Your guide to unique retailers in downtown Pittsboro and Siler City, NC
By Anna-Rhesa Versola | Photography by John Michael Simpson
Opting for local goods and services is more than making a purchase – it’s an investment in Chatham; on average, two-thirds of every dollar spent at a local business stays in the community. We spoke to some of our readers’ favorite downtown retailers and galleries to find out what keeps their customers coming back time after time.
DEEP RIVER MERCANTILE
A customer’s shopping experience is the priority for owner Hannah Brown, who considers every detail for merchandising, marketing and design. The space includes cabinetry design services, home goods and gifts, and will soon expand to offer custom furnishings and decor at a sister shop, Deep River Home. “We take the retail experience very seriously,” Hannah says. “Every element is important.”
She says the best-selling items are scented candles and Woodford Reserve’s bourbon cherries. “We’ve become known for both,” Hannah says. “No candle comes into our shop without us first burning it to make sure it is clean burning and that the scent stays true when it is burning. The bourbon cherries were an addition that my husband pushed a few years ago and they quickly became a best-selling item. They are simply delicious cherries in a jar of Woodford Reserve bourbon and are that ‘over the top’ touch for your Old-Fashioned.”
It’s no surprise that Saturdays are the busiest days at Deep River, so Hannah says customers who want to discuss design projects should schedule an appointment during the week.
SCREAMING FOR VINTAGE
“I just think we’re a good time,” says Mary Piraino, co-owner of Screaming for Vintage. “Our prices are fair, there is always great music and good conversation. Some customers tell me it can [feel] like time traveling when they visit. We try to curate unique items – beautiful, weird, interesting designs, etc. and we get new pieces in all the time. We’re always looking to buy vintage, too, and that’s fun for us to do while we’re up at the shop.”
Best-selling items at SFV include mid-century modern furniture, vintage clothes and vinyl records, followed by art and books. Regular store hours are Thursdays-Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays noon-4 p.m, but customers can also call to make an appointment on days the shop is closed.
PERIWINKLE ON CHATHAM
Customers can peruse a variety of women’s clothing and accessories in a wide range of sizes and price points at this colorful Siler City boutique. The original hardwood floors and interior stairs lead down to a sister shop, Chatham Ave Mercantile, where shoppers will find a variety of upcycled handmade items, name-brand accessories and great gift ideas. The historic setting also offers original pottery and works by local artists along with handmade soaps and lotions perfect for gifting.
“It has been many years since Siler City has had a boutique clothing store,” says Shelly Joyce, a Periwinkle co-owner. “Living in a small town often limits shopping options for clothing, accessories and gifts. Our customers enjoy having these options so close to home.”
FRENCH CONNECTIONS
Wendy Dufour, who owns this vibrant boutique with her husband, Jacques Dufour, says their top sellers are fabric, French table linen, African baskets and yard art. Their busiest shopping day is Saturdays. Wendy and Jacques are known for importing a mix of products like nothing else in the area. The Dufours have built a trusted network with small enterprises and artisans in countries like Senegal, South Africa, Mexico and France. “People appreciate the connection we have to the people and places we buy from,” Wendy says. The newly-opened addition to the historic Thompson House provides a beautiful, well-lit space for browsing the shop’s vivid textiles. “[You can] truly appreciate our French fabrics and linens,” she says.
JG McLAURIN GOLDSMITH
Jenny Garrett McLaurin is a Pittsboro native who adds a layer of elegance to the downtown shopping experience through her bespoke jewelry services. “These days I am only doing custom-designed commissions,” she says. “Mostly a lot of rings, but pendants and necklaces are a close second, followed by earrings and bracelets.”
Jenny works with clients by appointment only. “This way, they have my undivided attention and we can design the perfect piece of jewelry together,” she says. “I like to think that my clients keep coming back to me over and over because I take my time and try to listen to exactly what they are asking me to build. I always factor in wearability regardless of the ‘dazzling-ness’ of the design. I want my clients to feel like they are missing something if they aren’t wearing their custom-designed, one-of-a-kind piece made just for them.”
FRAGMENTS
Linda Person inspired a group of friends to start a six-week pop-up shop, and over the past four years that idea has transformed into a shopping cooperative that has grown to include a second storefront in downtown Siler City. Linda says the range of repurposed home products share a common focus: quality at an affordable price. “We provide a friendly and comfortable place to shop. Our regulars say it feels like a home, and regularly bring visiting friends and relatives to meet us.”
Fragments is open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shop also offers appointment-only shopping sessions for other days of the week.
