The Crunkleton aims to bring community together

Gary Crunkleton, owner of the popular Franklin Street bar, The Crunkleton, focuses on one thing: providing a great experience for the community.

Before he opened the bar in 2008, Crunkleton said he wanted to call it The Standard or Lucky’s, but everyone he asked said he had to call it Crunkleton.

He said he added "the" to the beginning to make the name more distinguished.

At Thursday's monthly meeting of the Friends of the Downtown, Crunkleton spoke about service.

Crunkleton said he strives to be open and understanding with guests, whether they’ve recently gone through a divorce, kissed a girl for the first time or are having their first drink at 21.

“Providing that service, I think, is what has made this place a genuinely comfortable spot for people to come,” he said.

Crunkleton said before he opened the bar, he wanted to go to law school, but was waitlisted at the UNC School of Law. 

Now, when Dean Michael States, the former assistant dean for admissions, comes to the bar, he jokes that Crunkleton should pay him for placing him on the wait list, Crunkleton said.

The Crunkleton was the first bar in North Carolina to sell Pappy Van Winkle, a rare bourbon, author Allegra Jordan said.

“(Pappy Van Winkle) is the bourbon that nobody can get,” Jordan said. 

“That’s something that’s really extraordinary about this place, is (Crunkleton’s) access to some of the most difficult stuff you can get,” she said. 

The bar is successful, but Crunkleton said beyond personal success, he wanted to place Chapel Hill on the map and contribute to the community. 

“I wanted to build a place that the town would be proud of and that would take a leadership role in cocktails, liquor and spirits throughout the whole state,” Crunkleton said.

Chapel Hill residents frequent The Crunkleton because of the unique atmosphere and great drinks.

“(The Crunkleton) is one of the coolest things about Chapel Hill," Gregg Gerdau, secretary of the board of the Friends of the Downtown, said. "He makes his own tonic for gin and tonic, which I never knew you could do.” 

Wes Pope, a member of the board of the Friends of the Downtown, said they chose to hold the meeting at The Crunkleton because it adds character to downtown Chapel Hill. 

“Gary himself is a unique, extroverted, gregarious personality and we want to support the local downtown businesses," Pope said. 

When Crunkleton held up a bottle of 21-year-old scotch to explain the oxidation process, an attendee joked that he should pass it around. 

“Y’all be careful what you joke about because I will pass the bottle and I will make you drink,” Crunkleton said.

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