Postino, the Phoenix-born wine and small-plates chain, is rolling into University Place in Chapel Hill, staking out Suite 302 at 201 S. Estes Drive. The spot clocks in at about 4,485 square feet of indoor dining plus a 1,888-square-foot patio, for roughly 6,373 square feet total. The bottle-happy concept is landing on one of the most visible corners of the revamped center, although Postino is keeping quiet on an opening date for now.
According to The News & Observer, Postino’s Chapel Hill outpost will pour a rotating lineup of more than 20 artisanal wines alongside craft beers, cocktails and shareable plates like bruschetta, panini and charcuterie. The chain is also bringing its Monday and Tuesday “Bottle & Board” special to town, pairing a bottle of wine with a bruschetta board for $25, the outlet reports. “We look forward to opening our doors and creating a space where guests can slow down, share a meal, and enjoy time together,” CEO Lauren Bailey said in the announcement, as quoted by the paper.
Design And The Postino Pitch
Postino locations lean heavily on mid-century-modern furnishings, art-forward interiors and communal seating that encourages lingering, and the company says the Chapel Hill restaurant will stick to that formula. As Upward Projects explains, the group’s mission is to create places where people can “eat, drink, and feel good,” and the University Place buildout is meant to reflect that vibe. The brand has been steadily pushing into new markets while tailoring each space to fit local character and typical foot traffic.
What It Means For University Place
Postino is part of a broader tenant shuffle as Ram Realty works to turn the former enclosed mall into an outward-facing mixed-use hub. ShoppingCenterBusiness reported that Barnes & Noble plans to renovate a roughly 19,734-square-foot former Planet Fitness space on the north side of the center, and that Bliss Nail Spa is set to take a 1,695-square-foot storefront next to Postino. Planet Fitness has already relocated to 257 S. Elliott Road, freeing up the large footprints that are now being reimagined, The News & Observer noted.
For Chapel Hill diners, Postino’s arrival brings a national name with a shareable-plates, hang-out-awhile setup to a center that is steadily layering big brands with neighborhood services and new apartments. University Place’s own leasing and redevelopment materials describe a gradual, multi-year overhaul of the property, with plans for new buildings, a public lawn and residential units. We will be watching for construction permits, hiring announcements and, eventually, that long-awaited opening date as the space gets built out.
