Changes speckle downtown face

West Franklin Street already is reaping the benefits of a changing Chapel Hill downtown.

An upscale fashion boutique and a police substation recently opened at University Square on West Franklin Street, and this weekend, a sports bar is expected to open down the road.

Shorty's Bar and Grill, located at 504 W. Franklin St., will take the place of the North Carolina Sports Bar and Grill.

"It was a sports bar before, and we're kind of going for the same thing," said Tony Cash, an owner.

But he said Shorty's 25 TVs, pool tables, dart boards and live entertainment provided several times a week will make it stand out.

Cash said the restaurant will serve "typical everyday food," such as burgers, wraps and salads. It also will offer drink specials and a large selection of appetizers, he said.

Cash and his parents, Shorty and Cathy Cash, own Scoreboard Bar and Grill in Pittsboro and will also share ownership duties at the new restaurant.

Shorty's filled one of several vacancies on West Franklin Street, while a clothing store and police hub will fill two at University Square, at 133 W. Franklin St.

Apple Boutique, an upscale women's clothing store, in University Square next to Time-Out restaurant, opened a little more than a week ago.

Jamie Holland, owner of Apple Boutique, said the store will stand out because of its location across the street from Granville Towers and its appealing selection of designer clothes.

"I want the mother and daughter to shop here together," she said. "And I want the mother to feel like she can find something for herself, as well."

Apple Boutique - which Holland named after The Beatles' old London store of the same name - will sell clothing, jewelry and accessories in the price range of about $70 to $500, Holland said.

She said she will try to stock the boutique with undiscovered designers' creations.

Opening her store might also mean unifying retail businesses in the area, Holland said.

"People look around the area and see nothing but restaurants," she said. "I'm hoping our store will attract other similar businesses and get the retail industry back up again in downtown Chapel Hill."

Around the corner from Apple Boutique in University Square is the newest Chapel Hill Police Department substation. The substation officially opened Tuesday.

Officer Andre Gipson, one of three officers who will regularly rotate to staff the substation, said the substation is a way for Chapel Hill police to expand their reach in the city.

"Just to get us here in the central business district, a little closer to downtown - it'll let us keep our eyes on the community better."

 

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.