Fowler's Grocery

Originally opened on E. Franklin Street in the 1920s, Fowler's Grocery was a mainstay, locally-owned Chapel Hill institution at 306 W. Franklin St. Fowler's was an old-school, family-run store that served thousands of students and locals for generations. Being so close to campus, Fowler's was the go-to place for student "necessities", and was also home to their gigantic walk-in beer cooler, known to everyone as "Big Bertha". In 1991, Fowler's closed for good after 58 years on Franklin Street, citing changing times and stiff competition that has largely put an end to small-town grocers all over the country.