For Josh Francisco, Lynn Street is a place of opportunity. Nearly four years ago, he leased renovated space in the former Durham Hosiery Mills building at 523-525 Lynn St. to open a fitness center he named Old 97 CrossFit.
As his business grew, so did the need for more space. He chose to purchase and renovate a building in the next block, 416 Lynn St. In mid-August, Josh held a grand opening at his new location.
Old 97 CrossFit is just one of many businesses that now line Lynn Street. That list includes Old 97 Tavern, Mama’s Attic Thrift Store, Smokestack Theatre Company, Preferred Management Group, The Happy Little Fox Toy Shop, Angel’s Creative Catering, Riverwalk Event Rentals & Décor, Pretty N’ Cute Pet Grooming, Impotters Clayworx, Lavinder Group & Associates, and River City Tans.
Former warehouses and factories have been converted into apartment buildings, including Smith Seed Lofts, The Knitting Mill, and Lynn Street Lofts.
Also on Lynn Street are the Fire Department’s headquarters, fire station No. 1, emergency operations center, and 9-1-1 emergency communications center. These buildings opened in 2014 on the site of the former Danville Lumber and Manufacturing Co.
“It has built up nicely,” Francisco says of the growth in his four years on Lynn Street. “To have a front-row seat (for many of the new businesses moving in) has been pretty cool.”
A storied past
Lynn Street’s history is deeply tied to Danville’s industrial boom. The street was home to some of the city’s most prominent factories and warehouses, including the Danville Knitting Mills. Established in 1898, it manufactured cotton hosiery for men, women, and children. It later became Durham Hosiery Mills, which employed hundreds of workers.
But as industry declined, so did Lynn Street. The factories that once buzzed with activity fell silent, and the buildings were left to deteriorate. By the early 2000s, Lynn Street had become a forgotten part of Danville.
The catalyst for Lynn Street’s rebirth came with the River District Development Plan established in 2011. As part of the broader downtown revitalization efforts that started on Bridge Street and gradually expanded to Main, Craghead, and Union streets, Lynn Street was identified as a key area for redevelopment.
Samantha Bagbey, project manager for the Danville Office of Economic Development and Tourism, says Lynn Street became the best option for entrepreneurs as spaces filled up on Main and Craghead streets.
“There is so much growth in the River District,” Bagbey says. “Lynn Street was the next logical step. It’s continuing to grow by the day.”
Since the River District Development Plan was put in place, Bagbey says $460 million in private investment has been generated in the River District, with $52 million in public investment. A total of 97 businesses have opened.
The Office of Economic Development and Tourism works in partnership with the River District Association, which operates a small business boot camp that has had 530 participants to date.
Bagbey encourages entrepreneurs interested in the River District to contact her office to discuss their plans. Entrepreneurs may qualify for local and state grants and incentives. The department can also assist in determining if opportunities are available in historical districts.
A flourishing community
As Lynn Street continues to evolve, it clearly has entered a new and exciting chapter in its storied history. By attracting new investments and businesses, it not only has cemented its place as a contributor to the revitalization of the River District and the city as a whole, but has become a symbol of Danville’s resilience and renewal.
The River District is thriving, and Lynn Street is no exception. For Josh Francisco—a Danville native and Galileo High School alum with a passion for fitness—and other entrepreneurs, Lynn Street is a place of opportunity.