After the Chapel Hill business community was shaken by the deaths of Dhruva and Kris Chellani earlier this month, a public memorial in their honor is set for downtown this weekend.

Organizers are asking those around Chapel Hill who knew the Chellanis to gather at the Peace & Justice Plaza on East Franklin Street on Saturday night — just a short distance away from their apparel store, Classic Carolina. The Chapel Hill shop shared the event, which will begin at 7 p.m., on its social media pages on Wednesday.

Dhruva Chellani opened the shop in 1993, which has since become a staple of the East Franklin Street businesses. His son Kris, who was a Chapel Hill High School and UNC alumnus, had recently taken ownership of the business and oversaw an extensive renovation to the space. Three days before the store was set to reopen, though, the pair were killed when an oncoming driver struck their vehicle head-on along NC 751 in Chatham County. Dhruva and Kris were pronounced dead at the scene, while Nina Chellani — the wife and mother of the family — was transported to UNC Hospitals for her own severe injuries.

On Saturday, a candlelight vigil will be held in Dhruva and Kris’ memory, with organizers describing it as a chance to “unite as a community and remember [their] exceptional legacy.” Organizers are asking people to RSVP if possible, as candles will be provided to attendants. Those interested in attending the memorial are asked to park at the Wallace Parking Deck or nearby side streets, and to consider wearing a face mask to respect others’ health risks.

More information, as well as the way to RSVP for Saturday’s memorial, can be found here.

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