18 minute read
MEET & GREET
Welcome the new proprietor of Nil’s Cafe 2022 Maggy Winner of Best
of Mediterranean Restaurant
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TAN UCKAN
Owner, Nil’s Cafe Mediterranean Cuisine and Medi Bites food truck
Written by David McCreary | Photographed by Jonathan Fredin
BACKGROUND: When I was growing up in Istanbul, my mother worked, so I helped with cooking. After high school, I trained in culinary arts in Turkey.
OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY: My family knew Mustafa and Sibel (recently retired owners of Nil’s) in Turkey. I call him Uncle Mustafa, and I’m grateful he sold the restaurant to me.
NEW FOOD ITEMS: With the food truck, I wanted to create high-quality, modern Mediterranean food that can be featured in the restaurant.
The chicken salad recipe is the same. We added chef’s choices like falafel with smoked eggplant, roasted cauliflower with goat cheese and red pepper vinaigrette, and a gyritto, which is a fusion burrito with beef, lamb, turco de gallo and a medi sauce based on my mom’s recipe. SPLURGEWORTHY: We have baklava, carrot cake, peanut butter chocolate cake and our most popular dessert, a 10-layer honey cake (editor’s tip: get this in your life ASAP).
FUTURE PLANS: My goal is to offer affordable fine dining in a casual style. On Friday evenings, we plan for reservation-only four-course dinners.
FINE-TUNING: We adjusted to five days a week and are now closed Sunday and Monday. This gives us time to recharge and be with family. We want to be involved in the community however we can, because we plan to be here for a long time.
NIL’S CAFE MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
513 BROAD ST., FUQUAY-VARINA (919) 567-0887 medibites.net
2Digh4
BEST LOCAL MUSIC GROUP
Brothers Landon, left, and Aubrey Digh began developing their musical talents right here in Fuquay-Varina, taking lessons downtown and honing their craft at Fuquay-Varina High School. Now the four-person band travels around the Southeast, performing their signature country rock originals and popular cover songs.
Inside 9Round Fitness
BEST FITNESS PROGRAM
We have worked hard to revamp the gym over the last year and a half. It’s huge for us to be recognized in a magazine that we have available right here in our location. ”
– Angela Maskill
When the former owners of 9Round Fitness in Holly Springs wanted to close the gym, Paul Maskill didn’t want to lose access to his workouts, so he decided to buy it.
In the 18 months that Paul and his wife Angela have owned the location on GB Alford Highway, the pair has updated the equipment and improved social media awareness, focusing on serving the residents of Southern Wake community with a flexible and fun workout.
OWNER ANGELA MASKILL TAKES US INSIDE:
It’s a total-body kickboxing circuit workout. There are nine stations, each lasting three minutes. A threeminute timer keeps the pace, so after nine rotations, your 30-minute workout is done.
There are no set class times, no sign-ups. A new workout can be started every three minutes, so there is complete flexibility to suit each member. 70-80% of our members have zero kickboxing experience. Everything is modifiable. There is a trainer on the floor, and together you can decide what works for you.
The class changes every day, so you always feel challenged.
JAMI GUILLORY, MANAGER ANGELA MASKILL, OWNER LUKE DAMO, TRAINER
It’s a great stress relief to punch and kick things. Frustrations get taken out on the bag.
WINNERS!Lifestyle
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL HERBERT AKINS ROAD ELEMENTARY
Holly Springs High School Willow Springs Elementary School
BEST NONPROFIT MILITARY MISSIONS IN ACTION
Meg’s Smile Foundation Guardian Angel Thrift
BEST PRESCHOOL PRIMROSE SCHOOL
Johnson Pond Learning Center Little Dreamers Preschool
BEST LOCAL EVENT OR FESTIVAL BEERICANA
HollyFest Celebrate Fuquay-Varina
BEST LOCAL MUSIC GROUP 2DIGH4
Bender Street The Rusted Rails
BEST PLACE FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION PARRISH WOMBLE PARK
Hilltop Needmore Town Park & Preserve Bass Lake Park
BEST FITNESS PROGRAM 9ROUND FITNESS
Burn Boot Camp Original Strength Institute
BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO BRADLEY’S YOGA AND FITNESS
Prana Yoga Breathing Space
BEST KIDS’ PROGRAM OR CAMP FUQUAY-VARINA ARTS CENTER
Rock Solid Warrior Hunt Center
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FUQUAY-VARINA MEMES
Rescued Wood Rehab A Southern Wake Couple
Girls Who Do Stuff 919 Beer
Herbert Akins Road Elementary
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL
OPEN SINCE: July 2009 CALENDAR: Year-round MASCOT: Hawks PRINCIPAL: Dr. James Douglas ENROLLMENT: nearly 1,000 HISTORY: Named for Herbert Akins, a veteran, businessman and community advocate, who lived in Fuquay-Varina from 1889 to 1965. Akins owned and farmed the land that the school was later built on, founded Varina Supply Company, and served as director and president of the Bank of Varina during his life. Herbert Akins Road Elementary School has close to
25 books
per student available, nine more than the Wake County average.
