Celebrate Small Business Saturday in Chapel Hill
Thanksgiving preparations are in full swing this week — from the turkey to the stuffing to Black Friday shopping. Big box stores will be rolling out the deep discounts, but if you’re looking for a more heartfelt and unique gift, check out Chapel Hill’s locally owned businesses. You can take advantage of Small Business Saturday on November 26 to support our hometown entrepreneurs and their staffs. To get you started, here are a few of our favorite local places to shop.
Julian’s
The original styles crafted by Julian’s is deeply woven into the culture of Chapel Hill. The Franklin Street store was founded in 1942 by UNC alumnus Maurice Julian and has been supplying high-end fashion to Chapel Hill and beyond ever since. Julian’s distinctive argyle patterning and first usage of the Old Well as an icon on clothing made them a household name and cemented their place in history. The store achieved national recognition when they were selected to redesign the basketball jerseys for both the UNC Tar Heels and the Charlotte Hornets in the late 1980s. Today, the shop is still a family business owned by Maurice’s children, Alex and Missy. This year also marks Julian’s 80th year in business, so be sure to stop in and wish them a Happy 80th!
FRANK Gallery
What makes the Franklin Street Art Collective Gallery, a.k.a. FRANK, unique is that it’s not simply a small business, it’s a vehicle for local artists to promote and sell their work. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, FRANK is a collective committed to showcasing the best artists in the area and giving back to the community through the fine arts. Inside the FRANK Gallery you can peruse creations of numerous mediums including paintings, ceramics, wood carvings, sculptures, photographs and more. FRANK also operates multiple community initiatives including the Karen Youth Art Group, the Emerging Artist Program and Hero Books. The gallery is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday and is always looking for local art lovers to support their mission.
Chapel Hill Tire
Founded in 1953, Chapel Hill Tire is one of six Franklin Street businesses that have been open for more than 60 years. Since its purchase by Al Pons in 1964, Chapel Hill Tire has grown to service 6,000 cars a month at 10 locations as the Triangle’s largest auto repair business. Tire may be in the name, but the auto shop offers more services than just tire repair, including oil change, air conditioning maintenance, engine servicing, brake repair, state inspections and more. Car maintenance is essential, and gifting a loved one services that will keep their vehicle running smoothly is not only a practical gift, but it shows you care about their safety. Still a family business after all these years, Chapel Hill Tire provides excellent services and promotions that are worth a look this weekend.
Kidzu
It’s time to play! For 16 years, Kidzu Children’s Museum has provided the community’s youth an interactive museum and play place. An excellent indoor destination for kids to stay active during the upcoming winter, Kidzu is a community staple for family bonding and school field trips. The museum fosters active play and craftsmanship with exhibits like a climbing wall, an arts and crafts “Makery,” a make-believe farmers market, a library and more. The gift of a Kidzu membership to a child means unlimited visits, 20 percent off Kidzu summer camps, 50 percent off admission to children’s museums around the country and $50 off Kidzu birthday parties.
Bread & Butter Screen Printing
Need some slick shirts for your friends or to celebrate an event? Since 1979, Bread & Butter Screenprinting in Glen Lennox has been the Chapel Hill go-to for custom tees and other wearable prints. Recognizing how attached people can become to their favorite items of clothing, owner Melanie Wall wants the development of each print to be a personal process. When you are looking for hats to commemorate a family vacation, sleeveless tees for your rec league buddies or a personalized onesie for a newborn baby – this screenprinting shop does it all. If you need a team whose bread and butter is printing, reach out to them today!
This time of year is about giving thanks, and we are grateful to have so many homegrown businesses that add to the vibrancy of our community. From the Glen Lennox family to you and yours, Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy Small Business Saturday!