee shops they could go to.”

The avenue’s layout was also conducive to the neighborhood’s growth, Ward-Pugh said.

“The railroad plays an integral part in the ‘smart growth’ of the business corridor. You don’t have businesses on both sides of the street, so it seems more contained,” she said.

Kristin Kephart, who co-owns South Bayly Boutique and lives in Crescent Hill with her husband, said the neighborhood has a unique feel to it.

“The best thing is the people and the sense of neighborhood,” Kephart said. “We have lots of loyal neighborhood customers and we leave treats out for the dogs. There’s a real sense of community.”

Kephart lived in Crescent Hill for six years before moving away. When she returned, there was no question where she would settle.

“You can walk up the street and you know everybody – not in a nosy sort of way, but in a neighborly way,” she said.

“When people have lived here and moved away, they frequently come back for the community events, the Easter Parade and the Fourth of July Parade,” Allen said. “And they are always welcomed back. Once you’ve lived here, you’re a Crescent Hillian for life.”