Source: North Carolina School Report Cards
Primrose School
BEST PRESCHOOL
There are 13 Primrose School locations in the Triangle area, two in Southern Wake: Primrose School at West Lake, in Apex, and Primrose School at Holly Grove, in Holly Springs.
Military Missions in Action
BEST NONPROFIT
Dedicated to assisting members of the armed forces, veteran and active duty, and their families through personal support and housing assistance.
$0.94
of every dollar donated goes to programs and services
58,000
Veterans served
Beericana
BEST LOCAL EVENT OR FESTIVAL
Southern Wake loves craft beer, and Beericana celebrates that love by bringing together dozens of NC breweries, live music and food trucks in a one-day festival at Sugg
Farm Park. Look for this annual festival to return in the fall of 2022.
63,108
Care packages shipped
731
Building projects completed
533
Veterans’ homes furnished
1,918
Children of service members benefited
BEST OF LIFESTYLE
{CONT.}
I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for this community believing in me. ”
- Randi Bradley, Bradley’s Yoga & Fitness
Bradley’s Yoga & Fitness offers free monthly events to members, like puppy yoga or partner yoga.
Meet Greet
FOUNDER RANDI BRADLEY, PICTURED CENTER, HOLDING HOORAY SIGN, WITH HER SATURDAY MORNING YOGA CLASS
Randi Bradley
Founder, Bradley’s Yoga & Fitness
BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO HONORABLE MENTION: BEST NEW BUSINESS
I taught free yoga online seven days a week, from the day the world shut down to July 1 (2020).
I opened the studio March 1, 2021. Since then, we’ve nearly tripled the number of classes and teachers.
My goal was to make people of any ability level feel successful in every single class, and feel better when they are done.
95 percent of our yogis are beginner level. We welcome yogis of all ages, sizes and flexibility.
We are more than just a studio. We’re a community of mostly women who are there for each other.
Our busiest classes are usually the Yin classes, which are super slow, stretchy, calm and relaxing, and power flow, which is a yoga workout, with lots of movement and cardio.
FUQUAY-VARINA MEMES
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT
With good-natured jabs at all Wake County towns, Fuquay-Varina Memes has amassed a following of more than 42,000 across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Frequent targets are Cary’s public art, the odorous South Wake Landfill, shenanigans on the “Ladies of” Facebook pages and farm animals in Fuquay. We’re big fans of the monthly column in Main & Broad, too (page 60). Easily offended? Best to scroll on past this one.
FOLLOW ALONG @FUQUAYMEMES
KAREN SHORE HOLLY SPRINGS DEEP DIVE PODCAST
Holly Springs Deep Dive Podcast
BEST LOCAL PODCAST
Karen Shore started the “Holly Springs Deep Dive Podcast” to create a dialogue with candidates for local office, understanding that local government officials have a huge impact on daily life, but details about campaign platforms and personal background can be hard for voters to find.
In her archive of 65 episodes, Shore interviews candidates, as well as local residents, entrepreneurs and community servants in a friendly, casual way.
“The best community is an informed and engaged community, and that’s what my goal was — to give the people an easier route to becoming informed and engaged,” Shore says.
NOLAN R. PERRY J. DAVID MORGAN
Community Based Law Firm
Focused in Real Estate, Business & Estate Planning Law
We are dedicated to providing a holistic approach to legal services. The need for legal services can arise in emotional and stressful times. Our goal is to help you through these times with an eye to the future. No matter the legal issue, you are important to us.
