Chapelboro’s “Mind Your Business” series summarizes some of the latest stories, announcements, and updates from businesses in the community every three months. From local openings to closings to everything in-between, we are sharing a snapshot of what’s happened in the most recent quarter of the calendar year.
The report will roughly go in chronological order of the developments, and will conclude with a section of any general updates on ongoing projects that are undated. The previous edition, covering October through December 2025, can be found here.
Do you see something that is missing or want to share an update about your own business? Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] with your announcements!
JANUARY
• One of the first businesses to close in 2026 came over in Carrboro, as Grata Diner wound down its operations in December and formally closed on Jan. 4. The brainchild of Jay Radford operated in Carr Mill Mall for a little more than four years, offering patrons upscale, locally-sourced breakfast and diner fare. In a message to the eatery’s email list, Radford said he was closing the diner to focus more on Grata Connects, his nonprofit focused on helping connect vulnerable community members to the necessary resources for long-term stability. Initially called Grata Cafe, the business took over the space occupied by Elmo’s Diner for 19 years before the beloved restaurant closed during the COVID-19 pandemic…