Best
2024 maggy award winners inside
vibrant varina business boom
2024 maggy award winners inside
vibrant varina business boom
Fuquay-Varina
URGENT CARE
919-235-6560 • 231 North Judd Parkway
PRIMARY CARE
919-235-6410 • 231 North Judd Parkway
SURGERY
919-350-9355 • 601 Attain Street, Suite 101
HEART & VASCULAR
919-232-0322 • 231 North Judd Parkway
Holly Springs
OB-GYN
919-235-6456 • 101 Cotten Lane
PRIMARY CARE
919-235-6555 • 101 Cotten Lane, Suite 2
You’ve got this.
If you live in Fuquay-Varina or Holly Springs, you’ve got primary care. Urgent care. Cardiovascular care. General surgery. Breast and colorectal surgery. Bariatric surgery. Medical weight loss. Women’s care for every life stage. And, for everything and anything else, WakeMed Cary Hospital is close by and as full-service and sophisticated as it gets. Granted, life in The ‘Quay and Holly Springs is pretty chill as is. But a little extra convenience can do wonders for your inner peace. Visit us at wakemed.org.
Download our All Access App today.
“ At Raleigh Radiology we are focused on you.”
When you’re a patient at Raleigh Radiology, we are going to make sure you are cared for with compassion and skill. The doctors, the technologists, the records team...everyone...will make you feel like you’re part of a family.
Internationally acclaimed, Emmy-nominated, Raleigh Ringers come to the Arts Center on April 5 at 7:30 p.m. This advanced hand bell choir shares music of all styles with their distinctive brand of humor.
The haunting suspense-thriller Angel Street is on stage at the Arts Center May 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. each night. First produced under the title Gaslight, Angel Street is the story of the suavely handsome Mr. Manningham who is slowly driving his gentle, devoted wife to the brink of insanity. One of the most brilliant, suspenseful stories in modern theatre.
Paint like a pro, dance like there’s no tomorrow, or take centerstage— however you like to spend your summer days, the Arts Center has got the camp you need — there’s no limit to your creativity! A wide variety of camps are available, all designed to be fun while building skills and techniques. Camps are available from 9 -1 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer.
For more info, call the Arts Center at 919-567-3920
fvarts.org
“ Once (I) get over the fear of will I mess up? Am I talented enough? I ask: who am I trying to help? That’s what got me through it.”
– JP Jermaine Powell, artist
20
24
30 THE MAGGY AWARDS
Reader
14 SEE & DO
Spring events are underway. Outdoor festivals, concerts, and markets abound.
16 DIG IN & DRINK UP
Honey Drip brown ale from Bill’s Brewing Co.
18 MEET & GREET
Jen Grimes of Rooted Plant Supply
54 RISE & DINE
Discover your new favorite restaurant in our Dining Guide.
Restaurant Spotlight:
58 LA FARM BAKERY
Q&A with master baker
Lionel Vatinet
62 FUN & MEMES
Frequently asked questions, answered.
65 SEEN & HEARD
Community news and accolades.
66 IN FOCUS
FOOD HAS A WAY OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER. That’s why thousands of visitors follow the rumblings in their stomach to Kinston each year. Here, food isn’t just prepared and served, it’s crafted. Your farm to table meal happens at the place that invented farm to table meals. Your plate of barbecue isn’t just good, it’s best-in-the-nation good. And, that last homemade biscuit on the breakfast table, won’t be there for long. So, put your bathroom scales away, and head over to Kinston. One of the culinary capitals of the South awaits.
Totally love Moonlight lounge, and Spazio is the nicest addition to our area in ages!
“Thank you to you and your team for featuring the (Triangle Dog Of The Year Calendar Contest) on Main & Broad’s website and email. Since Monday, we’ve had 13 more dogs join the contest, and we are 62% of the way to our goal with less than two weeks left!
“ What
are you
to
”
& Broad is a proud member and supporter of all five chambers in Western Wake County: the Cary Chamber of Commerce, Apex Chamber of Commerce, Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce and Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce.
All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair
any
for real estate which is in violation of the law.
How many times have I gotten a receipt from Target or Harris Teeter with the promise of hundreds of dollars of rewards in exchange for a quick guest survey? Dozens, probably. How many times have I completed said survey? None.
So, we know there’s a significant hurdle to taking action in any online survey, poll, or contest. And we’re so appreciative of the thousands of you who took the time to vote in our readers’ choice awards in January. The small businesses and individuals you supported in this contest are even more so. From talking to and visiting many of them, it’s clear that the support of the community keeps these winners striving for excellence each day.
Turn to page 30 to discover the winners of the third annual Maggy Awards: Best of Main & Broad. Then join us to celebrate your community favorites at the Maggy Party on May 2.
As I write this letter, we are on the very edge of full-fledged spring, and the world feels full of opportunities: more daylight, warmer temps, a full events calendar (pages 14 and 15), new restaurants and shops opening, and so much life awakening in Southern Wake.
Let’s get out there and enjoy it. See you there!
More than
4,000
votes cast in the annual Maggy Awards
165
revealing personal questions answered by Fuquay-Varina Memes locations of La Farm Bakery — now including one in Fuquay-Varina businesses and individuals honored as Maggy Award winners and honorable mentions
6
5
1
APRIL 13
5–8 P.M.
HOLLY SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER
Get inspired by the creative works of local artists and artisans at this community art celebration. Witness live drawing of chalk masterpieces, and enjoy food vendors and live music as the sun sets on a springtime Saturday night.
APRIL 13
9 A.M. TO 1 P.M.
HOLLY SPRINGS FOOD CUPBOARD
621 W. HOLLY SPRINGS ROAD
Fill your garden with vegetables, herbs, and perennials from the Holly Springs Food Cupboard’s annual plant sale, with proceeds benefiting the organization’s food assistance programs. Prices range from $2 to $8. Come early for the best selection.
MAY 2 FENTON
21 FENTON MAIN ST., CARY
4:30–8 P.M.
