You can’t imagine Franklin Street without Julian’s. The retailer has been a downtown fixture for nearly a century, clothing local dignitaries, businessmen, and, of course, UNC athletes. Still family-owned and operated, the retailer maintains the highest standards by celebrating the old school sense of “prep” style mixed with a contemporary feel.
Mary and Maurice Julian opened the original Julian’s College Shop on East Franklin in 1942. Back then, competition was fierce with five other menswear stores on Franklin Street. After Maurice’s passing in 1993, each of their children ran the store: Missy Julian-Fox, with her husband Michael until 2007, and Alexander Julian, who currently operates it with his nephew, Bart Fox.
Alexander and Missy each made their own ways in the world before returning to the original shop. Alexander opened his own boutique in 1969 on Franklin Street called Alexander’s Ambition. He later moved to New York City where he became an award-winning designer; he also became the first American clothing designer to create his own exclusive fabrics. In 1988, he was tapped to design the uniforms for the Charlotte Hornets. In 2015, he worked with his son Huston to relaunch his signature clothing brand. Missy has worked for years in education and literacy and has written numerous children’s books. She also served as the director of the UNC Visitors Center, and, most recently, founded Heart of the Hill Tours, which teaches local history via themed walking tours. Her son, Bart (pictured below), currently manages the menswear side of Julian’s.
Julian’s is synonymous with Chapel Hill. The distinctive argyle pattern permeates local fashion, most notably UNC Athletics thanks to a redesign by Alexander of the men’s basketball uniform prior to the 1991-1992 season. They were also the first retail shop to put the Old Well on an item of clothing (the item was a neck tie and a variation of it is still in production today). The store has expanded into women’s wear and, most recently, handmade shoes. Most products are American-made, some even produced locally in North Carolina. They’re even working on celebratory 80th anniversary items! From custom designs to ready-to-wear fashions, you can find anything you need to look and feel your best. We celebrate Julian’s and wish them a happy 80th anniversary!
