Out for a drive in beautiful Chatham County this past weekend, I decided to head up 15/501 from the Jordan Lake area to see what I could see.  I discovered a charming shopping area called Market Street at Southern Village, just inside the southern tip of Chapel Hill.  

This hidden treasure is worth incorporating into a weekend country drive. 

The oval Market Street offers browsers and shoppers plenty of wide, well planned sidewalks, a movie theatre, restaraunts, small shops, even a bank, church, medical clinics and child care center. 

The oval is surrounded by assorted townhomes and larger homes. 

If you're considering relocating to the Chapel Hill area, this is a must see on your tour of the area. 

If you've been out wandering, golfing, or doing some early morning fishing on Jordan Lake, head up Hwy 15/501 and look for the Southern Village sign on the left. 

Turn in, and park in one of the easy diagonal spaces around the circle.  Get out and enjoy!

Looking for something to sip or snack on? Check out these little places. 

Jaluka Juice & Cream has a cute coffee shop feel, with fruit smoothies, coffee, frozen yogurt, and hot tea. 

LaVita Dolce Espresso & Gelato Café is high-tech friendly.  With wireless services even on the patio, it's a terrific place to work on that extra project while enjoying espressos, pastries, and desserts, or one of the 20 flavors of gelato and fresh fruit sorbet made daily. 

For something a bit more hearty, the Pazzo! Trattoria & Pizzeria has wonderful sidewalk dining, with salads, antipasto, Italian cuisine, and traditional and gourmet pizzas. 

Or go across the square to the Town Hall Grill.  Sit at one of the shiny aluminum tables indoors or outdoors, and munch on a steak, salad, burger, or seasonal dish. 

If you're in the mood for something special, try the Merlion Restaurant, which offers special Singapore dishes.  

 Check out the menu - they serve both lunch and dinner, but are closed between meals.   Ask for a Thai iced tea with your meal.

The Weaver Street Market offers an extensive hot bar and salad bar with a wide variety of dishes, including vegan and vegetarian choices.   Choose something, then enjoy it on one of the sidewalk benches or tables. 

While you're in the market, take a good look around.  This is a co-op grocery store, and along with the Panzanella restaraunt and one other Weaver Street market in downtown Carrboro, is owned by about 12,000 local citizens, with opportunities for new investors.

Of note is the local beer and wine selection, the organic coffee, the organic milk in glass bottles, and the "make your own" peanut butter machine.  Next to it is a "wildflower honey" dispenser - both can be put into your own jars to save some packaging. 

I picked up a nice jar of pesto while I was there, and plan to put it to good use in some pasta later this week. 

After you've had something to eat, take a little walk around Market Street.  There are some inviting vendors to become familiar with, while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.  Pick up some fresh flowers, a unique gift for your bosses new baby, a fresh fruit boutique to surprise a special friend with, a wild cherry wood ladel, or a new book to take to the lake.  

The Cottage Shop is small, but has a lot of attractive items carefully displayed.  This shop specializes in natural fiber linens, and offers gift registry for brides to choose from the tasteful lingerie, loungewear, linens, and other lovely home accessories.

Edible Arrangements is one of the few shops that isn't "one of a kind", but it's worth checking out if you need a distinctive gift.   You may have been the recipient of one of their unique fruit baskets - with melons, berries, pineapple, grapes and more fashioned into flowers and arranged into generous baskets.  If your sweetheart has said "No more chocolates, ever", here's a way to bring her something delicious to eat without the calories. 

Bloom - Gifts for Home & Garden is a pretty little shop, with fresh flowers set outside the front door.  Take in the scents, then head inside for a large bouquet of your own, or browse the appealing birdhouses, candles and candlesticks, and topiaries, among other gifts.  Don't forget to say hi to Bo, the shop dog. 

Market Street Books is an independent bookshop, with a nice neighborhood feel to it.  When I dropped in, I noticed the kids corner with plenty of books, a small sitting area, and some old fashioned toys ready to purchase and enjoy.  There was also a nice area for book club meetings, with a long table and plenty of sunshine through the tall windows.  Pets are welcome, as are neighborhood announcements - one of the windows included announcements of various Chatham County and Chapel Hill fundraisers, concerts, and social events. 

Probably the most unique shop is Pringles Fine Crafts.  Named "Top 100 American Craft Retailer" by Niche magazine for the past 5 years, Pringles has plenty to look at, with unique items from over 90 American craftsmen, including pottery, Motawi tiles, solar chimes, jewelry, women's handbags, and much more. 

If you already live in the area, or are thinking about purchasing a home close by, keep Market Street in Southern Village in mind as a one-stop destination.  Beyond the places to shop and eat, there are also many other services offered.

Attorneys and CPAs have offices here, as does the Chapel Hill Children's Clinic.  The Forever Young Spa can give your body a cleansing, while your clothing undergoes a similar treatment at the H2Only Cleaners. 

The Harrington Bank has a beautiful building here, and has the distinction of being Chapel Hill's only locally managed and operated bank.

Orthodontics are offered in one dental office, general dentistry in another, and even the children can get their teeth inspected at  Southern Village Pediatric Dentistry.  Get your travel plans set at the American Express Travel Center, ship those gifts you just purchased at Ship on Site, and if you didn't get enough exercise visiting the neighboring Haw River or the Jordan Lake walking paths, get a workout at the O2 Fitness Club. 

That's not all.  The Village Green offers a movie theatre - The Lumina - with five first run films.  In the summer, they even show films on the lawn - which becomes a cozy community event with lots of blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic dinners.   

The summer showings aren't the only event, either. 

The second Friday of every month is host to the "2^nd Friday Artwalk", a Carrboro and Chapel Hill event featuring local artist shops throughout the area, many with live music or other entertainment. 

Christ United Methodist Church is a beautiful, reverent stone church, reminiscent of traditional European cathedrals, with multiple archways and a tall bell tower.  If you're looking at church options in the area, at the very least the architecture is worth checking out!  There are four services every Sunday, traditional and contemporary.

And finally,  the Chapel Hill Daycare is also on site.  Established 40 years ago, this center is convenient for parents commuting from anywhere on 15/501 into Chapel Hill.  Sign up early to get on the waiting list. 

If you're interested in living in Southern Village itself, be prepared for a little sticker shop. 

Homes currently on the market start at $510K for a 12 year old 2400 sq ft courtyard patio home (on about an 3500 sq ft lot, or about 8% of an acre), and top out at close to $900K. 

If your housing budget isn't that high, you could consider a townhome, though you'll have to watch for one to become available.  Several are listed right now, in the high $300s for about 1600 sq ft, or just under $200K for about 900 sq ft. 

But don't give up on living in or near the Chapel Hill area!  There are many other options very close by. 

• Cedar Grove offers new custom homes on 2-7 acres, in the high $400s to the high $500s, for homes about 3500-4500 sq ft. 
• Cattail Creek has new custom homes on over 1 acre, in the mid $200s to the mid $300s, with homes ranging from 1600-2900 sq ft. 
• Fearrington Village offers homes on smaller lots in the $350s to the $550s, some brand new, some built in the 1990s, ranging from about 2100-3300 sq ft. 

Chatham County is a very desirable area, but there are options in most price ranges.   Come, take a drive - but beware, you may fall in love with this gorgeous part of North Carolina!

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