Join the staff of Main & Broad and the Maggy Award winners (details page 30) at the annual awards ceremony and celebration at Fenton in Cary. Live music, local beers, and tasty bites from your favorite local restaurants served throughout the event.
Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina Concerts CENTENNIAL SQUARE
102 N. MAIN ST., FUQUAY-VARINA
6:30–9:30 P.M.
Fuquay’s signature outdoor concert series is back and ready to rock, with all-star local bands performing Thursday nights throughout the spring. Sip a local brew, feast on food truck fare, sing, dance, and relax with hundreds of your neighbors and friends. Bring kids and chairs; leave coolers and pets at home.
SPRING 2024 BAND SCHEDULE
April 11: The Embers
April 18: Liquid Pleasure
April 25: Crush
May 16: The Breakfast Club
APRIL 12, 5–11 P.M.
APRIL 13, 11 A.M. TO 9 P.M.
DOWNTOWN APEX
Apex Sunrise Rotary presents the 10th Annual Bone Suckin’ Sauce Peak City Pig Fest, a barbecue competition and community festival complete with live music, vendors, and a beer garden in historic downtown Apex. 42 cook teams will compete for more than $12,000 in prize money cooking chicken, ribs, beef brisket, and pork at this Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event. Don’t miss the saucy rib eating contest between the Apex Police Department and the Apex Fire Department.
APRIL 20
DOWNTOWN HOLLY SPRINGS
10 A.M. TO 4 P.M.
Join 10,000 area residents and experience the Village District packed with family fun, food trucks, a beer garden, kids’ activities, a car show, live entertainment, and more. Organized by the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce.
APRIL 27
9 A.M. TO 5 P.M.
BOND PARK, 801 HIGH HOUSE ROAD, CARY
An annual Cary tradition that honors Earth Day with a celebration of art and creativity at Cary’s Bond Park. Guests are treated to three stages of music and entertainment, activities for kids, and booths from 170 North Carolina artists.
MAY 4
10 A.M. TO 3 P.M.
THE MILL, FUQUAY-VARINA
Got to be NC Festival
MAY 17, NOON TO 10 P.M.
MAY 18, 9 A.M. TO 10 P.M.
MAY 19, 9 A.M. TO 8 P.M.
NC STATE FAIRGROUNDS
1025 BLUE RIDGE ROAD, RALEIGH
A showcase of North Carolina’s goodness, the Got to Be NC Festival is a fun-filled weekend of rides, agricultural displays, tractor parades, music, and signature NC food and beverage companies.
Ting Has Sprung:
Pickleball Classic
MAY 31 TO JUNE 2
TING PARK
Triumph Pickleball hosts a 10-court pickleball tournament all weekend long at Ting Park, with play beginning Friday morning and continuing through Sunday. Men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles divisions available, plus a Moneyball tournament where 100% of the bracket fees get divided among the medalists.
Duncan Craft Co. and The Mill co-host a pre-Mother’s Day market with more than a dozen vendors to make sure mom is spoiled. Enjoy drinks at The Mill and an on-site food truck while browsing local handmade and artisan vendor booths.
JUNE 1
7 A.M. 10K START
8:30 A.M. 5K START
9:30 A.M. KIDS FUN RUN
Run the Quay celebrates its 20th anniversary with its signature family-friendly 5k and 10k courses and kids fun run. Ambitious runners can complete the 5-Quay Challenge Event by running both courses back to back. Race shirts and finisher medals included with registration. Quench your thirst at the after-race party held at Mason Jar Lager Company, with a special anniversary beer release.
One of the flagship styles from Bill’s Brewing Co. in Wilmington, the Honey Drip Brown Ale received a gold medal at the 2023 US Open Beer Championship, and is a favorite of Mike Lyons, owner of The Corner Biergarten in Fuquay-Varina. “It’s malty, not hoppy like an IPA,” says Lyons. “A little sweet, but balanced. It appeals to a lot of people because it’s not too much in any direction.”
Brown ales often have toasty, chocolate, or caramel flavor notes and rich color.
Bill’s Brewing Co. is also known for their Pillow Talk pilsner and Electric Squeeze hazy IPA. Pick them up at The Corner Biergarten.
Jen (and her husband Collin) converted a 1998-era school bus into a mobile plant shop frequently found at the Holly Springs Farmers Market and events around town selling indoor tropical plants and coaching customers on plant care.
HISTORY: Rooted Plant Supply started as a hobby, kind of a distant dream, and because of covid we were able to have some time at home. My husband and I decided to give it a go and turn our hobby, our passion, into a business.
THE BUS: We landed on the bus as a fun, nostalgic thing you can do with a mobile shop. We completely gutted it. We took out all the seats, put in vinyl flooring and wood panels on the walls. We built shelves using old barnwood. It’s a cozy, wooden farmhouse type feel. Then we had to actually make it viable for plants to live in. It is a full greenhouse on wheels with an AC unit, heating, circulation fans, and a misting system.
PASSION FOR PLANTS: By having house plants, you bring nature into your home. It’s proven that having plants boosts your mood and productivity. It really does wonders for mental health and brings a beautiful aesthetic to people’s homes.
BEGINNERS WELCOME: There are plants for everyone. There are some truly hardy plants that are easy to care for and won’t die on you. We are really trying to encourage people and their ability to take care of a healthy plant. We recommend plants so customers can start slowly and build confidence.
ROOTED PLANTY SUPPLY
rootedplantsupply.com
@rooted_plantsupply
Popping up at the Holly Springs Farmers Market almost every Saturday.
Among Fuquay-Varina’s most celebrated amenities are the two downtown districts, historic downtown Fuquay and Varina. Local entrepreneurs continue to invest in these areas, creating unique businesses, tasty restaurants, and ample foot traffic. It’s no stretch to claim that both districts are booming.
