Eastgate Flooding: What Chapel Hill Businesses Need to Know
- BOLD Commercial Real Estate
- Jul 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 14
The flood that hit Eastgate Shopping Center on July 9, 2025, left a trail of destruction across Chapel Hill. Some storefronts took on more than five feet of water. Equipment and inventory were ruined. People had to evacuate.
If you've lived here long enough, you know this isn’t the first time Eastgate has flooded—and it likely won’t be the last.
In the days since, we’ve spoken with local business owners, legal experts, and commercial real estate professionals. Here’s what we’ve learned—and what you can do next if your business was affected.
1. Review Your Lease—Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
If your space is damaged or unusable, the first place to look is your lease. Depending on what’s in it, you may be entitled to pause your rent payments or even terminate the lease early—but not always. Many tenants don’t realize they’re responsible for repairs or gaps in insurance coverage until a disaster strikes.
We reached out to real estate attorney Cathy M. Rudisill for insight. She shared:
“Most leases include a section on fire or casualty, which outlines what happens if the premises are damaged. If there’s no clause like this, North Carolina General Statute § 42-12 may apply, giving tenants the right to surrender their lease under certain conditions.”
Bottom line: don’t navigate this alone. Talk to a commercial broker or real estate attorney. Lease reviews are typically straightforward and affordable—and can save you major headaches down the line.
2. Find a Temporary Space to Keep You Going
You don’t need a long-term lease to get back on your feet. Short-term, turnkey options are available and can be a lifeline while your primary location is being repaired.
Sites like Crexi and LoopNet are good starting points for sublease opportunities, or reach out directly to your broker.
For example, a 660 SF turnkey suite is currently available at South Green in Carrboro, offered by Noble Orthodontics. It’s a ground-floor space with natural light—ideal for personal services or small office use.
Need help finding or listing a temporary space? Contact Chela Tu, CCIM or Lewis Hendricks at BOLD Commercial Real Estate—we’re happy to make introductions.
3. Stay in the Loop with Local Recovery Efforts
A lot is happening behind the scenes to support businesses—but you have to know where to look. Here are some key resources to follow:
Town of Chapel Hill – sign up for official alerts and updates
David Putnam, Economic Development Director, Town of Chapel Hill
Ian Scott, VP of Advocacy, Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com – daily coverage and updates
From Sheila Dalton at SBTDC:
“Until a disaster area is officially declared, federal and state relief is unavailable. We’re awaiting a decision from Orange County. Once declared, we can help counsel businesses on disaster loans, though grants would be a better solution for many.”
In the meantime, SBTDC can also help with:
Financial projections during the recovery period
Succession planning and business sale prep
Referrals to cleanup vendors
4. Let Customers Know How to Support You
Your customers want to help—but they need to know how. Share updates on where you're operating, how they can find you, and what services you're offering.
Waxing the City handled this well: after relocating to Cary, they texted clients with a $15 rebooking credit and a clear call to action.
You don’t need a full marketing team. A clear message and simple contact info can go a long way.
5. Accept Help When It’s Offered
This isn’t the time to go it alone. Whether it’s a customer sharing your story, a friend setting up a fundraiser, or a professional offering their time—say yes.
Clean Juice, another Eastgate business, saw their CPA, Adkin CPA, organize a fundraiser. Customers responded generously because someone made it easy to support them.
If you need space, guidance, or just someone to point you in the right direction—we’re here.
Chela Tu, CCIM
C/T (919) -260-7059
Lewis Hendricks
C/T (828)-434-0678