Get to know the people behind new businesses on this primary downtown thoroughfare – from artisan galleries to vibrant bars and so much more
By Sharon Kinsella |Photography by John Michael Simpson
Batch Made in Heaven
Ashleigh Ratchford launched Ashleigh Bakes Daily in February 2021, turning a pandemic pivot into a full-fledged passion. This past June, she solidified her vision with the opening of her 307 W. Main St. storefront. “The pandemic got me started, but the feeling of bringing people joy through baking is what keeps me in it every day,” she says. “I love knowing that doing something I love can bring happiness to others.”
Every treat, from cookies to brownies and more, is handmade in small batches – no machines, just careful craftsmanship – ensuring that quality remains the heart of her work. Ashleigh says that visibility was one of her business’s biggest challenges, and now that dessert lovers know where to find her, she’s already seeing steady growth. Up next? Bringing “Reserved Batch” – a new bake-it-your-way pastry shop concept where customers pick their own dough and mix-ins, and enjoy warm, fresh-from-the-oven cookies – to life.
Drawn Together
Visitors to Fusion Gallery & Classes often leave with the same reaction: “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for.” That enthusiasm fueled the rapid rise of the project launched by Samm Quiser, Alexa Kapoor and Roy Guerrette. What began in July 2024 as a three-month pop-up inside Cecy’s 2.0 quickly blossomed into a permanent downtown presence a year later with the opening of its 321 W. Main St. location in July. The initial response exceeded expectations and revealed what Durham’s artistic community had been craving: a creative home rooted in accessibility and connection.
Fusion grew from solely showcasing the founders’ work to representing more than 60 local artists in just a year. The gallery added classes and events, and began partnerships, including school collaborations that help fund art programs and student-curated shows. The team says downtown provides the ideal environment, with steady foot traffic, curious neighbors and an electric energy that fuels the inventive spirit of both the gallery and its visitors.
Fusion continues to expand offerings with classes in jewelry making, silver clay sculpting, mosaic making and copper enameling – mediums that are difficult to do at home – giving people a chance to try something new in a supportive setting. Fusion also hosts monthly solo exhibitions during Third Fridays and is forming new satellite gallery partnerships with other businesses. Samm, Alexa and Roy envision a long-term role in shaping Durham as a premier arts destination in the Southeast.
Game On
E.O.’s Athletic Club, the latest venture from the team behind Kingfisher, Queeny’s, QueenBurger and Killer Queen Wine Bar, is slated to open January 2026 at 341 W. Main St. The sports bar aims to be a community hub where die-hard fans and casual viewers alike can connect over great food, drinks and shared moments. Expect TVs showing both men’s and women’s sports, from college and Olympic events to professional leagues. The menu will feature Northeast-style pizza, loaded baked potatoes, wings, salads and more. Even the decor will carry community ties, with childhood sports photos submitted by locals literally sealed into the bar top. Watch parties, theme nights and specialty competitions will keep the energy high, with programming that highlights everything from the NFL and March Madness to the WNBA, National Women’s Soccer League, niche sports and local favorites. E.O.’s is “more than just a sports bar,” co-owners Michelle Vanderwalker and Sean Umstead share – it’s a place to belong.
Style That Sustains
Nikki Chhatbar models one of her custom creations.
Rustic Passport Studios began as a promise to honor endangered traditions and has evolved into a fashion brand with a purpose. Designer and owner Nikki Chhatbar celebrated the grand opening of her first permanent storefront downtown in July. She launched the brand with a mission she calls CARE: “Creating awareness about sustainability; Assisting artisans; Reviving age-old art; and Empowering women.” Her journey began years ago in India, where she saw the struggles of traditional block-printing artisans and vowed to help preserve their craft. That promise, combined with her own frustrations with fast fashion and a passion for sustainable design, ultimately led to the creation of Rustic Passport.
Every piece in Nikki’s collection is made from 100% organic cotton and dyed with natural, chemical-free vegetable dyes. The designs are intentionally versatile – one size fits most, reversible, unisex and meant to be worn for years – even shared or passed down among family members. “I want people to feel the difference,” Nikki says. “When you wear clothing that’s natural and intentional, it’s not only good for the planet – it’s [also] good for your body and your mind.”
Nikki also teaches hand block printing and carving classes, allowing visitors to learn about the craft as well as shop at her 321 W. Main St. store and studio, which shares space with Fusion Gallery & Classes. Looking ahead, she hopes to expand into wellness offerings, carrying forward her lifelong dedication to sustainability, inclusivity and community.
Conscious Closet
Rose & Lee Collective marked its first anniversary at 213 W. Main St. this August, adding to six successful years at its original Apex location. Amber Brennan (pictured below) co-founded the boutique with Prisca D’Rozario before becoming sole owner in 2022. Her inspiration began years earlier while working in big-box retail, where she witnessed firsthand the harmful impacts of fast fashion. She started compiling a catalog of sustainable, ethical brands, not realizing it would one day become the foundation for her own store. That list eventually evolved into Rose & Lee, named after the founders’ middle names, and today it features a curated mix of socially conscious brands that align with Amber’s vision.