Downtown Fuquay has seen one mixeduse development, The Q building, completed and occupied with El Cantarito Bar & Grill, Maren May’s and Ruby James boutiques,
Happy’s Country Club, and others. And a second mixed-use concept on Main Street isn’t far behind, set to complement longstanding small businesses like Ashworth’s Clothing, The Mason Jar Tavern, KnB’s Marketplace, and Stick Boy Bread Company.
“There’s so much opportunity for new growth in downtown Fuquay,” says Jeff Stevens, branch manager at First Federal Bank and board chair for the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce. “Downtown Varina is just a little bit smaller, all right there
together, and gives you the classic smalltown downtown feel.”
Stevens and his wife, Krista, opened Lollipops Children’s Boutique in Varina last October, drawn to the charm and walkability of the street as well as the community feel.
“The small business community … it’s pretty incredible, very tight knit,” says Stevens. “We just felt like being downtown somewhere was the best place for us.”
Stevens says the store’s first three
months far exceeded expectations, including even the typically slow month of January.
Lollipops Children’s Boutique was one in a string of Varina store openings in the last half of 2023 that punctuated an already lively district with new retail and hospitality destinations — The Southernly Place, SupaBowlz Cafe, and Moonlight Liquor Lounge among others.
The Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce held more than 10 events, including ribbon cuttings, business after hours, and business exchange breakfasts in the Varina district alone in 2023.
“We’re very fortunate to have businesses coming in like we do right now,” says Dustin Williams, president of the Fuquay-
Varina Chamber of Commerce. “Almost every storefront (in Varina) has a business in it. For anybody that’s working downtown right now, they’re loving that because it creates more foot traffic.”
Both Stevens and Williams point to support from the town government as one of the proponents of growth, in particular the town’s new — free — parking lot that opened in November behind Kimi’s Carpets Plus.
“You talked to anybody 5, 10 years ago and they would tell you, no, don’t open a business down there because you can’t park. That issue has been solved,” says Stevens.
Wake County’s population growth is attracting new entrepreneurs and customers to the area as well. Wake County
Economic Development reports that the county grows by 64 new residents each day, comprising 43 people moving to the area and 21 new births. While those numbers represent the entire county, Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs continue to receive a sizable share of that growth.
“If you think about our economy right now, to have a thriving downtown is a huge asset for our town,” says Williams.
“As fast as we’re growing here, (Varina) still has that small-town charm. It’s so cool to see people eating outside, shopping, and walking around down there,” says Williams.
Mark Doble, founder of Aviator Brewing Company, was charmed years ago
by downtown Varina, opening Aviator TapHouse in 2009 in the old Varina train depot.
“We are attracted to cool buildings. That place just needed to be a bar,” says Doble of the historic depot.
Since then, the Aviator brand has become an anchor of the Varina district, with Aviator Smokehouse and Aviator Pizzeria, BeerShop & Rooftop Bar flanking East Broad Street.
Doble also cites the population growth for Varina’s current boom, but the Aviator methodology is consistent, he says, in the lean economic times as well as the plenty.
“We love live music, food, and beer. We do what we are passionate about, and the people can see that.”
“
As fast as we’re growing here, (Varina) still has that small-town charm. ”
– Dustin Williams, president, Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce MB
Aviator’s next phase, a new brewery megacampus — the Disneyland of beer, Doble says — is under construction on North Street, one block off of Broad Street, where beer, food, and live music will again feature.
Doble lists a German biergarten, two restaurants, a concert venue, farmers market, cooking classes, and a vintage airplane on display in the plans.
“You can buy beer everywhere, but here you can go, sit, eat and drink, and have these experiences,” he says.
Look for the biergarten to be open this summer, with the balance opening late in the year.
Also planned for downtown Varina is a new Indian shopping and cultural experience that will include an Indian grocery store, bakery, clothing and accessories boutique, a bar, event space, cafés, and service vendors. Slated for the Stephens Hardware building on Broad Street, this project, dubbed “Largest Indian Mall” on their Facebook page, expects to open later this year.
“I can’t tell you how many people walk in (Lollipops) and say, ‘I drive up and down this road every day, and I never knew you were here,’” Stevens says. “I would definitely encourage everyone to make a trip down one day. Take a second to slow down, walk up and down the street, and see what all the downtown district has to offer. There’s a lot there.”
Rise and ride with an early cycle class at Rebel Cycle
Refuel with a smoothie bowl from SupaBowlz Cafe and a caffeine boost from Bolt Drinks and Coffee
Stroll and browse the shops along Broad Street, including Lollipops Children’s Boutique, The Vine Natural Health Shoppe, The Southernly Place Flowers on Broad Street, and SUR Furniture
Rent a remote-controlled car and race around the in-house racetrack at RC Hobby — only $10 for 30 minutes.
Meet friends for lunch at Nil’s Mediterranean Cuisine or Aviator Smokehouse
Enjoy a fresh blowout or lash lift at The Lux Loft or Big Chat Salon
Pick up pizza for dinner at J&S New York Pizza or Aviator Pizzeria & BeerShop
Finish the day with a sweet treat: an ice cream flight from Pints Ice Cream & Beer or a Banana Bread Old Fashioned or Key Lime Pie Martini at Moonlight Liquor Lounge.
Step aside, old masters: This Fuquay-Varina artist is making his mark now
At his core, JP Jermaine Powell is a storyteller. His medium isn’t words, however. Instead, the mixed-media artist uses color, texture, and shape to communicate history, purpose, and connection in his paintings.
“A lot of what I do is try to take what I’ve learned and beautify this history. It’s a very unique job, because you have to listen, and you have to filter all the information that you are getting and come up with something that when people look at it, they can say: That’s our story.”
“I try to tell the stories of North Carolina. Maybe it’s not historical all the time; maybe it’s just a bird, but the story of North Carolina is the story of nature, too,” he says.
Powell lives in Fuquay-Varina with his family — a town that “feels like home” after previously residing in New York and Maryland.
Locals may know him best as the artist behind downtown FuquayVarina’s “Welcome Home” mural at the intersection of Main Street and Vance Street.
