Eastgate Shopping Center Businesses Update

BUSINESS

By Tyria Bourda
Correspondent

CHAPEL HILL – On July 6, 2025, Tropical Storm Chantal caused significant damage to local homes and businesses. One of the hardest-hit commercial areas was Eastgate Crossing, located at 1800 E. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill.

While several businesses have reopened, others remain under repair. Great Outdoor Provision Co. is among those back in operation, along with Trader Joe’s, Rose Nails, Winestore, Olmaz Jewelers, Guglhupf and Chipotle.

Businesses still undergoing repairs include Aldi, The Loop, Kipos Greek Taverna, Twisted Noodles, ULTA and others. Several tenants have closed permanently, including Talbots, Starbucks, Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken.

TLR spoke with Mary Stowe, the owner of Yarns Etc., which was initially located in Eastgate. The shop has relocated to the Glen Lennox Shopping Center at 1201 Raleigh Road, Suite C, in Chapel Hill. Yarns Etc. reopened Nov. 17, 2025.

“I am very happy that my community came out and supported Yarns Etc. to continue business in Chapel Hill,” Stowe said. “It really took a village to get here, and we are definitely excited.”

Photo courtesy of Yarns Etc., owner Mary Stowe

Clean Juice also suffered considerable flooding damage. To help with renovations, organizer Blake Adkin established a GoFundMe account. He said that despite the team’s quick response, the store incurred substantial losses, including all furniture and seating, appliances and equipment, and nearly all inventory and product supplies. As of now, the business has raised $8,367 toward its $25,000 goal.

Photo courtesy of Tyria Bourda, Clean Juice storefront

Renowned for its outdoor sports apparel and equipment, Great Outdoor Provision Co. officially reopened Friday, Oct. 24, following a three-month closure. The store had been a fixture at Eastgate for more than 20 years.

Chad Pickens, general manager of the Chapel Hill store, said their return just before the holiday season was intentional, as the company specializes in assisting customers with seasonal needs.

“We are hopeful that the town looks at ways that we might be able to mitigate future problems and get ahead of it so that we don’t see this level of destruction again,” Pickens said.

Photo Courtesy: Tyria Bourda

Eastgate Updates

Open Businesses
Birkenstock Footwear
Chipotle
Chopt Creative Salad Co.
Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Guglhupf Bake Shop
J.Crew
McPherson Cleaners
Olmaz Jewelers
Rose Nails
Shake Shack
T-Mobile
Trader Joe’s
Waxing the City
Winestore

Reopened
Blo – Temporary space at Salon Lofts, 201 S. Elliott Road
Medfirst – 1728 N. Fordham Blvd.
Style Brows Threading Studio – SOLA Salon Studios at Rams Plaza

Closed for Repairs
Aldi – Expected to reopen January 2026
Bruegger’s Bagels – Updating dining area; reopening expected January 2026
Clean Juice
Club Pilates
CorePower Yoga
Eastgate Shoe Repair
Elements Massage Studio
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Kipos Greek Taverna
Massage Envy
Petco – Full renovation underway with new fixtures; reopening anticipated spring 2026. Another location is at 8200 Renaissance Parkway, Suite 1012, Durham.
Restore Hyper Wellness
Snooze Eatery – Renovation nearing completion; reopening expected February 2026
The Loop
Twisted Noodles
Ulta – Expected to reopen in 2026

Permanently Closed
Dollar Tree
Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken – Carrboro location on East Main Street remains  open
Starbucks
Talbots
Zartiques Rugs

Downtown Chapel Hill Welcomes Sweetgreen

Located at 122 E. Franklin St., across from Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, the fast-casual salad and health bowl chain Sweetgreen officially opened Tuesday, Nov. 18. With numerous locations nationwide, the company launched its first North Carolina restaurant last fall in Raleigh; the Chapel Hill site is its second in the state.

TLR visited Sweetgreen seeking comment about the grand opening, but the company declined.

Photo courtesy of Tyria Bourda

Tyria McCray-Bourda is a story-driven journalist whose work has previously appeared in The Carolinian newspaper in Raleigh. Attaining a bachelor’s degree in communication from Southern New Hampshire University, she has the distinction of having interviewed President Joe Biden when he was a candidate on the campaign trail, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press