🌳 Dollar Shave Club Moves HQ to Durham

It’s been a week of big shifts in Bull City: Durham schools wrestled with safety and tax concerns, Dollar Shave Club packed up from LA and set up HQ downtown, and county leaders honored Bill Bell with a building renaming. Add in a packed election season, free school lunches, and fall festivals kicking off… and you’ve got plenty to catch up on.

-Jordan

Dollar Shave Club Moves HQ to Durham

Dollar Shave Club, the razor and personal care company, has relocated its headquarters from Los Angeles to downtown Durham’s American Tobacco Campus. CEO Larry Bodner, a Duke graduate who returned to the Triangle last year, said the move was driven by talent, quality of life, and lower costs.

• New Office Space: The company is leasing 17,500 square feet in the Crowe Building, with room for about 80 employees and potential expansion.

• Durham Advantage: Access to university talent, cost of living, and ATC amenities helped Durham beat out Austin and other cities.

• Growth Plans: The company is revamping products, running a new ad campaign, and exploring acquisitions in the personal care sector.

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Durham County Renames Building for Bill Bell

Durham County commissioners voted unanimously to rename the county’s Administration Building II in honor of William V. “Bill” Bell, the city’s longest-serving mayor and a longtime public servant. Bell led Durham through decades of change, serving as county commissioner and later mayor from 2001 to 2017.

• Historic Leadership: Bell spearheaded the 1992 merger of Durham’s city and county schools and guided the city through revitalization efforts downtown.

• Downtown Legacy: Projects like the American Tobacco Campus and DPAC reshaped Durham under his mayoral leadership.

• Ongoing Influence: Bell continues to serve on the NCCU Board of Trustees; earlier this year, a downtown street near DPAC was also renamed in his honor.

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Durham Prepares for October Primary Election

Durham voters head to the polls Oct. 7 for the city’s municipal primary, where the mayor’s office and three City Council ward seats are on the ballot. The primary will narrow the field to two candidates in each race before the Nov. 4 general election. Turnout is typically low in local races — just 16% of registered voters cast ballots in 2023 — making this election especially dependent on engaged residents.

• Key Dates: Sept. 12 is the last day to register for the primary; early voting runs Sept. 18–Oct. 4 across five locations, including NCCU and regional libraries.

• Who’s Running: Mayor Leonardo Williams faces four challengers, while 18 candidates overall are competing for four seats, including incumbents Chelsea Cook, DeDreana Freeman, and Mark-Anthony Middleton.

• How It Works: Durham elections are nonpartisan. All registered city voters can cast ballots for the mayor and all ward seats, regardless of their ward of residence.

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BOCC Meeting: Honoring Bill Bell & Addressing Tax Concerns

Durham County commissioners held their Sept. 8 regular session with announcements, proclamations, and a historic building renaming. The meeting balanced celebration of community achievements with resident concerns about affordability.

• Free School Lunches: DPS announced that all students will receive free meals this year, no applications required.

• Tax Assessment Concerns: A longtime resident spoke about seniors and low-income homeowners struggling with higher property taxes. The board approved agenda item 25-0503 related to assessments by a 5–0 vote after the comment.

• Building Renamed for Bill Bell: Commissioners voted unanimously to rename County Administration Building II after William V. “Bill” Bell, Durham’s longest-serving mayor and former commissioner, honoring his decades of leadership in schools, neighborhoods, and downtown revitalization.

Watch the Full Discussion >>

APS Pet of the Week: Betty

Meet Betty, a sweet and sensitive medium-sized pup who’s still learning to feel safe. She’s shy at first, but once she trusts you, she’ll happily climb into your lap for comfort. Betty will thrive in a calm, patient home where she can build confidence at her own pace.

Adopt Betty >>

CenterFest Arts Festival – 50th Anniversary
Downtown Durham
Sept. 20, 10am–6pm & Sept. 21, 11am–5pm
Durham’s signature fine arts festival returns for its 50th year, filling downtown with juried visual artists, live performances, food vendors, kids’ activities, and community booths. Highlights include a parade by Paperhand Puppet Project, live screen printing of anniversary artwork, and nonstop music and dance across multiple stages.
Details >>

15th Annual Durham Oktoberfest
Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave
Sat, Sept. 13, 1–10 PM
Break out the lederhosen and raise a stein at Durham’s annual Oktoberfest, featuring The Little German Band & Dancers, Bavarian food, and plenty of beer-fueled cheer.
Details >>

Triangle Vegfest
Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St
Sun, Sept. 14, 12–5 PM
Celebrate plant-based living with food trucks, shopping, sweet and savory vegan eats, free face painting, and a DJ spinning all afternoon.
Details >>

Sheng Wang – Stand-Up Comedy
Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)
Fri, Sept. 19, 7:30 PM
Netflix breakout star Sheng Wang (Sweet & Juicy, produced by Ali Wong) brings his sharp, laid-back comedy to Durham for one night only. Known for appearances on HBO’s 2 Dope Queens and as a writer for Fresh Off the Boat, Wang mixes clever storytelling with an offbeat sense of humor.
Details >>

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