Suttons Drug Store

The Problem:

Sutton’s is an iconic piece of Chapel Hill history that has survived for over 100 years, but in an increasingly corporatized world, where Franklin Street’s legacy storefronts are closing year over year, its story was being taken for granted. For this project, we were tasked with highlighting a local business or organization that we believed had a story to tell.

The Truth:

Sutton’s represents something almost extinct in modern America: a truly non-corporate, sit-down diner where you still talk to your waiter and skip the "pay-on-a-tablet" culture. It’s a time capsule that transports you back to a simpler era. Its value isn't just in the food, though it is the best burger in town for my money, it’s in the fact that it’s a community sanctuary. It’s so beloved by Chapel Hill’s residents that they raised over $11,000 to save it from closing during the pandemic.

The Execution:

I selected Sutton’s for this project specifically to capture that rare "time-travel" feeling. I focused the narrative on the human element of the business: the family-owned legacy and the deep-rooted connection to the people of Chapel Hill.

By highlighting the community’s role in saving the drugstore, I was able to frame the story as one of mutual devotion, a connection that goes deeper than it appears on the surface. I’m incredibly proud of how this project turned out, as it allowed me to document a local treasure and showcase why independent, historical spaces are the true heart of a community.