Margot C. Lester, columnist
The Bead Store opened its doors last week, rising from the ashes of the Original Ornament, which closed unexpectedly in August. Former manager Evan Smith has returned to run the store and has rehired some past employees. Eager to have an open store for the holiday season, Carr Mill Mall manager Nathan Milian introduced Smith to David Fernandez, a local investor in arts-related ventures.
“What the store needed was a clean slate,†Evans says. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.†Smith will continue to operate the store as a place people can “hang out, create and bounce ideas off each other.†Customers like Carrboro’s Laurie Norman were thrilled.
“Mr. Fernandez has done a really good thing by helping this place open again and giving Evan and her staff an opportunity to share their passion about beads,†Norman says. “It’s so cool to have a store that cares as much about a 10-year-old’s birthday beading party as they do a bride’s coming in to have a custom necklace made for her wedding portrait.â€
The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; till 8p.m. Thursday; and 12 to 5p.m. Sunday.
Back in the saddle again
Serial retailer Gerrie Nunn is at it again. Over the last three decades, Nunn has owned or managed some of the area’s most notable local shops, beginning with Grey House Boutique (women’s apparel), Adam & Eve (“when it was clothes and accessories,†Nunn interjects), Hackney’s (the first store in the southeast to carry Nikes) and now Gerrie & Co. The jewelry, art and gift store occupies the former Minata space at University Mall and is a true family affair. Daughters Katherine Nunn and Eliza Liptzin DuBose work with their mother and son Brian serves as CFO. Though it’s a tough time to open a retail establishment, Nunn is philosophical.
“The hardest lesson to learn in retail is how to keep going in down times,†says the vibrant Nunn. “You just can’t get upset about it, because you might have somebody come in tomorrow who wants to buy. So we’re going for it. It’s what I know best.â€
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tighten up
Sales of men’s underwear are hiking up, perhaps portending some elasticity in the recession, according to Marshal Cohen, senior analyst with the consumer research firm NPD Group.
“You can go for just so long with the elastic having been blown out of your underwear,†Cohen told Jason Margolis of the PRI/BBC show, The World, last week. Cohen claims drawers are an interesting U.S. economic indicator because Americans tend to replace essential items like foundation garments first when they have a little extra dough lying around. If you need some spiffy new skivvies, check out our list of local panty purveyors in the archives at bit.ly/1G0LoT.
Heard it through the grapevine
In other local business news: It was only a matter of time before there was an app for this: Adam & Eve, the Hillsborough-based erotic goodie powerhouse, announced its first two iPhone apps: “Adam & Eve’s Bree Olson†and “Adam & Eve’s Kayden Kross.†The products go for $2 each and include images, biographical information and updates on the stars’ activities.… Two Carrboro businesses recently went dark. The Q Shack, which opened in February, closed earlier this month. There was no word at press time about what will replace the eatery, which served Western-style beef and pork barbecue. Just across the way, at 211 E. Main St., Scooters Inc. ceased operation after two-and-half years in business. Sales and service will continue to be provided through Combustion Cycles at 911-C E. Trinity Ave. in Durham (combustioncycles.com).… The Orange County Human Relations Committee seeks nominations for the annual Pauli Murray Award for Business. Each year, the competition recognizes an Orange County-based business for its support of equality, social justice and human rights. Previous winners include the owners of Balloons & Tunes, Fleet Feet and Cliff’s Meat Market. Details are available at co.orange.nc.us/hrr/pmurray.asp. Deadline for submitting nominations is Jan. 15.… Chapel Hill biotech company Cempra Pharmaceuticals Inc. presented at the Lazard Capital Markets sixth annual Healthcare Conference Tuesday in New York. President and CEO Prabhavathi Fernandes gave an overview of the company’s antibiotic clinical programs for treating drug-resistant pathogens. The event brought together thought leaders and pioneers in the health care sector, including the investment house’s own research analysts and U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle.… Prudential York Simpson Underwood Realty expanded its Meadowmont sales office. Associates from the company’s Franklin Street office will move into the new space. “Our Chapel Hill sales associates have consistently exceeded the expectations of buyers and sellers in the Chapel Hill community, and we’re confident the new expanded Meadowmont office space will help them serve clients’ real estate needs now and in the future,†said Smedes York, chairman of Prudential York Simpson Underwood Realty, in a news release announcing the deal.
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