The Daily Tar Heel

UNC junior Erin Boone, seinor Artistea Tontai, and Isiuwa Oghagbon chat after enjoying an outdoor meal at Mediterranenan Deli on Franklin Street on Monday, April 26.

Ira Wilder

News

Restaurants ask for permanent sidewalk space as COVID-19 regulations loosen

By Emma Kenfield | Apr. 26, 2021

Although social distancing and capacity guidelines are being lifted, businesses on Franklin Street have advocated for some of these new policies to stick around, like allowances for outdoor seating space. For the past year, local restaurants have benefitted from curbside parking spots, extended sidewalks, outdoor seating and other temporary allowances approved by the Town of Chapel Hill. Robert Poitras, the owner of Carolina Brewery on West Franklin, has advocated to make patio extensions on West Franklin Street — like the one at Carolina Brewery — permanent to both the Town and the NCDOT.

“We've been through the 2008 financial crisis, the year y2k, where everybody went crazy over that, and then the turn of the century, the Mayan calendar. I mean, I've seen it all down here. So we just keep calm and carry on.” Sid Keith stands in the front of his small business "Surplus Sid" on March 8, 2021. Small-scale but beloved business owners reflect on staying open amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Calli Westra

News

Hidden gems in Chapel Hill, Carrboro persevere through a year of slow business

By Emma Kenfield | Mar. 9, 2021

“I don't know what I’d do with myself if I couldn't come over here and unlock the door in the morning,” said Barry Keith, owner of Surplus Sids. These local business owners reflect on the year of coronavirus, how they survived and why they’re still holding on.

DTH Photo Illustration. Local governments met to discuss protections for LGBTQ+ people in Orange County.

Caroline Bittenbender

News

Three Orange County towns become first in N.C. to pass LGBTQ nondiscrimination ordinances

By Emma Kenfield | Jan. 19, 2021

The nondiscrimination ordinance is a step in the right direction by protecting people from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Cars drive down Franklin Street on Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 outside of Four Corners, which has built outdoor seating to accommodate for the pandemic but poses some accessibility problems.

Abe Loven

News

Push for outdoor seating on Franklin Street raises questions about accessibility

By Emma Kenfield | Nov. 5, 2020

An increase in outdoor seating options on Franklin Street could pose potential problems for the disabled community. Sarah Gilles, a chairperson of the Disability Advocates Committee of the Campus Y, said the push for outdoor seating is good for business but could shift accessibility standards to the back burner. Chelsea Laws, director of Building and Development Services for the Town of Chapel Hill, said the Town looks at accessibility requirements to make sure people can get in and out of all businesses. But UNC doctoral student Dalvin Tsay, who uses a wheelchair, said blocked sidewalks and small ramps make it extremely difficult to get around.

On-Duty Manager, Victor Yax, poses in front of Carolina Coffee Shop.

Shannon Hodges

News

'It’s all about survival': Long-time Chapel Hill restaurants reflect on past, future

By Emma Kenfield | Sep. 27, 2020

Sutton's Drug Store, Linda's Bar and Grill and Carolina Coffee Shop are three Franklin Street staples looking to survive the pandemic and continue serving Chapel Hill residents. Christopher Carini, owner and operator of Linda's Bar and Grill, said he can't wait to reopen and will do whatever it takes to survive until that can happen. Sutton's Drug Store has been on Franklin Street for 97 years, and owner Don Pinney said he won't let it die. “It’s all about survival, trying to keep people employed, so they still have an income, making just enough money at the restaurant to take care of your staff,” said Kyle Shea, general manager of Carolina Coffee Shop.

News

Updates for 203 Project presented at Carrboro Town Council meeting

By Emma Kenfield and Li-Anne Wright | Sep. 20, 2020

Local business owners and Town Council members expressed hesitation about Carrboro's 203 Project, a development project on South Greensboro Street, at a Sept. 15 Carrboro Town Council meeting.

Linda's open sign was unlit on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020 due to the restaurant closing because of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising case numbers.

Angelina Katsanis

News

Linda's and Moe's close their doors as COVID-19 cases spike

By Emma Kenfield | Aug. 30, 2020

Following a spike in COVID-19 cases on campus at UNC, Moe's Southwest Grill and Linda's Bar and Grill have shut their doors.

Ms. Mong restaurant's front door and "Closed" sign on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. Ms. Mong is one of the multiple businesses on Franklin Street that have closed due to health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Angelina Katsanis

News

Ms Mong, Lula's, LOTSA and other Chapel Hill restaurants close due to COVID-19

By Emma Kenfield | Aug. 20, 2020

Lula’s, LOTSA Stone Fired Pizza and Ms Mong are some of the restaurants that have permanently closed their doors because of the coronavirus.

Students in masks walk across Franklin Street on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020.

Angelina Katsanis

News

Here's what restaurants on Franklin Street are open for dine-in and takeout

By Emma Kenfield | Aug. 9, 2020

Restaurants, coffee shops and bars on Franklin Street are slowly reopening, bringing some familiarity back to life as a UNC student. Here’s a list of places, old and new, that have opened their doors to the public.

Activists participate in anti-war demonstrations on Franklin Street in October of 1969. Photo courtesy of Wilson Library Archives.

News

How the women of Orange County stepped up to respond to WWI and the Spanish Flu

By Emma Kenfield | Mar. 29, 2020

Women also formed various war circles, in which they made hospital gowns, garments for refugees, bed pads and various medical supplies. These circles were the accessible alternative to Red Cross Chapters for rural women of Orange County who lived in more isolated areas.