Murals are one of Powell’s specialties. He collects inspiration from nature, from oral histories, and from observing his surroundings to enhance the sense of place in a beautiful way.
“As I’m working, I’m observing the town. For a lot of mural artists, that’s what invigorates them. You might have an idea, but the place you are working on and the environment is going to dictate that umph,” he says.
Powell has completed several larger-than-life murals across North Carolina, including locations in WinstonSalem, Chapel Hill High School, Raleigh’s Hillsborough Street, and along I-295 in Fayetteville.
FUQUAY-VARINA RESIDENT AND MIXEDMEDIA ARTIST JP JERMAINE POWELL, CURRENT ARTIST IN RESIDENCE AT THE NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF ART
POWELL IS KNOWN FOR POWERFUL PORTRAITS FULL OF BOLD COLOR, FOUND OBJECTS, AND NATURE.
Powell worked on the massive “We Are Fayetteville” mural for two months, all alone, on the side of a highway, uniting the city’s rich history and diverse communities with his practiced hand.
“That was a major project, bringing together all the different parts of the city: military, rural, government, academic. People would stop by on the highway, while I’m on a 60-foot lift, and ask questions.
“When you are done with that experience, it’s not necessarily the end of the project. Of course you want (the work) to be good, but for an artist, our takeaways are the experience with people and the growth of what we were before the project and who we are after,” says Powell.
“If (the walls) are done right, it makes people not feel so alone.”
Murals are just one element of Powell’s varied body of work, which extends to canvases, portraiture, and custompainted handbags, a product he created to make his art accessible and obtainable for a range of collectors.
“ The best measure of success for me is when people say, ‘That really tells our story.’ ”
– JP Jermaine Powell
“Handbags are very important to people. It contains their life,” says Powell. “To be able to make that beautiful and make it uniquely theirs is very special.”
Powell recently added another talent to his growing résumé: children’s book illustrator. In a collaboration with the North Carolina Museum of Art, Powell illustrated the picture book The Museum Lives in Me by Victoria Scott-Miller of Liberation Station bookstore. The book describes a group of students exploring the NCMA’s collection on a school field trip.
From that partnership, NCMA named Powell artist in residence.
“We developed the residency so that he
“ It’s a beautiful experience to see that living artists matter, that local artists matter. ”
– JP Jermaine Powell
would have the opportunity to engage with students in particular about the book and his work on it,” says Katherine White, deputy director for the NCMA.
“What’s unique about JP’s work is that he engages in so many different points of entry. He’s always got the use of money, the use of animals, the use of humans. There’s always color,” says White. “And the way he really thinks about making sure that the individuals that he’s portraying emerge in a powerful way.”
As artist in residence, Powell created a lobby installation for the museum called Imagine Love: Show Me Love that depicts Powell’s mother, wife, and children in a series of three paintings on top of a printed backdrop.
“That changed my life dramatically in the sense that I didn’t have to be dead to be (in the museum). The magnitude of it — it included my family, which was a gift, because they could see themselves in this beautiful, powerful place,” Powell says.
“It’s a beautiful experience to see that living artists matter, that local artists matter.”
“What I heard people say to me directly, including members of our staff, was that they had never felt represented in the
objects in the museum in the same way that they did when his installation went up in the lobby,” says White.
Later this fall, the museum will display a new exhibition by Powell called Leadership Reimagined
“(JP) has identified members of our community who took atypical pathways to leadership. … Together they will tell the story of reimagined leadership,” says White.
“I see them as leaders because they took initiative when they saw a problem or a barrier, and they found a purpose trying to inspire other people,” says Powell.
NCMA has long been a source of inspiration for Powell.
“Every time I got rejected, every time I had a win or an opportunity, I went there and walked around. Those men and women (artists) went through the same struggles creatively, and they left these artifacts for other people to be inspired by,” says Powell.
Powell’s signature style is a “mashup” of different techniques and artistic movements, he says.
“It’s almost like a journey,” he continues. “You take somebody’s hand with realism, then you take them on this cool journey with color, shape, abstraction. I incorporate textures and objects that people deal with in real life.”
Objects like currency, jewels, sentimental objects, and fabrics, which beckon the viewer to reach out and touch the art.
“As an artist, it seems like the challenge is breaking down the barriers of the creative world with the real world. … My job is really to communicate the connection of the human experience. That shared humanity — when everybody comes together and sees something beautiful and sees something that brings them together — that is what I do.”
jermainepowell.com
Cary
7711 Carpenter Fire Station Road
Cary, NC 27519
919-377-1802
Holly Springs
160 Solaris Lane
Holly Springs, NC 27540
919-760-4750
Schedule a Tour Today!
At Oak Village Academy™ preschool, we create and make a difference in the educational experience for young children. While learning the natural way, we also provide imaginative and encouraging indoor and outdoor learning environments with low child-to-teacher ratios.
In the heart of Holly Springs’ Main Street, the owners of Bep Vietnamese Kitchen opened Smashed Burgers & Cocktails last summer, intent on adding even more variety to the downtown dining scene. Globally inspired flavor combinations include Korean BBQ, Vietnamese Banh Mi, TexMex, and Cali burgers. There’s even a smashed burger topped with mac and cheese, and a vegetarian version made with black beans.
Thousands of Main & Broad readers cast their votes in four categories — restaurants, lifestyle, services, and shopping — naming the best of the best in an area full of amazing businesses and amenities.
Turn the page to reveal winners in the third annual Maggy Awards: Best of Main & Broad.
Did you miss the chance to vote?
Subscribe to our email newsletter and social channels to stay in the know.
BEST NEW RESTAURANT SMASHED BURGERS & COCKTAILS
Nightingale Rooftop
El Cantarito Bar & Grill
BEST FOOD TRUCK
THE PORTABLE PORTUGY
Cousins Maine Lobster
Buoy Bowls
BEST APPETIZERS MY WAY TAVERN
Vicious Fishes Tap & Kitchen
The Blind Pelican Seafood House
BEST COCKTAILS
THE BLIND PELICAN SEAFOOD HOUSE
Moonlight Liquor Lounge
Nightingale Rooftop
BEST BAKERY
STICK BOY BREAD CO.