920 Durham Street | Fuquay-Varina | 919-584-5293
morganperrylaw.com
WINNERS!Services
JULIE OLSCHNER SALON REVIVE Salon Revive
BEST HAIR SALON
Open in Town Hall Commons for two and a half years, Salon Revive is owned by Holly Springs residents Julie and Keith Olschner.
“I wanted a salon with top-quality services that was still welcoming and casual,” says Julie.
Salon Revive hosts 11 stylists, with a range of specialties, including men’s and women’s haircuts, highlights, extensions, updos and even makeup. “We aren’t all masters of everything, but we help each other and make sure all our clients’ needs are met. ”
Dr. Phil Vito,
Holly Springs Eye Associates
BEST EYE DOCTOR
Dr. Phil Vito opened Holly Springs Eye Associates in 1999, when the population of the town was less than 10,000.
When not seeing patients, you might find Dr. Vito at the lake in his kayak, jetting across the water on WaveRunners or working on home improvement projects. Fidelity Bank BEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Founded as the Bank of Fuquay in 1909, today there are Fidelity Bank locations across North Carolina and Virginia, with headquarters still in Fuquay-Varina.
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BEST AUTO MECHANIC SHOP GETZ AUTOMOTIVE
Fuquay Tire & Automotive Center 55 Auto Works
BEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION FIDELITY BANK
State Employees’ Credit Union Coastal Credit Union
BEST CUSTOM HOME BUILDER/ HOME RENOVATION SPECIALIST BIG MONKEY RENOVATION & REPAIR
Glasgow Design Build Massengill Design Build
BEST MORTGAGE OFFICER DIANE KINLAW, FIRST FEDERAL MORTGAGE NC
Sherry Riano, First Heritage Mortgage Bonnie O’Brien, GoPrime Mortgage
BEST INSURANCE AGENT CHRISTINE WALORZ, WALORZ INSURANCE
Trisha Schwartz, State Farm Insurance Michael Bendel, New York Life Insurance
Krista Abshure, The Abshure Realty Group Erica Anderson, Team Anderson Realty
Dr. Meredith Taylor, Holly Springs Family Dentistry Dr. Scott Butts, Avent Ferry Family Dentistry
BEST ORTHODONTIST DR. TONY KHARA, TONY KHARA ORTHODONTICS
Dr. Kristen Fritz, Fritz Orthodontics Dr. Joe Pittman, Pittman Family Orthodontics
DR. WIGGINS-SMITH, PICTURED CENTER, HOLDING SIGN, WITH HER PARTNERS AND STAFF.
People don’t always understand the importance of oral health, how it can affect your body. The mouth is the portal to the body. Oral health plays a major role in heart disease. It’s important to us to help patients understand that.
- Dr. Tara Wiggins-Smith, Main Street Family Dentistry
BEST DENTIST
Dr. Tara Wiggins-Smith and her business partner, friend and dental school classmate, Dr. Jenine Giles, opened Main Street Family Dentistry in May 2010.
They weren’t sure what to expect, as women and minorities in small town Holly Springs, but 12 years later Wiggins-Smith says, “It’s been better than I ever expected.”
Each year growing and seeing more patients, the women strive to provide an individualized experience to their clients, helping them to feel relaxed and comfortable in the dental chair.
“I am very chill and laid back,” Wiggins-Smith says. “I want my patients to feel that. We not only want them to smile, but to smile on the inside when they are here.”
“I genuinely like to have fun. I like to sing with my patients,” Wiggins-Smith says. Sometimes they even join in.
“The fact that somebody voted for us makes me feel like what I do matters. I love dentistry. If I made a difference in one person’s life, it makes it feel worth it.”
BEST OF SERVICES {CONT.}
!WINNERS
RYANNE JACKSON AND BRANDI MOORE OWNERS, POOCH PAD
Pooch Pad
BEST PET SERVICES UP TO
Offering grooming, boarding, doggie daycare and training, Fuquay’s Pooch Pad is a “one-stop shop” for pet owners, says co-owner Ryanne Jackson.
It’s the “fun side” of pet care, she says.
Jackson, a former veterinary nurse, started Pooch Pad with her business partner Brandi Moore in 2010 in a small house on Main Street. They’ve expanded and grown to more than 30 employees since, serving up to 150 dogs per day.
