A genuine road warrior, Pamela Williams hits the highway on any given day to scour the country’s best antiques shows and flea markets for her North Carolina boutique, Branching Out. Armed with nothing but a high-top van and her bichon frise, Max, she always returns with a surprising cache of vintage finds her patrons continually deem irresistible. Her shop has become a popular nook within the cozy University Mall in Chapel Hill and a happy diversion for anyone looking beyond the sameness of big-box stores and cookie-cutter design. “My customers are typically very educated, well traveled, and savvy,” says Pamela. “They’re tired of mass-produced products from chain stores and megamalls, and they can find what they need here.”