La Farm Bakery
Fera’wyn’s Chocolate Cafe
BEST DESSERT
THE PEACH COBBLER FACTORY
Stick Boy Bread Co.
The Mason Jar Tavern
BEST BARBECUE
DADDY D’S BBQ
Aviator Smokehouse
Skipper’s Seafood & Smokehouse
BEST BREAKFAST
EGGS UP GRILL
First Watch
Brus on Main
In a state with an ongoing barbecue competition, Daddy D’s aims to satisfy every palate. Slow-cooked brisket, ribs, chicken, and pork — pulled and chopped — are carefully tended by pitmaster Jimmy “Pork Chop” Davis, a barbecue veteran of 20 years.
“We don’t go off time; we go off temperature for each individual piece of meat,” says Davis — an extra effort that creates the juiciest results.
“We have sauce to please everyone,” Davis adds: Eastern, sweet Kansas City style, hot and spicy, and a housemade cheese sauce. Southern sides like collard greens, green beans, and mac and cheese are all made from scratch.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
The french fries are near perfection, y’all. Thin, crispy, and well seasoned. Order them.
Just off the beaten path in the Holly Springs Village District, My Way Tavern draws in residents and regulars with quality comfort food, signature cocktails, and plenty of local beer.
“There’s a very hometown feel,” says manager Dustin Harrington, “the same guys in the same seats every day.”
After 14 years of serving Holly Springs, My Way Tavern knows how to take classic bar food and elevate it in creative ways. Take the Sriracha Burger with spicy aioli, fried banana peppers, and a sunny side up egg; or the flashfried Brussels sprouts topped with blue cheese and balsamic glaze — chef’s kiss.
BEST BURGER AND FRIES
MY WAY TAVERN
Smashed Burgers & Cocktails
Vicious Fishes Tap & Kitchen
BEST DATE-NIGHT RESTAURANT OSHA THAI
KITCHEN & SUSHI
The Blind Pelican Seafood House
Garibaldi Trattoria
BEST COFFEE HOUSE CULTIVATE COFFEE ROASTERS
Thanks A Latte
The Mill
BEST SEAFOOD THE BLIND PELICAN SEAFOOD HOUSE
Skipper’s Seafood & Smokehouse
Peaches are always in season and baked fresh daily at The Peach Cobbler Factory in FuquayVarina, the franchise’s first Triangle-area location. But cobbler isn’t the only option on the menu — banana pudding, cinnamon rolls, oversized cookies, ice cream, and more ensure a sticky-sweet Southern sugar rush.
Vicious Fishes Tap & Kitchen
BEST PIZZERIA
J&S NEW YORK PIZZA
Anna’s Pizzeria
Assaggio’s Pizzeria Ristorante
BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT OSHA THAI
KITCHEN & SUSHI
Mei Wei Chinese and Thai Restaurant
Dan Sushi & Hibachi Restaurant
BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT NIL’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
The Gyro Spot
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT GARIBALDI TRATTORIA
Mamma Mia Italian Bistro
Vieni Ristobar
BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT ZEERA INDIAN RESTAURANT
Inis Kitchen
Chaska Indian Restaurant
BEST MEXICAN/LATIN AMERICAN RESTAURANT MI CANCUN MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila El Cantarito Bar & Grill
BEST HEALTHY-DINING OPTIONS NIL’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
SupaBowlz Cafe
Lovegrass Kitchen
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR MY WAY TAVERN
The Corner Biergarten
The Blind Pelican Seafood House
BEST OUTDOOR DINING AVIATOR TAPHOUSE
Vicious Fishes Tap & Kitchen Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi
BEST CRAFT BREWERY BOMBSHELL BEER COMPANY
Oaklyn Springs Brewery Aviator Brewing Company
Portuguese cuisine encompasses many regional nuances, and Chef Shawn Dagnall of The Portable Portugy food truck explores them all.
“We make all varieties of Portuguese dishes, including mainland Portugal, the Azores, Brazil, Cape Verde, African, Hawaiian, and Asian — wherever people speak Portuguese, we explore their use of the cuisine,” says Dagnall.
Catch the truck before it sells out of specialties like Portuguese custard tarts, or pasteis de nata, Piri Piri chicken sandwiches, Lingucia dogs, and Bifana.
Guests can’t help but be cheerful inside of Mi Cancun Mexican Restaurant in Holly Springs — the chips and salsa are plentiful, the menu is deep, the décor is colorful, and the food arrives quickly. Featuring all the classic Mexican dishes you expect, plus plenty of variety, including Molcajete, a sizzling skillet filled with grilled meat, onions, and sliced potatoes; and Pina del Mar, a pineapple filled with shrimp, fish, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes.
Tantalizingly colorful cocktails turn every day into a celebration.
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL
APEX FRIENDSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
Fuquay-Varina High School
Herbert Akins Road
Elementary School
BEST NONPROFIT MILITARY MISSIONS IN ACTION
Holly Springs Food Cupboard Fuquay-Varina Duck Duck Jeep
BEST PRESCHOOL OAK VILLAGE ACADEMY
Primrose Schools
Johnson Pond Learning Center
BEST LOCAL EVENT OR FESTIVAL HOLLYFEST
BBQ, Blues, & Brews
Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival
BEST PLACE FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION
PARRISH WOMBLE PARK
Hilltop Needmore Town Park & Preserve Bass Lake Park
BEST FITNESS PROGRAM LEVEL 6 TRAINING
Bradley’s Yoga & Fitness Original Strength Institute
BEST KIDS’ PROGRAM OR CAMP ROCK SOLID WARRIOR
Lune Spark Center for Creativity
Fuquay-Varina Arts Center
Emmitt Terrell, founder of Fuquay-Varina’s Level 6 Training, found his passion for fitness coaching as a collegiate athlete at Cornell University.