Several turf play yards entertain small-to-large pooches, and during the summer months a beach-entry pool keeps pups cool. “ Some dogs are here four to five Dogs scheduled for grooming also enjoy free play with the daycare crowd before their bath. “The dogs are easier to work with on the table if days a week. This they’ve been running around. They are is their home not as stressed,” Jackson says. Attending daycare helps dogs get away from home. exercise and social skills. ” – Brandi Moore, Pooch Pad “It’s healthy for them physically and mentally,” says Moore. “These dogs are part of the Pooch Pad family, part of our pack.”
150 dogs
SERVED PER DAY
Dr. Patrick O’Dowd, Fuquay Eye Care Dr. Kenneth Roach, Fuquay Ophthalmology & Glaucoma
BEST CHIROPRACTOR DR. BROOK WALLACE, CHIROPRACTIC PARTNERS
Dr. Chad Anderson, Anderson Chiropractic Center Dr. Matt Arthur, 919 Spine
BEST ATTORNEY NOLAN PERRY, MORGAN & PERRY LAW
Melissa Flanagan, Fuquay-Varina Family Law David Morgan, Morgan & Perry Law
BEST HAIR SALON SALON REVIVE
Bella on Broad Love is in the Hair
BEST SPA THE FLOAT SPA HOLLY SPRINGS
Serasana Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
BEST PET SERVICES POOCH PAD
Trinity Animal Hospital Paws Fur Grooming
Big Monkey Renovation and Repair
BEST HOME BUILDING SPECIALIST
Owned by Fuquay-Varina resident Jared Watson, Big Monkey Renovation and Repair offers discounts on their services to military, police, fire, emergency responders, teachers and nurses.
Watson and his team specalize in bathroom renovations, deck replacement, handyman services and renovations of all sizes.
Tracy Watson
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT Tracy Watson offers a commission rebate to active or retired military members, as well as police officers, firefighters, EMT personnel, teachers and nurses. (Sound similar to Big Monkey Renovation and Repair? Jared and Tracy are married, and they offer these discounts to thank these community members for their service.)
Watson also serves as a Fuquay-Varina town commissioner, elected in 2021.
Treat yourself and a loved one.
Voted BEST DAYSPA, best massage & BEST YOGA STUDIO in holly springs
SERASANA.COM/HOLLYSPRINGS 919-762-7473 | 116 BASS LAKE RD.
R
yoga • acupuncture • massage • skincare • tea bar
WINNERS!Shopping
Rescued Wood Rehab
BEST HOME FURNISHINGS AND DECOR HONORABLE MENTION: BEST GIFT STORE
Part woodworking studio, part gift shop, Rescued Wood Rehab offers custom-made decor items and assistance with tools, planning and building DIY projects. Owner Marty Woodward founded the shop with the help of shop dog Bud, also known as Director of Marketing, to save broken and outdated wood pieces from landfills.
Join the staff of RWR on the second Wednesday of every month for Woodworker Wednesdays, a chance to share ideas and experiences with other local woodworkers of all skill levels.
Did you know?
Cellar 55 (Best Wine & Bottle Shop) offers 50 percent off growler fills every day and complimentary wine tastings on Fridays.
Plus, enjoy Cellar 55’s self-serve tasting room with both wine and beer stations at the ready for visitors to sample as they browse. Up to 16 different wines and 8 beers rotate regularly.
On Saturday nights, order chef-prepared light bites, like charcuterie boards and pimento cheese dip.
BEST NEW BUSINESS (NON-RESTAURANT) INNER BEAST HATCHET HOUSE
Sweet T Picnics Bradley’s Yoga and Fitness
BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE BLESS YOUR HEART BOUTIQUE
The Wardrobe Boutique Cousin Couture
BEST RESALE SHOPPING SERENDIPITY CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE
Guardian Angel Thrift Pass It On Thrift Store
BEST FLORIST SHOP FLOWERS ON BROAD STREET
Betty Jean’s Flower Truck Expressions of Love Florist
BEST HOME FURNISHINGS AND DECOR RESCUED WOOD REHAB
Adorn Home Furnishings Southern Attic
BEST GARDEN CENTER THE GARDEN HUT
Fairview Garden Center Needmore Farms
BEST GIFT STORE BLESS YOUR HEART BOUTIQUE
Carolina Monogram & Company Rescued Wood Rehab
BEST SHOPPING DISTRICT DOWNTOWN FUQUAY-VARINA
Downtown Holly Springs Downtown Apex
BEST WINE & BOTTLE SHOP CELLAR 55
Black Dog Bottle Shop Triangle Wine Co.
