Welcome Home, Tar Heels — Here’s What’s New
Welcome back to the Hill, Carolina students! We hope you had an exciting and re-energizing summer outside of Chapel Hill or right here at home. For those of you who have been away for a while, allow us to offer you an update on the latest in shopping, dining and activities near campus.
Building on the Hill
Come September, a project 10 years in the making will launch in downtown Chapel Hill. The innovation district has been dreamed up by Chapel Hill and UNC Chapel-Hill. A key element in the launch is the 137 Franklin | 136 Rosemary building, redeveloped by Grubb Properties as the new home of Innovate Carolina and Launch Chapel Hill. A visitors center, hotel and life science center are among the aspirations for this downtown district come 2025.
And speaking of Grubb Properties construction, we have a new apartment complex in the works! Say hello to Link Apartments® Calyx. These midrise apartments, built within the Glen Lennox neighborhood, will offer residents a 24/7 fitness center, yoga studio and Link Ride bike center. With preleasing beginning in the fall, there’s no better time to secure your spot.
Another Chapel Hill establishment — University Place — is experiencing some exciting change. New dining and shopping will call the soon-to-be revitalized shopping center home. One change during the construction process: the Chapel Hill Farmers Market is now located along Fordham Boulevard behind Circle K. A trip to the market on Saturday or Tuesday is always a treat with late summer fruits and veggies, live music and community.
Latest in Dining
Franklin Street eats just keep getting better! And the newest editions to the lineup — Bul Box, Crumbl and Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop — leave you with three fresh menus to explore.
Located on West Franklin Street, Bul Box is now bringing a casual selection of Asian dishes to Chapel Hill. Boasting six additional locations in North Carolina, students can now “travel the world from your table.” Included on Chapel Hill’s menu are signature boxes, poke bowls and build your own boxes.
After Bul Box, stroll across the street for a cookie from Crumbl. With a menu of six cookies that rotates weekly, there’s sure to be a new flavor to try. Packaged in an iconic pink box, you can spot Crumbl from a mile away. These desserts are as big as your hand though, so you may need a bigger glass if you plan on dunking them in milk.
Maybe Asian cuisine and cookies aren’t your thing; Franklin Street has another new restaurant still. Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop opened in the spring and has been supplying students with both meat-heavy and vegetarian sandwiches ever since. Nestled between Cold Stone Creamery and Blue Horn Lounge, stop by this semester to grab a sandwich after class.
In Your Free Time
Recreation, retail and rest — three areas in which Chapel Hill has stepped up its game! While you were away, this college town added some attractions to fill up your free time in between homework and football season festivities.
Maybe you had some great shopping options outside of Chapel Hill. Never fear, we’ve got you covered at home. The most recent to the local retail game: Marshall Goods and The Consignors. First opened in Los Angeles, Marshall Goods has made it all the way to Franklin Street to offer locals clothing, accessories and home decor from over a dozen brands. For secondhand treasures, consider working with The Consignors by checking out one of their current auctions.
The school year can be stressful, so why not relieve some of that stress at Restore Hyper Wellness. This modern wellness company provides services like cryotherapy, red light therapy and infrared sauna treatments. Backed with accolades, Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 awarded Restore Hyper Wellness #1 In Category in 2021 and 2022.
After you’re done relaxing, how about some time in the great outdoors? In case you missed the pickleball craze, it’s all the rage these days. Play a game with friends at the University’s courts or Ephesus Park. Another development —UNC-CH’s partnership with Spin — also adds some fun to getting outside! Visitors and students alike can use these e-bikes to ride through campus.
There’s a lot to love about Chapel Hill, and these new developments and businesses make the city even more exciting to come back to. We hope you have a great start to the school year — welcome home!