THE CHAPEL HILL INSIDER
FROM THE INSIDE…
Inside This Issue: This week, we're bringing you an update on Eastgate Shopping Center's recovery, sharing some local news worth knowing, and giving you a guide to events through the end of the year. And we're taking a brief hiatus for the holidays—but we'll be back strong in January with more stories about the people and places that make this community home.
LET’S STEP INSIDE →
Feature Story
Eastgate Update: Recovery Continues Five Months After Chantal
Five months after Chantal, most of Eastgate is operational—and the January reopenings will bring the New Year's resolution crowd everything they need.
Back in mid-November, we reported on two major milestones in Eastgate's recovery: the opening of J. Crew Factory as the first new business since the July flooding, and the return of Shake Shack with its entire pre-flood team. At the time, the shopping center was still in the midst of rebuilding, with many businesses working toward reopening dates in 2026.
Now, as we close out 2025, here's where things stand
Community Spotlight
GRATITUDE & LOOKING AHEAD
This newsletter started as a simple idea: celebrate the people, places, and moments that make Chapel Hill special. Throughout 2025, we've introduced you to local business owners, highlighted community events, and chronicled both the joys and challenges of life in this town.
We've featured everyone from wellness coaches and financial advisors to local business owners rebuilding after a historic flood. We've told you about Toastmasters celebrating 15 years, trivia contests with Ed King's cartoon map, and the resilience of a shopping center that refused to stay down.
Next year, we will make it even easier to engage with us and let us know about the small businesses, nonprofits, and events we all need to know about, as well as opportunities to build that sense of community that so many of us care about preserving.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for opening these emails, clicking the links, showing up to events, and supporting the local businesses we feature. Your engagement makes this newsletter meaningful.
HOLIDAY HANGOUTS
Looking for somewhere festive to eat, drink, or gather with friends over the holidays? Here are five spots worth checking out:
Jujube is fully decked out for the season—locals on Reddit are calling it one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in the area. The Asian fusion restaurant has apparently gone all-in with holiday decor, creating a cozy, festive atmosphere perfect for a special meal or celebration.
Growler Grlz just opened in Southern Village, bringing Chapel Hill its newest neighborhood taproom. With 42 rotating taps of craft beer (they swap out kegs constantly, so you'll find something new every visit), plus wine, THC beverages, and non-alcoholic options, it's a laid-back spot to gather. They don't serve food, but you're welcome to bring in takeout from surrounding restaurants. Weekly events include Tuesday trivia, Thursday music bingo, and Friday tap takeovers where you can chat with brewery partners about their beers.
Tonya's Café remains a Chapel Hill brunch favorite for good reason. If you're hosting out-of-town guests or just want a solid breakfast or lunch reminiscent of Mama Dip’s greatness and glory to close out your holiday shopping, this is a reliable choice.
The Speakeasy in Carrboro keeps the entertainment going through the holidays with karaoke on Mondays and Thursdays, plus their Tuesday night Carrboro Open Mic. It's the kind of low-key spot where you can grab a drink and either watch or participate—no pressure either way.
Steel String Brewery in Carrboro hosts an open mic every Monday from 7-9 pm, and they're running a holiday fundraiser for the Refugee Community Partnership through December 24. Stop by for Tuesday trivia, their regular beer selection, or just to hang out by the bonfire on select nights.
Upcoming Events
EVENTS THIS WEEK
EVENTS: DECEMBER 18-31
Thursday, December 18
Grace Church Candlelight Service, 200 Sage Rd., Chapel Hill, 6:30 PM - Food trucks on site.
Friday, December 19
Sundaes with Santa, Maple View Ice Cream, 6900 Rocky Ridge Rd., Hillsborough, 3-7 PM - Visit with Santa and enjoy seasonal flavors while supporting a diaper drive for Sam's Wish Fund at Kids Path of AuthoraCare.
Longest Night Service, United Church of Chapel Hill, 7 PM - A contemplative service for those finding the holidays difficult.
Saturday, December 21
Solstice Lantern Walk & Market, Hillsborough Farmers Market Pavilion, 144 E. Margaret Ln. - Shop work by local artists, enjoy live music and warm food, then follow a lantern procession along the River Walk after sundown.
Holiday Hootenanny, Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, 6 PM - He is Legend performs their album "I am Hollywood" in its entirety with Glass Casket, Classic Case, Codeseven, and Idea of Beauty. $35.
Merry-Ish: Holiday Sketch Show, Mettlesome Theater, Durham, 7 PM - Holiday sketch comedy spectacular featuring Mettlesome's ensemble. $10.
Grace Church Candlelight Services, 200 Sage Rd., Chapel Hill, 8 AM, 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM
Tuesday, December 23
Grace Church Candlelight Service, 200 Sage Rd., Chapel Hill, 7 PM
Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Grace Church Candlelight Services, 200 Sage Rd., Chapel Hill, 3 PM & 5 PM
All Grace Church services are livestreamed at youtube.com/@gracechurchofch
Thursday, December 26
Hush Hush Improv Comedy, Mettlesome Theater, Durham, 9 PM - Special comedy show full of deep laughs and true revelations. $7 at the door.