Amber says downtown has provided the perfect home for the boutique, with its steady energy, packed calendar of events and constant flow of visitors. She adds that the sense of community is what makes being in Durham so special – fellow business owners, neighbors and newcomers alike have made Rose & Lee feel welcomed from the start. Amber continues to dream big about what’s next. “There’s always something exciting on the horizon,” she says, “so stay tuned!”
Dressed to Impress
one of his favorite things about being downtown is the
tight-knit community of fellow business owners.
Ascend Collection Menswear opened its brick-and-mortar shop at 329 W. Main St., Ste. A, in December 2024, a culmination of owner and style consultant Cameron Luke’s longtime passion. His upbringing in church, surrounded by “Sunday best,” planted the seeds of his love for suiting and personal style, which took root as a teenager and steadily grew through years of research, experimentation and eventually client work at American Underground. Opening a storefront, he says, was about providing a personal experience for customers and creating “a space someone could walk into that looked like what [I] wanted to showcase.”
The location carries added significance: According to Open Durham, the building once housed the Federal Clothing Company in the 1920s. A century later, it has come full circle as a fashion destination. “Everybody who walks in says it’s so great to see a menswear store on Main Street again,” he says. The shop has already attracted repeat clients, as locals choose to support a Durham-based business over online retailers.
In the coming year, Cameron is exploring Duke-inspired custom garments and planning a one-year anniversary and holiday event this December. For him, Ascend is as much about connection as it is about clothing – a place where quality garments and personal service never go out of style.
Curry Flavor
Anjappar Indian Bar and Grill opened in November 2024, adding southern Indian cuisine to the mix of downtown dining. Owner Prakash Sampath, who operates additional Anjappar locations in Cary and Seattle, Washington, with another set to open soon in Charlotte, has long wanted a Durham presence. He got his first big business break here in 2004 and says he’s looked for a downtown opportunity ever since. The space at 201 E. Main St. required nearly two years of upfit before opening, but the result is a modern bar and grill in the heart of the city.
Anjappar sets itself apart from other Indian restaurants in the area with its menu that focuses on food from the southern part of India. “Our food is niche,” Prakash says. “It’s not your regular Indian restaurant food.” Diners have responded enthusiastically, and many have already become regulars. “They have been craving some good Indian food,” Prakash says of his customers. Adding live music on weekends and adapting the menu with faster lunch options to better serve downtown’s office workers are on the horizon for Anjappar. Prakash also hopes to see weekday activity increase as more nearby office spaces open and downtown foot traffic grows.
In Full Bloom
Primrose Bar & Lounge owes its origins to family tradition. Co-owner Mike Douglass still remembers his Aunt Flossie’s famous daiquiri – a frozen rum cocktail that became the highlight of every celebration. When he turned 21 and earned the right to finally try it, he was hooked. He began experimenting with flavors, hosting tasting nights and refining his method. In time, his friend and now co-owner, Darryl Coleman, suggested turning that passion into something bigger, and the idea for Primrose was born.
The two began planning in 2018, determined to create more than a bar. They imagined a high-end cocktail lounge that felt like an experience, where every drink has a story and the space itself carries the same artistry. Their vision took shape with the assistance of designer Jodie Evans, and Primrose officially opened at 111 W. Main St., Ste. 100, in April.
The name nods to the evening primrose flower, which blooms in low light and is known for its restorative qualities – a fitting symbol for Durham’s resilience and tenacity. “Durham has that ‘ you belong here’ feeling,” Mike says. “It celebrates art, diversity and [community], and we’re honored to provide a place that adds to that spirit. … We hope everyone who visits feels that same sense of beauty, warmth and purpose.”
The Local Beat
Downtown has no shortage of nightlife, but Houston’s Bar and Lounge, which opened in October 2024 at 108 E. Main St., stands out for its infectious energy. Owner Gerald Allen wanted a spot that felt lively and welcoming, with weekly events that keep people coming back. Karaoke nights with free wings, Taco Tuesdays and Sunday Funday have already built a loyal crowd. “I think the community really loves it,” Gerald says. “Locals come out and enjoy everything we’ve got going on.”
Gerald, who also owns Let’s Eat Soul Food, named the bar after his son, Houston – a personal touch that grounds the business in family even as it grows into a downtown destination. He says the best part of being on Main Street is the buzz of the community and being in the mix of it all.
The response has been so strong that Gerald is already planning his next move: Another bar is in the works on Chapel Hill Street, part of his larger goal to expand and leave a lasting imprint on the city where he grew up.
More to Explore
Several other newcomers have joined the downtown scene this year. Vessel Coffee House & Art Cafe opened in June at 506 N. Mangum St., Ste. 102, supplanting the former Everlou Coffee space. After years of serving from a mobile trailer, owner Rod Lawson set up Narrative Coffee Co.’s brick-and-mortar inside Durham ID’s 300 Morris St., Ste. 101, in July. Fate & Folklore, a mystical shop by Diana Abreu, opened in April at 123-B Market St. April also saw the arrival of Zeitgeist Gallery and Bar at 725 N. Mangum St. while Switchyards, a 24/7 neighborhood work club, opened in August at 733 Foster St.
