Top 5 Picks for Experiential Retail in Durham

1. Parker and Otis

112 South Duke St

There is only one place in Durham where you can get a latte, lunch, and the perfect birthday gift all at once, and that is Parker & Otis. Parker & Otis is a unique combination of restaurant and gift shop. Located in historic Downtown Durham, they are open seven days a week, serving breakfast and lunch with an amazing array of gifts, gourmet foods, cheese, wine and candy. Their menu is created with many locally sourced ingredients and coffee from Durham’s very own, Counter Culture. Aside from ingredients grown and handpicked in the Triangle, they also have other goods from all over NC. From Winston to Wilmington, Parker & Otis carries all sorts of baked goods and other non perishables in their shop.

Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, making a gift basket for a friend going through a hard time, or just want a new coffee spot to hang with your friends, Parker & Otis is a must try.

2. Vert and Vogue

353 W. Main St

Before I tell you about this story, fall in love with its story, “Nadira and Ryan Hurley, founders of Vert & Vogue, met in Paris in 2001 at a men’s boutique managed by Nadira. After buying a new wardrobe from her, Ryan couldn’t help but ask Nadira out on a date. After a little persistence (she didn’t date her customers), she accepted. They were soon married in 2002. Following a honeymoon year living in Paris, they moved to New York and started a family. They soon found themselves in the suburbs wanting more. For Ryan, that meant a green business. For Nadira, a return to retail fashion. From those intentions, the concept of Vert & Vogue was born. The gritty revitalizing city of Durham would become its perfect home. Nadira and Ryan opened the doors of Vert & Vogue on September 10, 2008.” Vert and Vogue is known for being the best selection of contemporary goods for women from today’s top independent designers and they fully live up to the expectation.

Vert & Vogue goes above and beyond a simple clothing store. They offer mindfully-made designs and personal styling, with care. They curate hard-to-find clothes, shoes, accessories, and home goods and have a heart for quality. Coolest of all is that in December 2017, they became a certified B Corp. They are committed to supporting artisans who create on a small scale and focus on sustainable practices. Take a closer look at the quality of your closet, and then step into Vert & Vogue to make some important changes.  

3. The Zen Succulent

121 Market Street

When mother/daughter team of Margaret and Megan George started their shop in a small space on Parrish Street, they had no clue that their plant shop would become THE place to see in Durham. From people wanting to go there and take photographs, or just to be able to post and say that they finally got to check it out, Zen Succulent quickly became a popular location and taught us all how to care for plants like children. Now, they have opened a second location in Downtown Raleigh AND have recently moved to a bigger Downtown Durham space due to their large success. From unique succulents to a build your own terrarium station, there is so much beauty to see and experience. They strive to bring fresh air and brightness into locals lives and if you haven’t visited their shop yet, it is a must.

4. Chet Miller

Photo by: Walter Magazine

118 West Parrish St

Welcome to the coolest store ever. Filled with local goods and other independently makers, Chet Miller has a variety of elevated goods for everyday life and also cards and books that will make you laugh your butt off. Chet Miller is the perfect locally owned shop to find a gift for someone who has everything, but then will also make you want to buy many pretty little things for yourself. For example, last time I visited Chet Miller, I left with a hilarious book about Kim Kardashian for a friend just because it was one of those random gifts that you would never buy for yourself, but instantly love it. Then, I also left with a blanket that was so soft I couldn’t leave without it.

From paper products to cookbooks to beautiful office supplies, Chet Miller is filled with things that spark joy. If you want some gifts that have some personality to them, this needs to be your next visit.

5. Bungalow

339 W. Main St

Located in the heart of Five Points, Bungalow features eclectic home decor, handcrafted stoneware, fine French linens, hand-forged pewter from Italy, local woodcraft, local folk art, Portuguese soaps, local all-natural skincare and bath products, silk pillows from Turkey, North Carolina crafted leather, and fine stationery. When it comes down to it, Bungalow is a beautiful space filled with unique finds to add to your home. From kitchen to bed linens, if you want to furnish your living space with more than the basic Bed, Bath, and Beyond, switch to Bungalow.

Thank you all for joining us at Urban MJ! We hope to continue to serve as an educator of urban development, economic growth, and the best of the best local goods and services! Follow us along to stay in the know of upcoming Triangle news and industry updates!