Things are looking up for the downtown Chapel Hill area, as local businesses are claiming to experience a record-breaking summer.

Chapel Hill Mayor, Mark Kleinschmidt, spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck about the success stories from such local businesses he has heard and how the town’s economy is growing.

“There’s so much more activity,” says Mayor Kleinschmidt. “There’s so much more life happening in these really slow days. This town economy is really starting to steer towards a 12-month year, and it’s really exciting.”

With the amount of recent developments in downtown, including the amenities of 140 West, Mayor Kleinschmidt says that simply talking about the growth has even played a role in how members of the community participate in making the area bigger, better, and more exciting.

“As people moved in, it raises expectations,” Mayor Kleinschmidt says, “and the fact that the people are thinking about that gets them downtown, and because they’re downtown, it does become what they say.”

Mayor Kleinschmidt says that though he has not heard much about as many closing businesses, he says that the few places that do go out of business have for more understandable reasons.

Related Stories
‹
Downtown Starbucks To Relocate on East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill
According to Starbucks' store manager Daniel Reutzel, the new location is expected to open between mid-July and August 1st, before the new school year starts at UNC. Reutzel said Starbucks has been "looking into" the new location for at least two years, and he is excited to expand.
UNC, Chapel Hill Partnership To Foster Economic Development With 'Innovation District'
UNC-Chapel Hill and the town of Chapel Hill announced a new partnership aiming to increase UNC’s economic impact on the town and the Triangle area.
OWASA Details Downtown Chapel Hill Water Line Replacement, Major Road Closure
A significant OWASA water line replacement project is set to close parts of West Rosemary Street for roughly 18 months starting this fall.
White Sauce Grill & Bar Now Open on West Franklin Street
White Sauce Grill & Bar, which offers Mediterranean gyros and platters, is now open at 104 West Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill. The restaurant moved into the space previously occupied by Trolly Stop Hot Dogs & Grill, which closed in October of 2023. The space – located between I Love N.Y. Pizza and Ben […]
Parking, Parties and Team History: What to Know Ahead of Mexico vs. Türkiye Soccer in Chapel Hill
The men's national soccer teams of Mexico and Türkiye will meet in Chapel Hill Tuesday for a friendly. Here's what to know before you go.
The Rookery Opens on West Margaret Lane, Offering Cocktails and 'A Place to Nest'
Hillsborough welcomed a new bar to its community over the weekend — as it formally started operations in the prominent former home of another popular bar. The Rookery officially opened to customers on Friday at 115 West Margaret Lane. The business is the latest venture of B.J. Patel, who is also behind the restaurant Nomad […]
Chapel Hill's Schoolkids Records Closing At End of 2024
Schoolkids Records, which has operated for nearly 50 years, will close its downtown Chapel Hill location at 405-C West Franklin Street at the end of 2024, according to owner Stephen Judge. The Raleigh location and in-house label will remain open. “After many decades of serving the community, this extremely difficult decision was not taken lightly,” […]
Town of Chapel Hill Announces Dates, Themes for 2024 Festifall Arts Markets
Festifall will return to downtown Chapel Hill this autumn with some changes. This year, there will be only two market dates: Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 2. However, both dates will be themed: October 26 will be Carolina Day, and priority will be given to market applicants local to the Triangle and North Carolina. […]
New Playa Bowls Location on Franklin Street Holding Grand Opening on Saturday
The new Playa Bowls location at 104 East Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill will hold its grand opening on Saturday, August 10. According to the Downtown Chapel Hill website, the festivities will begin at 11 a.m. and last until 8 p.m. The first 50 customers will receive a free bowl and a free t-shirt. […]
VooDoo Wing Company to Open Chapel Hill Location on July 31
A growing wing company has set its sights on opening its first North Carolina location in the coming days, with the location in downtown Chapel Hill. VooDoo Wing Company plans to open on East Franklin Street on Wednesday, July 31, management and ownership told Chapelboro. The location will be the business’ ninth after it was […]
›