Sutton's Drug Store

Overview

Sutton's Drug Store is a casual diner and general goods store located on East Franklin Street, directly across from the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The store, which opened in 1923, is considered among Chapel Hill residents and UNC students and alumni alike as one of the historic landmarks of Franklin Street. It remains a popular attraction within the community. Sutton's is best known for its diner, which is located in the drug store itself, as well as the photographs on its walls that feature customers and local athletes.

Sutton's Drug Store has been a fixture of Franklin Street since 1923. Photo credit Billy Green. (Source)

History

Sutton's Drug Store was founded in 1923. The store's current owner and pharmacist, John Woodward, bought Sutton's from its previous owner in 1977. The previous owner wanted Sutton's to remain independently owned, Woodward has said. The store is known for the photographs of customers that cover the walls and hang from the ceiling. Woodward began to photograph customers in 1983 as a way to cover blank space above the diner tables. Today, more than 4,000 photographs adorn the walls, and about 10,000 are in storage. Sutton's is popular among many UNC-Chapel Hill athletes, whose photographs hang in the store.

Sutton's general manager, Don Pinney, 49, began working at Sutton's when he was 13 years old. His father and mother met at the store. Both worked at Sutton's back when it included a cosmetics counter and toy store.

Sutton's commonly wins local awards. In 2011 and 2012, it won an Independent Weekly award for the local pharmacy category. In 2012, it won a best diner award from local news site Chapelboro. The Daily Tar Heel, a student newspaper written for the university community, placed eating at the Sutton's counter on its UNC Bucket List in 2011.

Sutton's, which is open for both breakfast and lunch, features grill food—hamburgers, hot dogs, fries and sandwiches—some of which are named for local landmarks and figures. Some names include: Roy's Reuben, Tar Heel Turkey, Franklin St. Ham and Dean Dome Deluxe. The diner portion of the drug store features booths and a counter where customers can sit.