Alterations at Hand for Julian's

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Julian’s, the stylish men’s clothing store that has been a mainstay of downtown Chapel Hill for the past 65 years, is making some major alterations.

Alexander Julian, the internationally recognized clothing designer, is putting in place a new management team. And the store is going to move to another downtown location. However, the site has not yet been announced.

The changes were disclosed Wednesday in a press release.

Missy Julian Fox, Alexander’s sister and co-owner of the store, is leaving the management of Julian’s. Her husband, Michael, is also stepping aside, the store said in a press release. They plan to pursue other interests.

Alexander has picked managers and sales leaders for the store, but they were not identified.

Alexander and Missy are the children of Maurice and Mary Julian, who founded the store in 1942. Both worked with their parents for several years.

Julian’s will move to a new location following a “moving sale,” which will begin on Friday.

“We are all so excited about these changes,” Missy said in a statement. “We have just completed a record December – the best in 65 years! Of course we are staying downtown, but for now I cannot reveal the exact spot.”

Missy added that the new management team “shares our passion for outstanding service, attention to detail, and most important, a passion for great clothes.”

On the store’s Web site, Missy described herself as "... the clothier, the owner, the window dresser, the janitor, and, sometimes, the slave to this little slice of Downtown." She started working at the store in 1976.

Alexander is based in Connecticut. By age 16 he was manager of the store. He later opened his own store in Chapel Hill before moving to New York to design clothing.