Mall Offers Different Experience

With new shopping areas such as Durham's Streets at Southpoint arising, this should be a surprising statement. But renovations and the recruitment of new vendors are making University Mall different shopping than the average mall.

At first glance, the commercial space situated between East Franklin Street and South Estes Drive doesn't look like anything special. But inside, many of the vendors are truly unique to Chapel Hill -- making University Mall a fabulous up-and-coming shopping experience.

And the future only looks brighter for the mall as it anticipates the opening of A Southern Season, a locally owned gourmet store, in the summer of 2003.

The addition of popular and upscale stores such as A Southern Season will make the shopping experience at University Mall much better than average for local consumers. Community-owned and -operated shops that are unique to Chapel Hill set the mall apart from other shopping centers.

With good reason, the existing tenants of University Mall are thrilled about the addition of A Southern Season, which will open a new specialty store at its Eastgate Shopping Center location. Stores such Cameron's, which has been in the mall for years, likely will benefit greatly from the increased business from A Southern Season's big name.

Plus, the difference between having a store like Belk's in that spot and A Southern Season there is huge: Shoppers can go to Belk's in any N.C. city. But tenants of University Mall hope A Southern Season will draw shoppers to the mall from all over the state. So it's no wonder the tenants are eagerly anticipating the store's arrival.

But even before A Southern Season opens, the mall has seen an increase in business.

The success of eateries such as The Bear Rock Cafe have helped, adding a popular, inexpensive and quality restaurant that attracts students and families to shop after their meal.

University Mall public relations director Lynda McNutt said the mall's renovations already have improved the amount of holiday shoppers frequenting the mall this year.

"We are really excited about the changes," McNutt said. "Our new tenants have brought new excitement and their own traffic into the new mall."

Replacing the freestanding K&W Cafeteria building outside the mall will be Spice Street restaurant, owned by Durham restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias. The restaurant, slated to open in January 2003, will feature a restaurant and market where exotic spices, teas, and foods are served and sold.

But the biggest draw for the restaurant this winter will be the "Live With Matt Doherty" radio show, which will be broadcast from the restaurant Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

And for the four weeks in December until the restaurant officially opens in January, the show will be broadcast from the center court of University Mall, which should encourage fans to come early to eat and stay late to shop.

McNutt said she believes the show will have an impact on the stores for at least a couple of hours on Thursdays before and after the show.

"We are thrilled to death to have the show on our property," McNutt said. "It provides a strong connection between the University and the community."

But what makes University Mall truly unique is the presence of three art galleries. The galleries appeal to the affluent, artsy Chapel Hill population who enjoy local as well as world-renowned pieces.

The additions will complement the recent completion of $9 million renovation project that has improved the interior lighting and aesthetics of the mall.

Interior renovations. Upscale art galleries. Well-respected restaurants. A live coach's show. And a famous, locally owned gourmet store.

All the pieces are in place to make University Mall one of the best shopping centers around. No, you won't find The Gap or Belk's. You'll have to go to Southpoint for that.

But if it's quality, community-oriented, local vendors you're looking for, look no farther than right down the street.

Carolyn Pearce can be reached at cpearce@email.unc.edu.