Making it on Franklin Street can prove to be mission: impossible for some, but according to most of the store owners in town, the key to success is finding a niche and sticking to it.Franklin Street is adorned with many specialty boutiques and shops.I would like to take this opportunity to highlight one of the most famous and popular boutiques on Franklin Street, Julian’s.
Julian’s has been a mainstay on Franklin Street for over 60 years.Alexander Julian, the current owner and manager, is world-renowned men and women’s clothing designer as well as home furnishings and sportswear designer.He was a graduate of the University of North Carolina and has always been committed to remaining in Chapel Hill.Julian is known for his specialty textures and brilliant use of craftsmanship and color.His signature design is the pastel argyle that adorns the store.
Julian’s just recently in February of 2007 moved across the street to a new store front.Julian’s moved into the old Polo Rugby location after Rugby was unable to make it in on fickle Franklin.
Alexander Julian is a five-time Coty Award winner and youngest inductee to the Fashion Hall of Fame.His textile designs are in the Smithsonian National Design Museum’s permanent collection.
Who knew such a historical and important stronghold in the fashion industry began and continues in the middle of Franklin Street?
If you haven’t noticed, there is a new addition to Franklin Street that could bring a lot of attention to Chapel Hill and the surrounding area in the coming months.The Barack Obama local headquarters is now located in the old Shorty’s Bar and Grille location on West Franklin.
Just a few weeks ago, the Franklin Street location was a hollow haunting, but now it is bustling with volunteers pushing local Orange County residents to register to vote for the upcoming primary on May 6.
The location has been the site of banner and billboard painting and phone-a-thons asking for local volunteers and donations.Activities will increase as May approaches.
As reported by The Carrboro Citizen, Dave Tillery is the local headquarters director.He has been planning for the headquarter’s opening since February.
It will be interesting to see the attention that is brought to Chapel Hill as the primary draws near; however, the question that resounds in my mind is, how can they afford that $3,000+ rent per month?
The Tar Heels will face the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday night at 8:47 P.M. and downtown Chapel Hill is battening down the hatches in hopes for a Final Four victory! However, many downtown businesses do not welcome the victory celebration that ensues after a big Tar Heel win.
There is a lot of preperation and precaution when preparing for a big win. Franklin Street customers are not welcome to drive to downtown busineses on the evenings of a big game which hurts business on game day.
The police department will close down Franklin Street between Mallete and Columbia Streets if the Tar Heels win.No matter what, there will be no parking on the street after 3:30 pm and all cars remaining in the area will be towed after 7:00 P.M.
For those readers who may not be familiar with the reasoning behind such drastic measures when the Tar Heels play a big game—you have to watch what could be to come Saturday night. For those that know, enjoy and hopefully I’ll see you in the crowd on Saturday night.
The Town of Chapel Hill has issued a formal notification about the Final Four and has set out plans for the street celebrations following aUNC victory.The Chapel Hill police have issued the following tips for a safe celebration: “don’t drive downtown” and “batten down the hatches.”The Town of Chapel Hill has made the following requirements/ recommendations for downtown businesses:
If your establishment sells paint, please restrict sale of CAROLINA blue paint for the next week.
No alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the closed area. This restriction is authorized by a Town ordinance making it unlawful to possess alcoholic beverages on streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and alleys within the closed area.
Discourage employees and customers, from parking in North Alley and South Alley. When the streets close, vehicles parked in these alleys will not have access to the street to leave.
If your establishment sells alcohol, please restrict all servings to paper or plastic cups and all bulk sales should be in cans so that we can keep glass out of the area.
If your establishment has an awning or any removable signs, we recommend removing or securing them in order to keep them from being damaged.
If possible, ensure that interior and exterior rooftop doors are secure to keep people off the roof.
Many businesses keep extra staff on the premises during celebrations to prevent orreport problems. Make sure that the Orange County Communications Center (919) 933-2600 has an up-to-date emergency call back number.
So come on Heels… let’s not have done all this planning in vain.Bring us home a Final Four victory and a trip to the championship! GO HEELS!
