Editor’s note: This is the first in a monthly series that will focus on changes at local businesses.
Top of the Hill
The owner of Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery will start up a distillery where the Chapel Hill News’ printing presses used to be.
Owner Scott Maitland said he hopes to have the micro-distillery up and running by the spring. Top of the Hill’s will be one of the first vodka micro-distilleries in the state, he said.
“Chapel Hill and Carrboro can say, ‘Hey, we got this in our town,’” Maitland said.
Maitland said it will be a separate business, selling the alcohol to the state. Bars, restaurants, and private citizens will be able to buy the products through ABC stores, he said.
Walgreens
The orange cones surrounding the space under Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery mark the future site for a Walgreens.
Walgreens will occupy the space between November and January, said corporate representative Robert Elfinger. He said the corporation chose the location after reviewing traffic patterns and close proximity to campus.
“Construction has been a mixed bag,” Elfinger said.
He would not speak about competition with nearby Sutton’s Drug Store.
Franklin Street Arts Collective
The Franklin Street Arts Collective plans to open an art co-op on the east end of the street, where Rite Aid used to be.
“This addition will draw visitors into downtown, encourage shoppers and act as a small economic engine of growth,” said Dwight Bassett, economic development officer of Chapel Hill.
The co-op will exhibit a wide range of art and is already negotiating with more than 70 different artists.
“There are still hurdles to cross, so it will be three to four weeks before opening dates can even be discussed,” Bassett said.
Cluck-U Chicken
After closing in the spring due to high overhead costs, Cluck-U Chicken has reopened with new management and aggressive advertising.
If all goes according to plan, new Cluck-U manager Roberto Fernandez will start serving beer at his restaurant.
To help advertising, he’s planning to add video game systems to the premises.
“I’m meeting with a representative from EA Sports this week to discuss introducing Madden Mondays to Cluck-U Chicken,” Fernandez said.
He said he looks forward to busy nights now that summer doldrums have passed.
Jack Sprat Cafe
Now that Jack Sprat is owned by the people who own The Library, it will serve food until 1:30 a.m. and start making alcoholic drink smoothies and espresso martinis.
It’s also going to have live jazz from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Thursday, add new appetizers to the menu and expand catering.
Other than that, new owners Kyle Heath, Jason Ray and Willoughby Nute are going to try to keep Jack Sprat’s atmosphere as is.
“Most people won’t know that it changed ownership,” Heath said. “This is not going to turn into The Library.”