“You spend more time working out for football, in the physical preparation to get the body ready, than in the football season,” Terrell says. During those long gym sessions, Terrell enjoyed the positive, yet challenging environment spent with teammates. He brings that same experience to the members of Level 6.
“It’s an uplifting and supportive atmosphere,” says Terrell, who knows all his clients by name. “Wherever you are starting from, you can do it.”
Group training sessions last 45 minutes and incorporate high-intensity interval training and free weights. Semi-private sessions focus on building strength through heavier weight lifting.
“We want to help you meet and exceed your goals, to pursue the best version of yourself,” Terrell says.
BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO BRADLEY’S YOGA & FITNESS
YogaSIX
Neighborhood Barre
BEST LOCAL MUSIC GROUP OR ARTIST
STRAY VOLTS
Maverick Rose 2Digh4
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT TODAY IN THE QUAY
Fuquay-Varina Memes
The Blind Pelican Seafood House
BEST LOCAL PODCAST PLANNING MATTERS RADIO WITH PETER RICHON
The E-Spot with Camille Kauer
3 Drinks In with FVM
BEST SPOT FOR A FRIENDS’ NIGHT OUT INNER BEAST HATCHET HOUSE
The Corner Biergarten Nightingale Rooftop
Best Social Media Account
Jason Wunsch shares positive news stories to an audience of more than 24,000 followers on his Facebook page Today in the Quay, which will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary. Wunsch highlights economic development news, youth sports, local entrepreneurs, and feel-good hometown stories, often taking submissions from readers.
He also publishes a weekly email newsletter to subscribers, serves on the Fuquay-Varina Board of Commissioners, and works locally as an attorney.
“At the end of the day, I want everyone to know how wonderful we are in the town of Fuquay-Varina — not just the government, but the people. It’s a neat town,” Wunsch says.
With Angie on lead vocals and guitar, Jeremy on drums and lighting, John on bass and vocals, and Marcel on lead guitar, Stray Volts delivers a concert-like experience, covering songs from a wide variety of genres and infusing their signature hard rock sound. Rock, pop, country, and blues from the 1980s to the 2020s are all fair game on an ever-changing setlist that includes crowd-pleasing mashups and originals, too.
Catch the band out and about in the Triangle, frequenting Back Then Bar & Grill, Tap Yard Raleigh, and more.
EKIN,
BEST AUTO MECHANIC SHOP
FUQUAY TIRE AND AUTOMOTIVE CENTER
Getz Automotive
Carroll’s Tire and Auto Center
BEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION COASTAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
INC
State Employees’ Credit Union Fidelity Bank
BEST CUSTOM HOME BUILDER/ HOME RENOVATION SPECIALIST
EKIN CONTRACTING INC.
Big Monkey Renovation & Repair, Inc.
Butler Homes
BEST MORTGAGE OFFICER
BONNIE O’BRIEN, GOPRIME MORTGAGE
Diane Kinlaw, Revolution Mortgage Mark Wooten, First Home Mortgage
BEST INSURANCE AGENT CHRISTINE WALORZ, WALORZ INSURANCE
Nash Atkins, State Farm Charlene Ballesteros, RUinsured
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT KRISTA ABSHURE, THE ABSHURE REALTY GROUP
Tracy Cook, Community First Realty Anna Powell, Anna Powell Real Estate
BEST HOME SERVICES
BEST CLEAN EVER
H2D Concrete Specialists Life, Simplified
Neon signs and a cheerful gallery wall greet clients of The Foilery hair salon in Holly Springs, owned by sisters Jennifer Hawley and Karen Cribb.
“I’m in the salon more than I am in my house,” says Hawley. “I want it to feel like an extension of my home.”
In addition to the sisters, eight independent stylists work in The Foilery transforming area residents with cut, color, extensions, and updos.
“It’s a place where stylists can be themselves,” says Hawley — and, consequently, perform their best work, while allowing clients to feel pampered.
“It’s an honor to be able to transform people and to give them a place to relax and chill,” Hawley says.
BEST DOCTOR
DR. IOANNA GIATIS KESSLER, WAKEMED PRIMARY CARE
Dr. Jason deVente, Fuquay Varina Family Practice
TIE: Dr. Sarah Ryan, UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Holly Springs
Dr. J. Daniel Shoffner, Fuquay-Varina Pediatrics
BEST EYE DOCTOR
DR. PHIL VITO, HOLLY SPRINGS EYE ASSOCIATES
Dr. Barrett Martin, Johnson Optometric Associates
TIE: Dr. Andrew May, Johnson Optometric Associates
Dr. Greg Stockbridge, Clarity Vision
BEST CHIROPRACTOR
DR. TAYLOR COX, HOMETOWN CHIROPRACTIC
Dr. Sean Hammonds, Foundations Health & Wellness
Dr. Evan Kahn, North State Sport & Spine
BEST DENTIST
DR. MIKE HAMBY, HAMBY FAMILY DENTAL CENTER
Dr. Bryden McCormick, Fuquay Family Dentistry
Dr. Megan Farrelly, Campbell & Farrelly Dentistry
BEST ORTHODONTIST
DR. KRISTEN FRITZ, FRITZ & WILSON ORTHODONTICS
Dr. Tony Khara, Khara Orthodontics
Dr. Joseph Pittman, Pittman Family Orthodontics
BEST ATTORNEY
JOHN ADCOCK, ADCOCK LAW FIRM
Kara Daniels Hand, Daniels Hand Law
Linda Johnson, Senter, Stephenson, Johnson, PA
“It is so satisfying to know I am helping someone know their family will be taken care of,” says Christine Walorz, an independent insurance agent specializing in life insurance — “the most important kind.”
Walorz works with clients of all ages, from babies to seniors, to find the best coverage for each unique situation. As an independent agent, she represents dozens of insurance companies.
“I can find the right protection for my clients. It’s not one size fits all,” Walorz says.
Under the life insurance umbrella, Walorz also assists individuals and small-businesses owners with tax-free retirement solutions and debt elimination.
