The Shrunken Head Stays Ahead

Awarded “Best place to stock up on Carolina paraphernalia” by The Daily Tar Heel for 2007, the Shrunken Head Boutique on Franklin Street is the longest standing Carolina souvenir shop in Chapel Hill.  Hopefully, fingers crossed, the cash registers will be ringing more than usual in the upcoming weeks as UNC vies for a national title and Tar Heel fans rush to buy their national championship memorabilia (from Shrunken Head, I hope!)!

Genny Henderson Wrenn, daughter of owner Shelton Henderson, 74, attributes the business’s 39 years of survival on fickle Franklin to her father and their family tradition.  Wrenn said her father has always prided himself and his employees in customer service.

You cannot enter Shrunken Head without a hello and you’re never left wanting for more assistance.  The Shrunken Head has the retail business down to an art.

On home game days, Shrunken Head gives out free Tar Heel tattoos and buttons to their customers.  It is a way to bring people in and support the Heels.  Wrenn says people appreciate that and “they just know that.”

Wrenn said, “We treat our customers like family.  We do a lot of hugging around here.”

Wrenn said the NCAA championship Rounds 1 and 2 have brought a lot of people into the store. 

Wrenn is preparing for the possibility of a final four victory and national title.  She explained the immense amount of preparation that goes into having a successful season.  Wrenn has been planning for March Madness since mid-January.

Wrenn explained that the she places orders with designers all over the country on an “if win” contingent.  Wrenn said when the buzzer sounds declaring a Carolina victory, her madness begins.

The Shrunken Head employees will break down the store and fill their walls with championship gear and souvenirs.  Wrenn will have to meet truck drivers who have driven through the night at 7:00 AM to receive all the merchandise. 

I had the awesome opportunity of getting a sneak peak at the national championship designs, but all I can say is… I’m getting every single one!

Wrenn said it is a lot of hard work, but when saying our goodbyes, Wrenn still gave me a big hug, and with a big smile said, “GO HEELS!”

  

Apologies

As I stated in a previous post, I had planned to interview the head of the Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership, but with the current tradgedy in Chapel Hill, the interview did not occur.  I have not been successful in reaching any of the town council or Downtown Partnership over the past couple of weeks.  I am sure that they are overwhelmed with interview requests and safety procedure updates so I have not pushed very hard.  I plan to continue further with my investigations of downtown development in the coming weeks.  Please stay tuned!

Bruegger’s Bagels Bites the Dust

So if you haven’t noticed, there’s another dark hole on Franklin Street these days, Bruegger’s Bagels shut its doors recently and does not plan to reopen that location.  Now, if you want a hot, fresh bagel, your only options are Panera, Alpine on UNC’s campus, or get in your car and drive down to the West Franklin Street Bruegger’s in Ram’s Plaza. 

Everytime I went to Brueggers I felt like it was busy, but employees at the West Franklin Street location said the downtown location just was not making any money.  The commercial real estate company just raised the rent per square foot on Franklin Street—I believe that they have claimed another student favorite. 

It’s a shame that such a busy college town does not even have a good bagel shop anymore.  I feel that a good bagel shop is a staple in any bustling community, like Chapel Hill. 

UNC graduate student, Casey Deak, said, “There’s kind of a void on Franklin Street, there should be a good ole’ mom and pop bagel shop where we can get bagels and bagel sandwiches.  I think it would do very well in the area because bagels are quick and easy to take on the go, like to class or to work.”

Franklin Street offers a range of fare from Italian, Chinese, gourmet, and you typical burger joint; but, the area is lacking in quick breakfast options for students and professionals on their way to work.  The typical Chapel Hill resident does not have time to sit down at Ye Old Waffle Shop, Coffee Shop, or Breadman’s for a hot meal in the morning; we need a quick coffee and bagel to get us going to work or to class. 

I continue to see unique stores and restaurants open on Franklin Street, take for instance Bubble Tea and Sugarland.  These stores serve very specific niches in the community.  Many of these niche stores will not meet the bottom line with high rents, high overhead, and a poor student customer base.

So… calling all entrepreneurs, we need you to fill this void and bring something to Franklin Street that the students really want!