How Old East Durham Businesses Are Weaving Success Together
Photo of Maylon of MOM’s (Left) and Maggie @durhamfashion (Right) in front of Ideal’s Sandwich & Grocery in Old East Durham, North Carolina. Photo by GEORGE.
In the heart of Old East Durham, a remarkable story of community collaboration is unfolding. When Ideal's Sandwich & Grocery opened its doors to host MOMs (Middle of May | Thrift & Design) for a pop-up vintage shop, it wasn't just a business partnership – it was a testament to the strengthening bonds within our growing neighborhood.
Behind Ideal's success story stands two friends with a shared vision: Paul Chirico and Ian Bracken. Their journey began over a decade ago at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, where their shared love for classic deli sandwiches from their respective hometowns – Boston and New York City – sparked a friendship that would eventually transform Durham's food scene. Since opening in early 2020, they've been crafting Northeastern-style sandwiches that have quickly become legendary in the Bull City, making their own bread and focaccia rounds from scratch.
MOM's, a Black-owned family business nestled at 304 S Driver Street, has become more than just a thrift store. Under the careful curation of owner Maylon, this vintage haven has transformed into a community cornerstone. With an eye for unique pieces and a commitment to sustainable fashion, Maylon has created a space where every item tells a story and every customer becomes part of the narrative.
Tony Cate of Cate Dogs eating his lunch with his pop-up friends.
Speaking of stories, who should walk through the door during the pop-up but Tony Cate of Cate Dogs – Durham's very own fashion-forward personality. In true Tony style, he arrived declaring his mission to "upgrade his swag game" at MOM's, keeping everyone in stitches with his signature wit. If you know Tony, you know his infectious energy can light up any room – or in this case, any vintage pop-up!
The collaboration between MOM's and Ideal's, facilitated by the local style curator @durhamfashion, showcases how Old East Durham businesses are thinking beyond competition and embracing cooperation. This partnership isn't just about sales – it's about creating a vibrant, walkable neighborhood where every business lifts the other up.
Maylon modeling “NO DISRESPECT” the beer collaboration between Ideal’s Sandwich Shop and Bond Brothers Brewing.
And speaking of lifting each other up, Ideal's recent collaboration with Bond Brothers Beer Company resulted in "No Disrespect," a beer that embodies the spirit of local partnership. This kind of creative collaboration shows how our community businesses are finding innovative ways to support each other while offering unique experiences to their customers.
But collaboration in Durham extends beyond retail and hospitality. Just today, at ReCity Network, we experienced firsthand how our community supports each other in times of need. When computer issues threatened to derail our workflow, Greg from Techcesibility stepped in. His connection to Bike Durham further illustrates how our community members wear multiple hats, contributing their expertise across various local organizations.
These interconnected relationships – from vintage pop-ups to craft beer collaborations, from technical support to cycling advocacy – demonstrate the true strength of our community. Each partnership, each collaborative effort, weaves another thread into the fabric of Old East Durham's vibrant future.
Communities in Partnership food distribution set up to help 150+ families fight food insecurity in Old East Durham and beyond. Photo by GEORGE.
Speaking of community efforts, today's story is being written between volunteer shifts at Communities in Partnership's monthly food security initiative. This morning, I (Bradley GEORGE Setter, Founder & Head of Creative Strategy at GEORGE) arrived at 10 AM to help unload trucks at their Third Thursday Food Distribution event. When we hit a brief delay in the delivery schedule, I took the opportunity to walk down to MOM's to check on Maylon and grab a much-needed coffee, experiencing firsthand how our neighborhood's proximity creates these natural moments of connection.
For those looking to get involved, Communities in Partnership offers three distinct volunteer opportunities every Third Thursday: From 10 AM to noon, volunteers help with Ford's Produce Food Box and set up, from 2-4 PM, there's an opportunity to organize and pack produce boxes, and finally, from 5-7 PM (or until all boxes are distributed), volunteers assist with distribution to community members. These regular events are more than just food distribution – they're a monthly reminder of how our community comes together to support one another.
In fact, I'll need to wrap up this article soon to make it back for the afternoon shift, but that's exactly what makes Old East Durham special – the way our business community and social initiatives interweave seamlessly, creating a neighborhood where commerce and compassion go hand in hand.
The beauty of these collaborations lies in their authenticity. When Paul and Ian plate up their handcrafted sandwiches, when Maylon carefully arranges his latest vintage finds, or when Tony brings his larger-than-life personality to a local event, they're not just running businesses – they're nurturing community connections that make Old East Durham special.
Next time you're in Old East Durham, take a walk around. Stop by Ideal's for one of Paul and Ian's legendary sandwiches, hunt for unique treasures at MOM's, and experience firsthand how our local businesses are working together to create something special. And don't forget to mark your calendar for Third Thursday volunteer opportunities – because when we support one another, we strengthen all.
Maylon looks forward to the work needed to build generational wealth for his family in Old East Durham. Photo by GEORGE.
