Saving Linda’s

On Franklin St. in Chapel Hill, N.C., sits Linda's Bar & Grill. A hallmark of the college town for almost 50 years, Linda's served generations of Chapel Hill students.

On Franklin St. in Chapel Hill, N.C., sits Linda's Bar & Grill. A hallmark of the college town for almost 50 years, Linda's served generations of Chapel Hill students.

Linda's owner Chris Carini serves tables at Linda's on November 17, 2023. After 12 years of owning the restaurant, Carini was forced to create a GoFundMe to keep Linda's doors open. "Long and the short of it, I'm asking for help from all the people

Linda's owner Chris Carini serves tables at Linda's on November 17, 2023. After 12 years of owning the restaurant, Carini was forced to create a GoFundMe to keep Linda's doors open. "Long and the short of it, I'm asking for help from all the people far and wide who love Linda's to help me keep it around for another 47 years," he wrote. At the bottom, he signed his name along with the restaurant's signature phrase: "Linda's Loves You."

Carini takes a business call while pumping gas on December 3, 2023. Faced with the residual impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and a terminally ill parent, Carini struggled to find balance, both for his business and in his personal life. "It's been a

Carini takes a business call while pumping gas on December 3, 2023. Faced with the residual impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and a terminally ill parent, Carini struggled to find balance, both for his business and in his personal life. "It's been a long road traveled," he said.

Carini sits at the counter of Cliff's Meat Market on December 3, 2023, ordering his meat supply for the day. As a small business owner himself, Carini thoroughly believed in supporting local businesses and people.

Carini sits at the counter of Cliff's Meat Market on December 3, 2023, ordering his meat supply for the day. As a small business owner himself, Carini thoroughly believed in supporting local businesses and people.

Carini prepares to run errands for supplies and food around the Chapel Hill and Carrboro area on December 3, 2023. He works almost daily, from physically serving and running Linda's to working on paperwork at night. "I just never stop," Carini said.

Carini prepares to run errands for supplies and food around the Chapel Hill and Carrboro area on December 3, 2023. He works almost daily, from physically serving and running Linda's to working on paperwork at night. "I just never stop," Carini said. "But I don't know any other way."

Carini stands in his second small business in Carrboro, East Coast Electric Speed Shop, which he founded in 2019. Despite Linda's financial struggles, Carini opened a second location of East Coast Electric in Raleigh in 2023.

Carini stands in his second small business in Carrboro, East Coast Electric Speed Shop, which he founded in 2019. Despite Linda's financial struggles, Carini opened a second location of East Coast Electric in Raleigh in 2023.

Guests eat breakfast at Linda's on December 3, 2023. In October of 2023, Linda's began offering breakfast as a part of Carini's efforts to bring a younger audience to the restaurant. "These people go out to breakfast more than they go out to late n

Guests eat breakfast at Linda's on December 3, 2023. In October of 2023, Linda's began offering breakfast as a part of Carini's efforts to bring a younger audience to the restaurant. "These people go out to breakfast more than they go out to late night," he said. "One thing I can't say is I blame them — I quit drinking six years ago."

Carini closes the restaurant for the evening on December 10, 2023. Linda's shut its doors on January 5, 2024. Kim Scott, the daughter of the original owner, Linda Williams, said they learned of the restaurant's closure through reporting from The Da

Carini closes the restaurant for the evening on December 10, 2023. Linda's shut its doors on January 5, 2024. Kim Scott, the daughter of the original owner, Linda Williams, said they learned of the restaurant's closure through reporting from The Daily Tar Heel, a local newspaper. Scott said she and her mother are currently looking for a new owner to reopen the bar.