A half-hour drive from Chapel Hill, downtown Pittsboro is home to a thriving small business community. An indie bookseller, bakeries and breweries, and colorful shops dot the red-brick walkways and buildings, and — for those willing to drive — hidden gems in the form of big cats, co-op spaces, and resplendent tea services await nearby. Read on for how to spend a day exploring and playing in this charming Piedmont hideaway.
Pick up a cinnamon roll or oversized cookie from Willy’s Cinnamon Rolls Etc. and enjoy it at the colorful seating outside. Photography courtesy of Pittsboro-Siler City CVB
Enjoy a sweet start to your day at this family-owned bakery. Named for matriarch Willmeta “Willy” Miriam Sprague Jacomet, the children and grandchildren of the bakeshop’s namesake run the show alongside a staff of individuals living with autism or former military personnel living in challenging situations. As the name suggests, the cinnamon rolls are the most popular item, and they’re prepared using Willy’s recipe. Even better, you can get a mini pan to-go for a take-and-bake treat for later.
35 W. Chatham Street
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(252) 305-9227
willysrolls.com
Take a seat outside and savor your sundae or egg cream from S&T’s Soda Shoppe while you watch downtown life pass by. Photography courtesy of Pittsboro-Siler City CVB
When lunchtime stomach rumbles strike, there’s an obvious choice for lunch: Hillsboro Street’s old-school ice cream counter and soda fountain. From the stainless steel milkshake cups and sundae dishes stacked in the wooden china cabinet to the wrought-iron chairs at the bistro tables, the space is imbued with the charm of the soda shops of yesteryear. But you’re not just here for the ambience — order the pimento cheese burger with a fresh-squeezed orangeade and save room for a scoop of hand-dipped ice cream.
85 Hillsboro Street
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 545-0007
sandtssodashoppe.com
With ample outdoor seating and a spacious interior, Havoc Brewing Company calls itself “Pittsboro’s front porch.” Photography courtesy of Pittsboro-Siler City CVB
Pair a pint of Hey Bonnie! brown ale with a seat on the red-brick patio for a pretty good way to greet golden hour. Settle in at Havoc’s flagship location in downtown Pittsboro and enjoy nightly live music with a selection of 12 beers on tap. Can’t decide what to try? Opt for a flight and sample their assortment of seasonal and European-style brews.
39 West Street
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 726-2088
havocbrewing.com
Choose blackened grilled red snapper or breaded and fried oysters at Postal Fish Company. Photography courtesy of Pittsboro-Siler City CVB
Housed within the old Pittsboro post office building, this spot is an elevated ode to classic fish camps. The seafood is sourced regionally from North and South Carolina, as well as Virginia, and the selection changes each day depending on what’s fresh. You can belly up to the oyster bar and watch the kitchen team prepare plates of wood-grilled fish or take a seat beside the floor-to-ceiling windows for a relaxed meal of hush puppies, North Carolina grouper, and homemade dessert.
75 W. Salisbury Street
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 704-8612
postalfishcompany.com
In Cafe Root Cellar, owner Chef Sera Cuni prepares meals for her nonprofit, Feed-Well Fridges, which offers freshly prepared meals to help combat food insecurity in Chatham County. photograph by Anna Routh Barzin
Fresh, seasonal ingredients star in Chef Sera Cuni’s colorful plates of Southern-inspired fare. The eye-catching presentations and curated selection of wine and cocktails are offset by a decidedly casual atmosphere. String lights illuminate the spacious dining room and garage doors open to an outdoor patio. Head there for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch, order at the counter, and share a meal with friends in the fresh air.
35 Suttles Road
Penguin Place in Chatham Park
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-1062
caferootcellar.com
You don’t need to be tending acres of land or managing an entire herd to stop at Pittsboro Feed. This family-owned feed store carries ornamental plants, tools, bird feeders, and seed, plus it also has a full-service pet supply store just across the street, Pittsboro Pet Supply. Pro-tip: Visit on a Saturday for owner Christine Miller’s famous home-baked cookies, offered in a basket near the entrance.
1103 East Street
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-2454
Discover treasures from the past at this antique shop with home furnishings and vintage accessories. Inside the yellow shiplap building, you can browse china, jewelry, glassware, furniture, and much more in a space that’s shared by vendors and individual antique pickers.
136 Fayetteville Street
(919) 200-2176
facebook.com/reclamationhomefurnishings
Shop artisanal fabrics, woven baskets, and antiques at French Connections. photograph by Alex Boerner
Pulling inspiration and design from France and African nations that were influenced by French colonization, this shop specializes in fine fabrics and decorative textiles. Step into the red-roof space for a kaleidoscopic shopping experience among the bolts of vibrant fabric, woven baskets, hand-stitched home decor and accessories, and decorative baskets that fill the shop from floor to ceiling.
178 Hillsboro Street
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 545-9296
french-nc.com
Spend a moment (or longer) browsing the early-edition titles at Circle City Books & Music. Photography courtesy of Pittsboro-Siler City CVB
Look for the Hillsboro Street storefront with the mural of book spines boasting North Carolina-inspired titles — that’s the first sign that you’re in the right place. Circle City Books & Music sells used books, CDs, and vinyl records, and if you’re lucky, you might even find a signed copy. Stories and sounds run the gamut from literary classics to children’s stories and retro sci-fi to thrillers.
121 Hillsboro Street
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 545-9296
facebook.com/circlescitybooksandmusic
Saber is the resident white tiger at Carolina Tiger Rescue. Photography courtesy of Carolina Tiger Rescue
Tigers, a cougar, serval, and other exotic creatures reside in this 67-acre sanctuary. The majority of the animal residents at Carolina Tiger Rescue were rescued from other sanctuaries, traveling circuses, roadside zoos, or from owners who surrendered them. Here among the grassy Piedmont surroundings, these big cats and wild creatures are free to roam, romp, and chuff under the stewardship of passionate staff and volunteers who work to educate the public about how to better support these wild animals. Tours are available by appointment only; click here to learn more.
1940 Hanks Chapel Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-4684
carolinatigerrescue.org
A sweet feast of seasonal tea cakes and treats are the star of high tea at Fearrington House. Photography courtesy of The Fearrington House Restaurant
Pick your brew — green, herbal, oolong, or black tea — and settle into the plush armchair at a window-side table for the afternoon. Fearrington House hosts an elegant tea service on Thursday through Sunday afternoons, available by reservation only. As your tea steeps, a tower of scones with jam and cream, sweet cakes, and savory finger sandwiches appears on the table. After the last sip, continue the leisurely afternoon with a stroll around Fearrington’s manicured grounds and a stop by the pasture with belted goats and Galloway cows.
2000 Fearrington Village Center
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 542-2121
fearrington.com
Grab a craft brew, practice your axe-throwing skills, wander through an art gallery, and take home a new plant for your collection all under one roof. Dubbed an “eco-industrial park,” this co-op commercial space is shared by local small businesses, including shops, restaurants, coffee roasters, breweries, an art gallery, and plant nursery. Start the day with a coffee from Vortex Roasters and work your way to Hempsmith Clothing or, if it’s Thursday, the Pittsboro Farmers Market. Or come later in the day — sample mead from Starrlight Mead or a cocktail at Fair Game Beverage Co. and stay for evening happenings that range from live music and improv theater to craft workshops.
220 Lorax Lane
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 444-9300
theplantnc.com
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