FedEx Kinkos
Long before Franklin Street became what it is today, it served as a town hub for Chapel Hill’s residents, where they filled their tanks, grabbed a bite, and caught up with neighbors! This complex in particular, now home to familiar names like FedEx Office, He’s Not Here, and until recently Blue’s on Franklin, has mirrored nearly a century of change.
The complex was built around 1934, when building a gas station in the heart of town made perfect sense. In 1936, the main business in this location was the Pure Oil Service Station, owned by Ben Strowd.1
In 1945, A.H. Poe purchased the Pure Oil Service Station and renamed it the Poe-Motor Company. He also moved his Desoto dealership to this location. The “Pure” sign remained in front of the complex, and was notable as a landmark at this location.
Poe-Mangum ad in the Chapel Hill Weekly, July 1946
Poe Motor Company ad in the Chapel Hill Weekly, June 1951
Poe Motor Company ad in the Chapel Hill Weekly in September 1953
The property was sold again in 1956 and 1963, but remained as a motor company business. A few years after that, it became the Gardner Motor Company.2
He’s Not Here opened at the back of the complex (112 1/2 W Franklin St) in November 1972. Originally called He’s Not Here at the Village Green, there used to be a grassy courtyard at the bar. He’s Not Here boasts as a location of many memories, and its name has many stories behind it as well. One story says that “he’s not here” was such a common response that bartenders gave in response to callers asking about famous UNC athletes, and wives and girlfriends calling the bar in distrust of their partners.3 Thus, it became the name of the bar.
He’s Not Here is a place where many people have met their future spouses, and has even been the site for wedding proposals! Many students at the University have also celebrated their 21st birthdays at He’s Not Here. Legend has it that the top floor of He’s Not Here was once a topless bar. He’s Not Here has always been frequented by athletes and was once visited by Ed Sheeran.
For more about He’s Not Here:
In 1978, the main business at the front of this complex was Pizza Hut. At this point, the complex was divided into multiple storefronts. Around this time, businesses that were located here included Wedge & Racket, 10,000 Frames, Quik Food Mart, Three Wishes, and Becker’s Electronics. Later, Moe’s and Caribou Coffee also occupied the space.
Today, the complex has a unique, memorable purple roof that is easily recognizable to the Chapel Hill community. Blue’s on Franklin Smokehouse & Bar was owned and operated by three generations of Tar Heels. Its lease is ending, so Blue’s is transitioning solely to catering.4 It is unconfirmed what business will take the place of this location in the future.
Regarding the impending closure of Blue’s: https://bluesonfranklin.com
Notes
1 “112 W. Franklin St.,” Open Orange, accessed February 27, 2025, https://openorangenc.org/buildings/112-w-franklin-st
2 “Occupants and structures of Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina at 5-year intervals, 1793-1998” Internet Archive, accessed March 4, 2025, https://archive.org/stream/occupantsstructu00brya/occupantsstructu00brya_djvu.txt
3 “He’s Not Here, the Legend”, He’s Not Here, accessed April 1, 2025, https://hesnotherenc.com/the-legend/
4 “Story,” Blue’s On Franklin, accessed March 23, 2025, https://bluesonfranklin.com/story
Resources
Blue’s Grille. “Owned & Operated by 3 Generations of Tar Heels.” Accessed March 23, 2025. https://bluesonfranklin.com/story.
Bryant, Bernard Lee. Occupants and Structures of Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina at 5-Year Intervals, 1793-1998. [Chapel Hill, N.C.?: Chapel Hill Historical Society], 1999.
He’s Not Here. “He’s Not Here, the Legend.” Accessed April 1, 2025. https://hesnotherenc.com/the-legend/.
Open Orange. “112 W. FRANKLIN ST. | Open Orange.” Accessed February 27, 2025. https://openorangenc.org/buildings/112-w-franklin-st.
Orange County North Carolina. “112 W FRANKLIN ST.” Accessed April 2, 2025. https://property.spatialest.com/nc/orange/#/property/9788371226.