DUSTIN KEMMERER, LEFT, AND JIM HARTMAN, OWNERS OF INNER BEAST HATCHET HOUSE
People come in, and they are afraid of the ax. We want guests to feel their self-confidence and release that inner beast deep down. At first they look terrified, but by the end of their time, they are whipping that (ax) like a champ. ”
– Jim Hartman Beverages are available for purchase. Food trucks are frequently in the area, or guests can bring in food from the nearby restaurants.
Inner Beast Hatchet House
BEST NEW BUSINESS
Jim Hartman, Fuquay-Varina resident of 30 years, claims the town was “desperate for something fun.” That was nine months ago, before Hartman and his nephew Dustin Kemmerer opened Inner Beast Hatchet House in historic downtown Fuquay.
Despite the risks of opening a business in a pandemic economy, Hartman knew they were on to something good, and the readers of Main & Broad clearly agree.
The ax-throwing outfit is a welcome diversion for date nights, private events, parent-child outings (children age 13 and older, please) and league competition.
Unique to Inner Beast is a digital targeting system, which allows guests to choose from a variety of throwing games, such as duck hunt, zombie kill, connect 4, or tic tac toe, in addition to traditional targets, which are all projected onto the wall.
It’s a user-friendly system that adds variety to an already fun experience.
The owners outfitted the venue with “weird crap,” such as unique taxidermy, clever signage, Sasquatch references and ever-popular Viking-style horned helmets, which are guaranteed to improve throwing accuracy zero percent but a lot of fun to wear.
Inner Beast started up their second ax-throwing league in March, with dozens of members in a sevenweek competition leading to a double-elimination tournament. “We expected maybe 20 in our first league and had 31 participants. It was a great response,” Hartman says.
JODI AND TODD STEVENS
Bless Your Heart Boutique
BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE BEST GIFT STORE
Holly Springs resident Jodi Stevens started her retail journey with an Etsy shop, selling personalized children’s clothing. Now, her thriving downtown boutique sells colorful and lively clothing, gifts and accessories.
Customer service is the top priority for Stevens, and her loyal base of customers enjoys shopping in-store, online, through weekly Facebook Live sales, a proprietary app and a texting program.
“We are very customer driven. We ask a lot of questions — what people like, what they don’t — and we listen,” says Stevens.
Previously located in the Lowes Foods shopping center on Holly Springs Road, the move to Town Hall Commons helped the boutique grow even more.
“I always wanted to be in the heart of Holly Springs, where the pulse is. We have amazing neighbors downtown, all small businesses, family-owned. It’s been a game changer,” she says.
The boutique regularly hosts give-back events collecting supplies and donations for local organizations like the Holly Springs Food Cupboard and Interact of Wake County. They raised $7,000 for Meg’s Smile Foundation in last year’s charity fashion show and hope to exceed that total this year.
JODI’S FAVORITE PRODUCTS:
Grace and Lace clothing Kendra Scott Jewelry Nora Fleming serveware Judy Blue Denim
Flowers on Broad Street
BEST FLORIST SHOP
Flowers on Broad Street celebrated 25 years in business in March.
“There’s no doubt about it, you can’t work in a flower shop and not be emotional. We see when people are at their deepest despair and the very happiest day of their lives. That’s what I love about my business, our industry — we help with emotions in those kinds of times, good or bad. I think flowers make a difference.” says owner Donna Pittman.
Downtown Fuquay-Varina
BEST SHOPPING DISTRICT
We love shopping in downtown Fuquay-Varina. The thrill of the hunt through boutiques, antique shops and vendor markets is always rewarded with a range of treasures: clothing, gifts, decor, cosmetics, vintage finds and more.
Love to shop local? Purchase Downtown Dollars from the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association to spend at a variety of shops and eateries.
Welcome to downtown newcomer Adorn Home Furnishings, awarded Honorable Mention for Best Home Furnishings.
PIEDMONT POTTERY
