Shopping

Shopping is a delight for everyone, especially the kids. Somehow, no matter how gloomy the weather or how unhappy we may feel temporarily, a stroll down "main street" or a walk around the mall can be more uplifting than a doctor's prescription (and probably a lot less expensive today). The best thing is that Orange County isn't like Fifth Avenue or the Miracle Mile or Rodeo Drive—pricewise. It offers lots of national stores and brands, to be sure, but also more regional products that reflect the unique character and diversity and economy of the towns here and the greater North Carolina area.

A Southern Season

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201 South Estes Dr (University Mall)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Directions

phone (919) 929-7133

Open daily from 10am - 7 pm; Fridays til 9pm


One of the top 25 retail stores in America according to “Retail Superstars: Inside the 25 Best Independent Stores in America, 2009 by George Whalin.  A Southern Season is a 59,000 square foot landmark gourmet marketplace hailed by The New York Times critic Craig Claiborne as “wall to wall and floor to ceiling, a visual and gustatory delight”. Culinary Lessons at A Southern Season (CLASS) brings top chefs, food writers and all-round gourmets from the U.S. and various countries to demonstrate their latest tools, techniques and tastes. For events, times and costs, call (877) 929-7133.

Ackland Museum Store

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100 E. Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Directions

(919) 962-0126

Mon-Sat, 10 am - 5 :30 pm; Thur, 10 am - 8:30 pm; Sun Noon - 5 pm

The Ackland Museum Store has a focused emphasis on merchandise that supports and reflects the Museum’s core mission to animate, inspire, and transform people’s lives with works of art.  The Store’s inventory includes home décor items such as pottery, glass, and metalwork; kitchen and tabletop items; jewelry and accessories; children’s toys and books; and stationery.  Books about art history and criticism, contemporary art and design, and culture and lifestyles are also available, as well as books by UNC and regional authors and artists’ monographs. 

A dedicated gallery space at the Ackland Museum Store features rotating exhibitions of original artworks in a variety of media by local and regional artists and artisans.  The premier exhibition features works by seven North Carolina artists who have a connection to Penland School of Crafts, whether as a teacher, student, or resident.  The show, entitled "Nothing is Impossible," features work by Margaret Couch Cogswell (book arts, multi-media), Celia Gray (encaustic paintings), Bryant Holsenbeck (environmental art), Ann Marie Kennedy (paper art, installation), Evan Lightner (furniture), Gretchen McLaren (metal), and Sylvie Rosenthal (woodwork, sculpture).

Animation & Fine Art Galleries

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201 South Estes Dr (University Mall)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Directions

phone (919) 968-8008

Open Tue-Sat, 10am-6pm.

Features only original artwork in all media by some of the world’s finest artists. From canvases by Pissarro and Warhol to works on paper by Dali and Miro, plus original cels and drawings from Disney and other animation studios.

Artery (The)

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201 S. Estes Drive (University Mall)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Directions

for information please email thestudentartery@gmail.com

Open Wed 1pm -6 pm; Thur-Sat, 5 pm-10 pm

The Artery is Chapel Hill’s student-run art gallery, primarily funded by Kappa Pi, the university’s art and art history honors society. Coming to the Old Hungate’s space in the Mall on a temporary basis. 

Artizan Gifts

200 N Greensboro St (Carr Mill Mall)
Carrboro, NC 27510

Directions

(919) 240-7062

Open Monday through Saturday, 10am-6pm

Artizan Gifts is all about unique, handmade, sustainable earthy friendly gifts. From hand crafted jewelry to art work, bamboo apparel and soy candles we have an eclectic mixture of gifts for those seeking something special.

Aveda Institute

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200 West Franklin St (Downtown)
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Directions

phone (919) 960-4769

Open Tues-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 8:30am-6pm

A comsetology and esthiology school that offers salon and spa services to the public.  Body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing and hair services.

Bead Store (The)

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200 N Greensboro St, Carr Mill Mall
Carrboro, NC 27510

Directions

(919) 933-9439

Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.

Full service bead store offers selection of beads and findings from all over the world. Make necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more. Also carry a variety of finished pieces for those who do not have time to create themselves.

Bloom

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708 Market St, Southern Village
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Directions

(919) 942-9880

Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm; Sun noon-5pm.

Unique home accent pieces, original artwork, garden accessories, live orchids, children’s toys, luxurious bath and body products, creative greeting cards.

Bookshop (The)

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400 West Franklin St (Downtown)
Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Directions

phone (919) 942-5178

Open Mon-Fri, 11am-9pm; Sat, 11am-6pm; Sun, 1-5pm; closed major holidays.

The Bookshop is a used and rare bookstore with an inventory of more than 80,000 books in 90 different categories, including history, humanities and popular fiction.

Callaway Jewelry & Spiral Studios

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115 North Churton St (Downtown)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 732-2013

Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 10am-4pm.

Every piece of original handmade jewelry begins with the finest quality sterling silver and gold, embellished with semi-precious stones, glass, and pearls.

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Did You Know?

Although it may be relatively small, Orange County offers first-class and specialty shopping that rivals many big cities for unique stores (such as at Meadowmont Village).