All Up In Your Business, Sept. 3

Podcast explores Chapel Hill business

The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership has begun producing a podcast focusing on townspeople and events.

The podcast, “This is Chapel Hill,” debuted Aug. 27.

It is hosted by the Partnership’s assistant director Bobby Funk. Funk said the podcast’s format is a thirty-minute chat with a local business owner or public figure about themselves and local news and events.

The podcast is available through both iTunes and the Partnership’s website.

“I think the podcast is an interesting format because it is available anytime and people can listen at their own leisure,” Funk said.

The first episode featured Linda’s Bar and Grill owner Chris Carini.

The two talked about Carini’s move to Chapel Hill, buying the bar and his vision for the future, said Funk.

Funk said he plans to release new shows weekly.

Future guests will include Chapel Hill Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt and Chris Mumford, who is involved with local business incubator LAUNCH-Chapel Hill.

“We’re really excited about the show and we think it’ll get good exposure for things going on in the town,” Funk said.

Salon to open in Greenbridge this fall

A hair salon will soon open in the Greenbridge Condominiums complex on West Rosemary Street.

“It’s kind of an upscale salon with a moderate price-point,” said Jaime Phillips, who co-owns the salon with Jessica Reiner and Julie Smith.

To The Woods is set to open in mid-November, said Phillips.

“It’s important to create an upscale and nice environment that’s still welcoming to a lot of people,” said Reiner.

Phillips said she and her partners found the Greenbridge space appealing because it’s located on the border of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. She said it also has good walkability and parking space.

The architecture of the building was another draw for the owners.

“We love the glass windows and the high ceilings,” said Reiner.

“It will have a gallery-style feel in an industrial space, and be a warm and friendly environment,” Phillips said.

Reiner also said the salon’s presence in the complex may draw more businesses to look at Greenbridge for retail space.

“I think that the more activity that comes to Greenbridge, the more interest it will peak in the community,” said Reiner. “Hopefully, our presence will encourage other local business owner to open up shop.”

Restaurant gets new pair of chefs

A duo of co-executive chefs that has traveled together for ten years was hired to take the helm of [ONE] restaurant in Chapel Hill.

[ONE] is located in Meadowmont Village off of Raleigh Road near the William and Ida Friday Center.

Daniel Ryan and Kim Floresca have worked across the United States and in Spain. [ONE] restaurant will be their first experience as executive chefs, according to a press release.

Floresca said the two have worked in the same cities and some of the same restaurants in the past.

The chefs chose North Carolina because of the local agriculture.

Those wishing to see Floresca and Ryan hard at work can sit at the chef’s bar [ONE]’s open kitchen.

The moderately-priced chef’s tasting menu features five to seven courses depending on the season and available ingredients.