Tuesday, December 31 (New Year's Eve)
Lantern, Chapel Hill - 3-course dinner featuring Main Lobster dumplings, moulard duck, NC Oysters. $75.
Osteria Georgi, Carrboro, 5-9:30 PM - New Year's Eve dinner specials.
Market & Moss, Chapel Hill - Four-course wine dinner. $138 with wine, $98 without.
Cosmic Charlie, Cat's Cradle, Carrboro - Grateful Dead tribute with champagne toast at midnight.
ONGOING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
A Christmas Carol, DPAC, Durham - Through December 22. Ira David Wood III's beloved musical comedy adaptation celebrating over 50 years. dpacnc.com
A Christmas Carol, Center Theater Company, 300-G East Main Street, Carrboro - Through December 21. Jock Brocki as Scrooge, performed in the round. centertheatercompany.com
Comedy Shows, DSI Comedy Theater, 462 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill - Multiple improv and stand-up shows each weekend. Check website for full schedule. dsicomedytheater.com
Improv & Sketch Shows, Mettlesome Theater, 800 Taylor St., Durham - Weekly shows including Golden Age holiday improv. Check calendar for schedule. thisismettlesome.com
Holiday Art Show, FRANK Gallery, 370 E. Main Street, Suite 130, Carrboro - Through December 29. Artwork in various media from local and regional artists at all price points. Tue-Wed 11-5 PM, Thu-Sat 11-7 PM, Sun 12-4 PM. frankisart.com
Honeycutt Christmas Tree Lot, Southern Village - Daily through December 24.
Winter Wonderland with Goats, Spring Haven Farm, 5306 Homer Ruffin Rd., Chapel Hill - Through December 31, Wed-Sun 10 AM-5 PM. Hunt for your Christmas tree, ride the Polar Express tractor train, visit Santa's Workshop. $14.95, kids 3 and under free.
Homes for the Holidays Gingerbread Display, Downtown Hillsborough - Through January 5. Gingerbread scenes in local shop windows with the theme "Candy."
NC Chinese Lantern Festival, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary - Through January 11. 40+ new displays mark the 10th anniversary. boothamphitheatre.com
Community Update
FROM AROUND TOWN
Photo credit: Ava Sharon
CHCCS Enrollment Declines
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Rodney Trice shared sobering news with staff and families this week: student enrollment has been declining since the 2019-20 school year, particularly in early grades like kindergarten, first, and second. Birth rates are dropping in the district, more students are choosing charter schools, private schools, or homeschool, and nearly all CHCCS schools are projected to be underenrolled over the next 5-10 years. The decline will bring a systemic shift in the district's financial foundation, driven by sustained reductions in state funding. Trice framed it not as a crisis but as a crossroads: "We will get ahead of it by working together to become a smaller, stronger and more innovative CHCCS."
Orange County Welcomes Manufacturing
The Orange County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with CITEL to bring American manufacturing operations to Hillsborough. The telecommunications equipment manufacturer is relocating its production facilities to the area, bringing new jobs and economic development to the region. It's part of a broader trend of manufacturing returning to North Carolina.
Chantal's Lasting Impact
Five months after the flooding, not every family has recovered. The Alston family, who owned their Chapel Hill home for more than 35 years, has been moving between hotels every few days to find affordable rooms. Habitat for Humanity determined their flood damage was beyond repair and offered to build a new home, but at 75 years old, Elonnie Alston felt signing a 30-year mortgage wasn't sustainable. The family has started a GoFundMe to help with hotel expenses and home repairs as they face another holiday away from home. It's a reminder that recovery from disaster happens on different timelines for different people.
Governor Stein Reverses Medicaid Cuts
Governor Josh Stein reversed his earlier decision to reduce Medicaid reimbursement rates, preserving access to care for vulnerable patients across North Carolina. Healthcare providers had raised concerns that the cuts would impact their ability to serve Medicaid patients. The reversal maintains current rates for now, though the state continues working on longer-term Medicaid funding solutions.
Chapel Hill Insider is your weekly guide to the people, places, and stories that make our community special. Know someone we should feature? Have a story tip? Reply to this email.
A Final Note
Looking ahead to 2026:
We're taking a brief hiatus through the holidays, but we'll be back in January with more stories about the people who make Chapel Hill home. We have new business spotlights lined up, community events to share, and plenty of local news to keep you informed.
If you have a story idea, know a local business we should feature, or just want to say hello, email us at [email protected].
Happy Holidays from us at the Chapel Hill Insider!
Chapel Hill Cartoon Map
Big news: Ed King's beloved hand-drawn Chapel Hill Cartoon Map is now available digitally! In partnership with the original artist, we've brought this charming map—capturing every quirky corner and beloved business in our town—into the digital age.
Click to view the map online!
Until next time,
Be in the know!