Gone are the days of beloved Chapel Hill staples like The Rathskeller, Schoolkids Records, Bub O’Malley’s, Pepper’s, Spanky’s, The Library, and many others that served generations of North Carolina students along Franklin Street. Their absence a reminder that nothing lasts forever — even in one of the nation’s best college towns.
As parking shortages, shifting lifestyles among college students, and rising rent costs have pushed small businesses off Franklin Street, an increasing — and potentially worrisome —number of chain franchises have taken their place since the start of the decade.
It’s been a topic of discussion among alumni and longtime visitors for years — and one that recently struck a chord with two former Tar Heels from one of the Carolina basketball’s greatest eras…