Back in mid-November, we shared on two major milestones in Eastgate's recovery: J. Crew Factory opening as the first new business since the July flooding, and Shake Shack's return with their entire pre-flood team. At the time, the shopping center was still in the thick of rebuilding, with many businesses working toward 2026 reopening dates.
Now, as we close out 2025, here's where things stand.
THE PROGRESS
Most of Eastgate's northern end is back in business. Walk through on a Saturday afternoon and you'll find the familiar rhythm: shoppers at Trader Joe's, families browsing Great Outdoor Provision Co., coffee lovers at Guglhupf. The "closed for repairs" signs that dominated the landscape for months are mostly gone.
Rose Nails reopened in October, bringing back a neighborhood staple that's been serving Chapel Hill for years. The nail salon's return marked one of the early victories in the recovery timeline—proof that even smaller businesses could navigate the insurance battles and rebuild logistics to come back.
Club Pilates reopened November 17, just in time for the holiday season. The fitness studio's return adds another piece to Eastgate's wellness corridor, joining the roster of businesses helping residents stay active through the winter months. For members who'd been driving to other Triangle locations or putting their fitness routines on hold, it was a welcome homecoming.
But getting here wasn't just about repairs. Several businesses used the rebuilding process to prepare for future floods—because when you're built on top of Booker Creek, that's not an "if" but a "when."
Great Outdoor Provision Co. reopened in late October after facing nearly $1 million in losses without flood insurance coverage. Co-owner Chuck Millsaps called the rebuild "the fun part." The Chapel Hill location holds special significance for the company—they first opened in Carrboro back in 1972, making them a 50+ year fixture in this community.
Rather than simply restore what was lost, they upgraded. Those creaky wooden floors that generations of outdoor enthusiasts had walked across? Replaced with concrete that'll be far easier to clean and maintain when the next flood comes. Electrical outlets and equipment were moved higher. The store was rebuilt with five feet of standing water in mind.
Olmaz Jewelers, which we mentioned was operating from a temporary location in University Place, also made strategic improvements. They installed metal cabinets and furniture designed to better withstand flooding. When you're a family-owned business rebuilding from the ground up, you think about these things.
Currently operating at Eastgate: Trader Joe's, Guglhupf, Chopt, Chipotle, Winestore, Olmaz Jewelers, Great Outdoor Provision Co., McPherson Cleaners, Waxing the City, Rose Nails, Club Pilates, T-Mobile—plus the new arrivals, J. Crew Factory and Shake Shack.
STILL WAITING
The timeline we reported in November is holding mostly steady:
Aldi is still targeting January 2026
Bruegger's Bagels and Jersey Mike's are expected in early 2026
Clean Juice should reopen in late January 2026—just in time for New Year's resolutions. Their juice equipment and refrigeration systems have been replaced
CorePower Yoga announced in October that they're slated to reopen at the end of January with a fully updated studio. The yoga studio was completely gutted after the flooding—all drywall, insulation, and carpet removed
Elements Massage should return by February
Kipos Greek Taverna and The Loop are working toward late 2025/early 2026 (which means any day now for Kipos)
Twisted Noodles, the Thai restaurant, is working on permits and rebuilding with a spring 2026 target. Owner Phon Punsak, who's the second generation running the family business, faced five feet of water—the entire staff has been out of work for months
Petco is aiming for spring 2026
Restore Hyper Wellness is targeting spring 2026. Owner Meri Clark lost all equipment, inventory, and electrical panels but was able to keep her team employed at her Durham and Raleigh locations while rebuilding. Be on the lookout for their reopening
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Eastgate sustained an estimated $11 million in damages from Tropical Storm Chantal's eight inches of rain on July 6. Property management company Kite Realty brought in stormwater engineers after the flooding, but the fundamental challenge remains: this shopping center was built in 1958 on top of Booker Creek, long before modern flood prevention ordinances existed.
What businesses can control, they're controlling. Great Outdoor Provision's concrete floors. Olmaz's metal furniture. These aren't just repairs—they're preparations.
The real story here continues to be about the business owners who refused to walk away. Chuck Millsaps and his team could have walked away from nearly $1 million in losses. Instead, they saw it as an opportunity to build something better for the next 50 years.
That's the spirit that's bringing Eastgate back.