In this issue:
Hops & Flower Opens on Hillsborough Road
Delancey Tavern Opens on Geer Street
DPS, Educators Reach Grievance Agreement
Durham School Board’s Priorities Under Scrutiny
DPS Hosting Bus Driver Hiring Event
Beyond the Lens at Nasher Museum
Reminder: Early voting starts Thursday, February 12!
Hops & Flower Opens on Hillsborough Road
A new multi-concept spot from Durham chef Shawn Stokes has opened at 2014 Hillsborough Road, combining a deli, coffee shop, taproom, retail market, and hemp dispensary under one roof. Hops & Flower is designed as a neighborhood “third place” where customers can grab breakfast, work remotely, meet friends, and shop local goods.
All-day food and drinks: Breakfast includes Little Waves coffee, egg sandwiches, bagels, and tamales. Lunch and dinner feature hot and cold New York-style hero sandwiches, with vegetarian options available.
Market and dispensary: Shelves are stocked with wine, beer, pantry goods, ice cream, fresh pasta, grab-and-go meals, and THC seltzers, alongside hemp products including edibles and pre-rolls.
From taproom to full concept: Stokes, owner of Luna Rotisserie, Rubies on Five Points, and Remy’s Lounge, expanded the idea after leasing the former Moe’s BBQ space, which included a full kitchen.
Delancey Tavern Opens on Geer Street
A new upscale restaurant has opened in downtown Durham’s Geer Street District, bringing elevated American fare to a renovated 80-year-old car showroom. Delancey Tavern is the latest venture from owners Malachy Noone and Tracy Hancock, the team behind Bull McCabe’s and Hutchins Garage.
Historic space, new look: Located at 408 W. Geer St. in the former Weeks Motor Company building, the restaurant blends industrial design with art deco touches, featuring green velvet banquettes, a marble bar, and a mezzanine lounge.
Elevated American menu: Dishes include steak frites, rainbow trout with pomegranate-soy glaze, a burger and fries, pork belly, Korean-style wings, and a revival of the “Chicken Cooked Under a Brick” once served at Pop’s. Cocktails and wine are a major focus.
Dinner now, brunch later: Delancey is open for dinner Wednesday through Monday starting at 5 p.m., with weekend brunch planned in the coming months.
DPS, Educators Reach Grievance Agreement
Durham Public Schools leaders and the Durham Association of Educators say they’ve reached agreement on changes to the district’s grievance policy, while negotiations over pay and working conditions continue. The update came during one of the final meet-and-confer sessions of the school year, as dozens of educators rallied outside calling for higher wages and more stability.
Grievance policy changes: DPS and DAE agreed on new language allowing groups of employees to file collective grievances when the same issue affects multiple workers. The proposal now heads to the school board for approval.
Push for higher pay: DAE is proposing a $22 per hour minimum wage for classified staff in 2026–27, with future increases, and wants extra-duty pay funded through savings from vacant positions. The district says it will review cost estimates before responding.
Budget pressure looms: DPS faces a projected $10.8 million shortfall, possible reductions in state funding tied to enrollment declines, and an estimated $6 million increase in payments to charter schools next year.
North Carolina prohibits collective bargaining for public employees, so DPS uses a “meet and confer” process to negotiate policy and budget priorities.
Durham School Board’s Priorities Under Scrutiny
A new essay from Durham United argues the Durham Public Schools Board of Education has shifted its attention away from student achievement and toward managing internal crises. After analyzing nearly 13,000 minutes of board meetings, the group found that less than 10% of public meeting time focused on academic performance, even as proficiency, graduation rates, enrollment, and teacher retention declined. The report contends that governance decisions, redistricting turmoil, and weak fiscal oversight compounded those challenges and eroded public trust.
Key Findings:
Academic decline: Student proficiency remains below 50%, missing the Board’s 54% goal, while graduation has fallen to 80.4%, below the state average.
Operational instability: The 2024 “Growing Together” redistricting effort was followed by a $7 million budget gap tied to 315 unfunded positions, payroll errors affecting 1,300 employees, transportation cuts impacting 2,000 students, and teacher turnover reaching 21%.
Governance imbalance: More than 80% of meeting time centered on operations, personnel, and finance, with just 9.7% devoted to student outcomes.
DPS Hosting Bus Driver Hiring Event
The Durham Public Schools Transportation Department is recruiting bus drivers at an in-person hiring event later this month, offering on-the-spot interviews and information about training, benefits, and job opportunities.
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: 800 Clayton Road, Durham (Transportation trailer behind the school)
What to expect: Walk-in interviews, details on becoming a DPS bus driver, and staff available to answer questions
Beyond the Lens at Nasher Museum
Three powerhouse photographers come together for an evening centered on Black image-making and visual storytelling. Dr. Deborah Willis, Jamaica Gilmer, and Kennedi Carter will lead a conversation at the Nasher Museum of Art exploring history, aesthetics, and the power of photography to shape how Black life is seen.
Reception + Book Signing: Thursday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Artists’ Talk: 7 p.m.
Details: The event celebrates Black photography while marking the 10th anniversary of the Nasher Teen Council and the 20th anniversary of The Beautiful Project.
