Denizens of
Downtown Carrboro *Responses edited for length and clarity; photography submitted by residents
Cheryl Davis and Lane Davis Moved from Chapel Hill in 1982 Background living and working in Carrboro Our business was
McLean Building Company, and my husband, Lane, and I were partners with Scott McLean [for 35 years]. Our last office was the old Carrboro post office. Scott died in 2014; we retired as of last year.
town – I didn’t want to live in a subdivision. It was a different Carrboro then than it is now; much smaller and quieter, a little kookier. [The area’s best features then were] the attractions people still mention today: the walkability and the general vibe attracted us. Favorite thing about living here
I don’t drive much more than 3,000 miles a year. I established my office within walking distance The best part of living here of my house … I wanted a place We loved it from the beginning where I could [live] a medievalbecause it was affordable at that style life. I planned it that way … Cheryl Davis with her granddaughters Hannah Hastings, point, and we had a young family. and I’ve done everything I can to Zoe Atkins and Molly Hastings at the Carrboro Farmers Market, We have three children; they will maintain it. It’s a three-minute Cheryl’s favorite place to pick up groceries. all tell you we lived in Carrboro walk to work, and Weaver Street before it was cool. We live right in Market’s another five minutes downtown Carrboro – a wonderful draw because our kids could walk away. I take advantage of [the ability to walk around] a lot. I’m to school. It was very comfortable. It’s a very vibrant neighborhood. fortunate, but it’s taken a lot of planning to get there. It’s a pleasant There’s a big mix of young families and grad students, singles and young scale to live at. couples – and a lot of dogs, which we love. We walk out and we see I’m an architect; my job involves me with portions of the people we know everywhere. And it’s not so homogenous. community, and I do like that, whether it’s town staff, or I’m working on a project for Club Nova, as well as just having done work for a lot Local haunts We’ve always loved Brian Toomey, the bartender of my neighbors’ houses additions, etc. So I can walk and see a lot of at Acme. We’ve been friends with [Acme chef and owner] Kevin projects I’ve done in my hometown – and I do think of Carrboro as Callaghan, and we actually did that [build and remodel]. We used to my hometown at this point. [Also] it’s great that there’s a lot of green go to Acme every Friday night to have dinner at the bar. We probably around Carrboro, and there’s woods within walking distance. will do that again [after the pandemic]. Akai Hana, Pizzeria Mercato, Napoli, Glasshalfull –those are our continuing favorites. Scott Murray, Local haunts On Friday afternoons or for happy hour I certainly visit the manager at Mercato, is also a favorite. We dealt with [Fitch Lumber the Orange County Social Club or Bowbarr. and Hardware] forever, and Wilkinson Supply Co. was always our go-to. Southeastern Camera … has been wonderful over the years. Southern States is wonderful for all of our gardening and pet needs. Anne Glauber We shop in Carrboro as much as possible. Moved to East Poplar Street from Chapel Hill four years ago
Jack Haggerty Moved from rural Orange County in 1999, now lives on Fidelity Street Why downtown Carrboro [My family was] living in the country and
looking for a house to buy. I wanted to stay in the country or move to 42
chapelhillmagazine.com July/August 2021
Favorite thing about living here I love the [ability to walk or bike everywhere]. I work at UNC [Gillings] School of Public Health, and
I am a commuter on my bike – it takes me about 15 to 20 minutes to get to campus. I purposefully moved here because of the small feel of Carrboro, and the community feel is what really attracted me to it. The streets are open in a way that encourages people to mesh from