10/01/2020
Hi Everyone! This post is for any Spanky’s (Chapel Hill, NC) fans out there. Former staff, guests, vendors... If Spanky’s was special to you in any way, at any point in your life, please take some time to continue reading.
My father-in-law, Mickey Ewell, opened Spanky’s in 1977 in Chapel Hill, NC on the corner of Franklin and Columbia. Spanky’s stayed on on that corner for over 40 years and was (and will always be in my book!) a Chapel Hill institution. Spanky’s was Mickey’s baby. He poured so much love and dedication into that little Chapel Hill corner and cultivated the kind of culture that kept staff and guests coming back for literal decades after they had left Chapel Hill.
In 2018, Mickey retired and the Chapel Hill Restaurant Group decided it was a good time to retire Spanky’s as well. But even though Spanky’s is no longer physically on Franklin Street, it’s hard to compete with the lasting impression it made on so many people during its 40+ years in business. Spanky’s meant so much to so many of us. It was your college hangout spot. It was your first stop after a Carolina win. It was the college job that introduced you to your best friends. It was your first date with your spouse. It was the place to celebrate milestones - anniversaries, graduations, birthdays, engagements, rehearsal dinners, pregnancies. It was the place to go for any occasion, good or bad.
After a lifetime of service to his community, friends, and family it is with a very heavy heart that I tell you all that our dear Mickey, who has lived with Parkinson’s over the last 15 years was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. He’s spending the rest of his time at home, surrounded by his family and loved ones.
After over 40 years, I know there are SO many people out there that have some very special memories of Mickey and/or Spanky’s. If you are one of those people, we want to hear from you! Drop a note in the comments or feel free to private message me () or my husband Harry, Mickey’s son (Harry Ewell) with your favorite Mickey/Spanky’s/Chapel Hill stories, etc. Over the next few days, we’d love to sit with him and let him hear from all the people he touched throughout his life. Serving his community and connecting with people was truly one of his greatest joys in life and it’s only fitting for him to hear from you all during this time.
The Ewell family looks forward to hearing from you all and sharing your words and thoughts with our sweet Mickey. Please no calls or home visits at this time, as the family is trying to keep the home environment as quiet and peaceful as possible at this time. But please know they appreciate every kind word, thought, and prayers during this time.
Please feel free to share this message far and wide! We’re looking forward to hearing from you all!
Be well & stay safe ❤️
Moriah
Update: if you share this post, please urge your friends to comment their stories and kind words on the original post so that we can see them all and share with Mickey! 💙
