Vic Huggins
Leonard Victor “Vic” Huggins was an exceptional raconteur, a passionate supporter of the Tar Heels, and a successful small business owner.
Born in Henderson County, Vic entered the University of North Carolina in 1920 and quickly became a fixture on campus. He served as the School’s head cheerleader and is credited with creating Rameses, the now-beloved Carolina mascot. Less well known is his move to allow women into the cheering sections at athletic events—something unheard of in the 1920s. After teaching stints in the North Carolina public schools, Vic came back to Carolina to study law, but the pre-1929 agricultural depression scotched his plans and he took instead to working as a traveling salesman, selling high-end clothing. Vic and wife Rebecca lived in Texas and Oklahoma, then moved back to Chapel Hill in the 1930s and built a house on Ransom Street. They bought the University Hardware Company on East Franklin Street and opened
Huggins Hardware March 22, 1944.
Vic turned the store into a shopping destination by expanding its inventory. The back of the shop remained focused on making keys, mixing paint and selling tools and supplies. The middle featured kitchen items from cast iron skillets to Corningware. And the front of the store, with its large windows onto Franklin Street, stocked general merchandise—selling everything from roller skates to gift items. He and Rebecca delivered what’s now called “high-touch” customer service, getting to know customers, solving problems and making suggestions. And Vic made sure every customer left with a humorous anecdote. In 1968, the Hugginses sold the store and Vic transitioned to commercial real estate. Vic was active in all manner of business, town and gown affairs. He was elected president of the Hardware Association of the Carolinas, and was an award-winning member of the National Retail Hardware Association. He was president of both the Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce, and was active in the Rotary Club, serving as both local president and district governor. He founded the Chapel Hill Rose Society and served as President of the Chapel Hill Athletic Club. In recognition of his tireless support of the University, Vic was given honorary membership to the Order of the Golden Fleece, Carolina’s highest and oldest honor
society.
For his service to and support of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community, we proudly induct Vic Huggins to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Business Hall of Fame.
Born in Henderson County, Vic entered the University of North Carolina in 1920 and quickly became a fixture on campus. He served as the School’s head cheerleader and is credited with creating Rameses, the now-beloved Carolina mascot. Less well known is his move to allow women into the cheering sections at athletic events—something unheard of in the 1920s. After teaching stints in the North Carolina public schools, Vic came back to Carolina to study law, but the pre-1929 agricultural depression scotched his plans and he took instead to working as a traveling salesman, selling high-end clothing. Vic and wife Rebecca lived in Texas and Oklahoma, then moved back to Chapel Hill in the 1930s and built a house on Ransom Street. They bought the University Hardware Company on East Franklin Street and opened
Huggins Hardware March 22, 1944.
Vic turned the store into a shopping destination by expanding its inventory. The back of the shop remained focused on making keys, mixing paint and selling tools and supplies. The middle featured kitchen items from cast iron skillets to Corningware. And the front of the store, with its large windows onto Franklin Street, stocked general merchandise—selling everything from roller skates to gift items. He and Rebecca delivered what’s now called “high-touch” customer service, getting to know customers, solving problems and making suggestions. And Vic made sure every customer left with a humorous anecdote. In 1968, the Hugginses sold the store and Vic transitioned to commercial real estate. Vic was active in all manner of business, town and gown affairs. He was elected president of the Hardware Association of the Carolinas, and was an award-winning member of the National Retail Hardware Association. He was president of both the Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce, and was active in the Rotary Club, serving as both local president and district governor. He founded the Chapel Hill Rose Society and served as President of the Chapel Hill Athletic Club. In recognition of his tireless support of the University, Vic was given honorary membership to the Order of the Golden Fleece, Carolina’s highest and oldest honor
society.
For his service to and support of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro community, we proudly induct Vic Huggins to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Business Hall of Fame.