“It is so important to have life insurance that you own, not just through your employer, to give you peace of mind and enable you to take care of your family if you aren’t there.”
“I love what I do,” she says. “I still celebrate every piece of coverage that gets approved.”
BEST HAIR SALON
THE FOILERY
Salon Revive
TIE: The LUX Loft
Big Chat Salon & Spa
BEST SPA
THE FLOAT SPA HOLLY SPRINGS
Serasana
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
BEST PET SERVICES POOCH PAD
Town and Country Veterinary Hospital
Wags to Riches
BEST NEW BUSINESS (NON-RESTAURANT)
LUNE SPARK CENTER FOR CREATIVITY
Ruby James Children’s Boutique Happy’s Country Club
BEST CLOTHING BOUTIQUE BLESS YOUR HEART BOUTIQUE
Ruby James Children’s Boutique
The Wardrobe Boutique
BEST RESALE SHOPPING GUARDIAN ANGEL THRIFT
Serendipity Consignment Boutique KnB’s Marketplace
BEST FLORIST SHOP FLOWERS ON BROAD STREET
Betty Jean’s Flower Truck Preston Flowers and Gifts
The thrill of the hunt isn’t the only cause for excitement at Guardian Angel Thrift in Fuquay-Varina. Eighty percent of profits generated at the three storefronts (Guardian Angel Thrift, Little Angel Children’s Thrift, and Thrifttronics) goes to Alzheimer’s research.
“You are shopping for a cause,” says Lynette Somers, executive director. The organization has raised and donated $3 million to research already, and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Shoppers can browse an abundant selection of gently used furniture, linens, kitchenware, home décor, sporting equipment, and clothing. Little Angel Children’s Thrift sells children’s clothing, toys and accessories, while electronics are all located at Thrifttronics.
Before hitting the sales floor, donations go through a careful cleaning and mending process. Clothing, linens, and stuffed animals are washed and sterilized. Small repairs, such as steadying wobbly furniture or replacing bike tires, are made as needed to ensure items are in working condition.
Somers shares the inside scoop on two of the store’s “hidden gems.”
“We get a lot of health care items — wheelchairs, walkers, shower seats, crutches — people use them for a short period then donate them. Art and craft supplies are located on the back wall. Yarn, paint — there are all kinds of craft items there.”
GUARDIAN ANGEL EMPLOYS AROUND 45 PEOPLE TO SORT, CLEAN, AND PREPARE DONATIONS, AS WELL AS STAFF THE STORES.
LYNETTE SOMERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND MARK DANIELS, OPERATIONS MANAGER OF GUARDIAN ANGEL. SALES FROM THE ORGANIZATION’S TRIO OF THRIFT STORES BENEFIT ALZHEIMER’S RESEARCH.
BEST HOME FURNISHINGS AND DECOR
RESCUED WOOD REHAB
Adorn Home Furnishings
Curated Craft Marketplace
BEST GARDEN CENTER THE GARDEN HUT
Garden Supply Company
Fairview Garden Center
BEST GIFT STORE BLESS YOUR HEART BOUTIQUE
Curated Craft Marketplace
The Shoppes on Main
BEST SHOPPING DISTRICT FENTON
Fuquay-Varina Downtown
Holly Springs Village District
BEST WINE & BOTTLE SHOP THE CORNER BIERGARTEN
Cellar 55
Wine 100
Pulling double duty as a bottle shop and neighborhood bar, The Corner Biergarten specializes in German and craft beer, heavy on North Carolina breweries outside of the Triangle (think Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Wilmington, and Asheville).
“We usually buy a small amount (of each beverage) and cycle through to keep it fresh. Customers frequently come in asking, ‘What’s new?’” says owner Mike Lyons.
“We love all beer and appreciate German beer’s classic styles. There’s a reason they’ve been brewing for 600 years,” Lyons says.
TCB hosts events every Saturday night, with trivia, music bingo, and karaoke among them.
“We want to be welcoming for everybody — a chill atmosphere for parents, kids, and dogs to hang out,” Lyons says.
TCB also earned honorable mention for Best Spot for a Friends’ Night Out.
Best New Business (Non-Restaurant)
Lune Spark Center for Creativity believes that every young creative deserves the opportunity to explore and refine their passions — which is why center founder Pawan Mishra hears so often from parents some variation of “I wish I had this place while growing up!”
At this state-of-the-art learning center, a three-step approach encompassing Discovery (Try It), Focus (Master It), and Expression (Showcase) supports the Lune Spark mission of inspiring and nurturing the next generation of creatives.
Historical letter folding and sealing workshop, anyone? How about a digital character design, audio engineering, or portrait photography class?
“The most sought-after learning opportunities at our center revolve around hands-on classes in drawing, painting, digital art, acting, theater productions, and music composition,” says Mishra.
Part showroom, part workshop, Rescued WOOD Rehab is a friendly, welcoming space that handles woodworking projects of any scale, from a simple shelf to a live-edge dining table.
Expertly made decor and gifts, including salt and pepper sets, cutting and charcuterie boards, and turned bowls by local artisans line the walls, and shop dog Bud is frequently on site to greet customers and keep a watchful eye.
“We also sell wood for you to build your own custom project,” says owner Marty Woodward. “We like being a local woodshop where people can come out and work on projects.”
BACKSTORY: There are tons of antique stores, but not many furniture stores here. I (Samantha) grew up in Angier and remember riding around all over with my mom shopping for furniture, and it was a nightmare.
NOT-SO GRAND OPENING: We opened way before we were ready (in November 2021). We still had renovations going on. We had plastic up (in the windows), but it was non-stop knocking. Why are we not just letting people browse around, as long as they were OK with a half store? Everyone was like, “We don’t care; we just want furniture.”
INSTANT GRATIFICATION: People’s style preferences and budgets are all over the place in this area, but one thing everyone has in common is they want stuff NOW. Our store can be a mess sometimes because we are selling off of our floor every single day.
