STORIES

LeRhonda Manigault-Bryant, an acclaimed scholar of Africana religious studies and filmmaker, joined Carolina in January as the fourth director of the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History. Manigault-Bryant was a faculty member in the department of...

In December 2022 Paula De Pano, the former beverage director at the Fearrington House and one of the South’s most prestigious sommeliers, opened a wine shop in Southern Village, Chapel Hill, Rocks + Acid. De Pano—who grew up in Manila in the Philippines and moved to...

Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe is an Indian restaurant on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Vimala Rajendran, an Indian immigrant to the United States, opened the restaurant in 2010. The restaurant purveys home-style Indian cuisine, and Southern food with local produce and...

Nomad is located on King Street in Hillsborough and offers a global dining experience unlike anything else in the area. B.J. Patel, co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Smita, and his brother, Sejal. “With its proximity to Chapel Hill, Durham, Carrboro we definitely...

Established in 2004, Talullas has become a favorite dining and late night destination among locals and visiting foodies alike with their unique Turkish Cuisine, perfectly situated on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Turkish cuisine is one of the world’s top cuisines,...

In the October 2022 edition of OUR STATE magazine, editors feature the delicious success of Chapel Hill native, Annette “Neecy” Council, daughter of the late Mildred Council, of Mama Dip’s Kitchen on Rosemary Street. In her own words: “I remember watching my mother...

Driving around Chapel Hill it’s impossible to miss the Carolina-blue building at the intersection of Franklin and Main Streets. It juts out like a small peninsula at the precise spot Chapel Hill and Carrboro meet. This is Carolina Car Wash. It’s a friendly place, one...

Al's Burger Shack is known for exceptional burgers, dogs, and shakes from the best local ingredients. That means North Carolina pasture-raised beef, custard and cheese from local dairies, and vegetables from local farms. At Al’s Burger Shack (located in downtown...

On a cool September morning, The Flying Biscuit restaurant at University Place is filled with dinners who want a hot biscuit, bacon and coffee. The southern-inspired restaurant known for its all-day breakfast menu made its Chapel Hill debut in 2022. “Bringing southern...

The closing of Merlion restaurant in Southern Village in 2015 reduced the number of Malaysian restaurants in the Triangle to zero. But just three months after Merlion was shuttered, Rasa Malaysia opened in the same space in Chapel Hill’s Southern Village. The place...

Since 2006, Kevin Zhu has owned and operated Red Lotus restaurant in Chapel Hill, near Whole Foods on Elliot Road. Zhu originally worked in kitchens while living in Shanghai, building the knowledge base that he would need later once his family moved to the States. His...

Mildred Council may have been known to the world by her childhood nickname, Dip (inspired by her long arms), but her reach has been so much longer. Mildred Council died in 2018 at age 89 and today her children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren still work at...

Locals and visitors love Breadmen’s Restaurant, which first opened its doors in 1974 by Roy Piscitello. The Piscitello family ran Breadmen’s until 2020 when they sold to long term employees the Castro Family. Omar Castro, his father Luz, mother, brother, grandfather,...

After a complete renovation in 2021, The Story venue is now available for events. The Story on West Franklin Street in Chapel Hill is ideal for wedding receptions, corporate events, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and more. The space is also perfect for university events — UNC...

MISSION & HISTORY EmPOWERment, Inc.’s mission is to empower individuals and communities to achieve their destiny through community organizing, affordable housing, and grass roots economic development. Chapel Hill is a vibrant community that is ever changing and...

Chieko Murasugi was born in Tokyo, raised in Toronto, and based in San Francisco for 20 years before moving to North Carolina in 2012. She has degrees in Experimental Psychology (BA McGill, Ph.D. York U) and Studio Art (BFA York U, MFA UNC-Chapel Hill). She has...

Mediterranean Deli provides authentic cuisines from the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Owner Jamil Kadoura emigrated from the Middle East to the United States and studied business management at the Minnesota School of Business. Afterwards he began working in the...

Establecer la imagen, gestion, operaciones y finanzas de la organizacion, para cumplir la mision de integrar a la comunidad Latina en la comunidad en general. El Centro Hispano works to strengthen the community, build bridges, and advocate for equity and inclusion...

Brother Peacemaker not only fixes vehicles in his tiny body shop on Main Street in Carrboro, he ministers to anyone needing a little touch-up of their own. He lives and works his faith, operating a business that’s as good for your soul as it is for your car. Born in...

IZA Whiskey & Eats was founded by Yung Nay “as part of a lifelong dream to bring fare to the community that could be enjoyed for any occasion.” Iza (pronounced EE-zah) Whiskey & Eats is located in Carrboro. Nay offers small plates of delicacies, such as...

Bull City Music School (BCMS) focuses instruction on being student centered. Their teachers plan instruction based on the student's method of learning and pace. BCMS believes students should showcase what they are learning. The students not only participate in...