138 W. Franklin Street

CAROLINA COFFEE SHOP

Opened in 1922, the Carolina Coffee Shop not only has a claim as the oldest restaurant in North Carolina, it is also the oldest continuously operating business in the state. The Carolina Coffee Shop space is believed to have once housed a student post office and, in 1914, the University Athletic Shop, featuring a soda fountain.

It opened as the Carolina Confectionary in 1922 and changed its name to Carolina Coffee Shop in 1928. It has enjoyed multiple owners – like Bryon Freeman – who for forty years, created his tradition of classical music wafting through the cozy, dark interior, and Greg Owens, who brought live music into his place. Currently, Carolina Coffee Shop is bright and busy, owned by a group of UNC graduates including Olympic soccer gold medalist Heather O’Reilly.

Another owner in the group, Jeff Hortman, writes,  

“For generations, Carolina Coffee Shop has been a meeting place for all things Carolina - casual and warm, morning, day and night.  None of us are veteran restaurateurs, but when we became aware that it was for sale and might not be about to continue on its nearly 100-year-legacy, we felt compelled to do our part to continue the tradition.  It’s a magical place because it is a part of the Carolina family.  What is good for legacy businesses on Franklin Street is good for Carolina.”

Herbert Lloyd and Junius D. Webb discovered an old sawpit dating back to 1813 when they built this brick building in 1900, replacing the row of wooden shops. In more recent memories were Varley’s Men Store, 1937 - 1990, The Little Shop, for ladies’ clothing, 1933-1997, and Julian’s, for 65 years in this location, 1942 - today (which moved across the street in 2007.)  

John Sprunt Hill bought this block of buildings in the 1920’s and donated it in parcels to UNC from 1947 - 1951 with the stipulation that rent monies fund the North Carolina Collection at the University’s library which is still in effect to this day.  The alley, the original Fraternity Row up until the late 1920’s, continues as the most used path to and from Franklin Street and campus - especially evident on a football Saturday or graduation day!