Magoo (on rollerskates, left) and Toots (seated, right) in 1972

A Chapel Hill, NC boutique gallery

As three seasoned entrepreneurs, all with differing backgrounds in arts, antiques and visual design, we came together to bring a new perspective to Chapel Hill. Our inventory is constantly changing. With each exciting new journey, we gather new finds. Check back often to get the true Toots & Magoo experience.

Store Hours

Sunday 12 – 5pm
Monday-Saturday 11am – 6pm

142 E. Franklin St.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

919 942-3339
info@tootsandmagoo.com

Who are we?

My mother and Godmother are best friends. My mother, Toots, and my God-mother, Magoo , met in San Francisco in the 70’s. They started an antique business on Union Street after figuring out that buying and selling at flea markets was more lucrative than licking stamps and envelopes at temp agencies. They were quick learners and their shop, “Chimera”, became an international hot spot for antique and art lovers. As marriage and babies entered the picture, the two of them branched off into separate ways. My mom went on to establish an art gallery and Maggie became a dealer of esoteric antiques and primitive arts. Now, many years later, they’re back together and they’ve pulled me into it too! The three of us have collaborated to create Toots & Magoo, which is founded on our mutual passion for all things beautiful and creative. It also tells the story of their adventures throughout the years — and boy do they have some stories to tell!!

—Chloë Greene

Cheryle “Toots” Jernigan-Wicker

Cheryle was raised in Chapel Hill during the 50’s & 60’s when life in a small university town was as good as it gets. Her parents were owners and operators of the local bakery on Franklin Street (Thell’s Bakery, 1954-1982). She was educated at UNC-Chapel Hill, traveled around the world , 1969-71, soaking in international culture like a sponge. She went on to establish a successful career, first as partner with Maggie “Magoo” Pearson, operating a 70’s stylish antique boutique. She then followed her passion for art by owning and operating Jernigan-Wicker Fine Arts in San Francisco from 1982 until 2003. She was president of the San Francisco Art Dealer’s Association from 2001-2003 and was a dedicated community leader with SFMOMA and other local organizations.

Upon relocating to Chapel Hill when her French husband took early retirement, she was discouraged to see what had happened to E. Franklin St. — the one block that served the needs of the university and local community without shopping malls or big box stores when she was growing up. She and her old friend, Alexander Julian (whose parents were merchants on the same block) decided to do something to bring the locals back to downtown. Cheryle committed herself to the revival of the small town model. Alexander Julian did the same.

Margaret “Magoo” Pearson

Margaret has spent 35 years as an art dealer and vice president of Bill Pearson Primitive Arts. She has lived and worked in several countries and gained experience as a senior member of the American Society of Appraisers for 30 years. Maggie’s late husband, Billy Pearson, is the 5-foot, 2-inch tall muse behind Toots & Magoo. He was a famous horse jockey of the 1940s and 50s. Pearson’s memoir reads like a 20th Century Renaissance man: from champion race jockey to twice-winner of the famous 1950s quiz show “The $64,000 Question,” from world traveler to Hollywood actor, accomplished author, merchant marine, ex-pat, pioneer, adventurer and gallery owner.

Throughout their 25 years’ marriage, Maggie and Billy collected art and artifacts from all over the world. Maggie developed an extensive knowledge of European and American antiques and is an expert on the historical aspects of the old world traditions of painted furniture. Three of their homes were featured in Architectural Digest. She is finally releasing their large collections of Hungarian and Austrian painted furniture at Toots & Magoo, among other unusual items, which include Nez Perce Native American beaded bags, rare American quilts and rare whale’s tooth scrimshaw carvings.

Chloë Greene

Chloë is our buyer and visual director. She lives in Brooklyn and is teaching herself to cook. She loves graphic design and printmaking and goes coo-coo for all things paper, printed, patterned. She touches everything she sees and can be found riding her bike around New York looking for inspiration.