ON STYLE: We don’t focus on one particular style, wanting to appeal to the variety of customers who live in Southern Wake. This area is becoming such a melting pot of personalities and cultures.
ON QUALITY: We offer furniture that is custom, that you normally would have to wait six months for. We just put very popular items, nice classic styles, on order in neutral fabrics. Much of it is built in North Carolina, eight-way hand-tied, water repellent, in durable fabrics. You can actually sit down on something and try it out, not order from a catalog.
SMALL-TOWN OBSESSED: Going to a smaller town, I (Ben) was skeptical. Now that we are here, I love the people and sense of community. I couldn’t imagine going back to Charlotte.
Unsure where to eat today? Look no further than this selection of local eateries & cafes.
Abbey Road Tavern and Grill
“Signature Beatle burgers and live entertainment.”
711 N. Main St.; Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-7731; abbeyroadnc.com
Anna’s Pizzeria
“Piping hot pizzas and mouthwatering Italian food.” 138 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 285-2497; annaspizzeria.com
Aviator Pizzeria & BeerShop
“Brick oven pizza & craft beer.”
601 E. Broad St., Fuquay Varina (919) 346-8206; aviatorbrew.com
Aviator SmokeHouse BBQ Restaurant
“All of our food is made in-house.”
525 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-7675; aviatorbrew.com
Assaggio’s Pizzeria Ristorante
“Top quality ingredients go into every dish.”
941 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-9505; assaggios-fuquay.com
Bluegrass Bagels
“Quality food, fast.”
100 Dickens Rd., Fuquay-Varina (919) 285-4980; bluegrassbagels.com
Brus on Main
“Quaint cafe serving New York coffee, bakery treats and breakfast.”
135 S. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina (607) 745-2512; @brusonmain
El Cantarito Bar & Grill
“Experience the full spectrum that is Mexican food.”
155 S Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 285-3781; elcantaritobarandgrill.com
Cellar 55 Tasting Room
“Chef specials Friday and Saturday nights.”
1351 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 446-1156; cellar55.com
Cleveland Draft House
“Great food, great service, at a great price.” 1420 East Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 659-5500; clevelanddrafthouse.com
The Corner Biergarten
“Bar & bottle shop.”
1625 N. Main St., Suite 133, Fuquay-Varina (919) 246-6649; tcbiergarten.com
Cultivate Coffee Roasters
“Modern industrial twist on a small town coffee shop.”
128 S. Fuquay Ave., Fuquay Varina (919) 285-4067; www.cultivate.coffee
Culver’s of Fuquay-Varina
“ButterBurgers and frozen custard made fresh every day.”
1860 Cinema Dr., Fuquay-Varina (919) 285-2360; culvers.com
Daddy D’s BBQ
“Slow cooked with love.”
1526 Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-6464; daddydsbbqnc.com
Dan Sushi & Hibachi
“Mixing chic and contemporary with a traditional Japanese menu.”
1313 N Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 577-8000; dansushihibachi.com
Eggs Up Grill
“Breakfast favorites served all day.”
1436 N. Main St, Fuquay-Varina (919) 285-4463; eggsupgrill.com
El Dorado
“Enjoy the most delicious Mexican food amongst family.”
112 E. Vance St, Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-0287; eldoradomexicanrestaurant.com
Fiesta Time Bar & Grill
“Colorful cocktails and Mexican cuisine.”
1063 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 285-3393
Fiiz Drinks
“Drink it your way soda and snack shop.” 7401 Sunset Lake Road, Fuquay-Varina 919-278-7350; fiizdrinks.com
Garibaldi Trattoria Pizza & Pasta
“Authentic Italian cuisine and quality service.” 900 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-8868; garibalditrattoria.com
The Gyro Spot
“Three friends from Greece who want to share the recipes they grew up loving.”
1005 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina (919) 285-3608; thegyrospotnc.com
The Healthy Spot
“Meal replacement smoothies and energizing teas.”
961 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-5373; @healthyspotfuquay
HWY 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries
“All-American diner experience.”
3419 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 567-3007; hwy55.com
J&S New York Pizza
“Family-owned and operated Italian restaurant.”
500 Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-6921; jandsnypizza.com
Johnny’s Pizza
“An amazing array of different NY-style pizzas.”
722 N. Judd Parkway N, Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-6322; johnnyspizzafuquay.com
Joyce & Family Restaurant
“Home cooked Southern favorites.”
129 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 567-1717; @joyceandfamily
Kumo Sushi Hibachi
“Traditional Japanese menu in a chic setting.”
2916 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 986-0983; kumosushi401hwy.com
Little Portugal NC
“Market and eatery celebrating traditional Portuguese dishes.”
736 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 586-7144; littleportugalnc.com
Los Tres Magueyes
“We prepare our food fresh daily.”
401 Wake Chapel Road, Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-3957; lostresmagueyes.com
The Mason Jar Tavern
“All the comforts of Southern hospitality with a modern twist.”
305 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-5555; themasonjartavern.com
Mei Wei Asian Diner
“A wide array of authentic Chinese and Thai food.”
1424 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-7128; meiweinc.com
The Mill
“Coffee. Beer. Wine. Community.”
146 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-2123; themillfuquay.com
New Rainbow Chinese
“Classic and popular Chinese favorites.”
3427 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 567-8272; newrainbowchinesefood.com
Nil’s Mediterranean Cuisine
“Mediterranean cuisine and a creative menu.”
513 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina (984) 223-2928; nilscafefuquayvarina.com
Peach Cobbler Factory
“Delightful desserts that feel like grandma’s kitchen.”
8105 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh (919) 307-8137; peachcobblerfactory.com
Pelican’s SnoBalls
“Smooth, fluffy ice combined with bold flavors.”
712 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 662-3979; pelicanssnoballs.com
Pints Ice Cream & Beer
“Homemade ice cream and craft beers.”
512 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina @pintsicecream
Stick Boy Bread Co.
“Handcrafted baked goods from scratch … all natural ingredients.”
127 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-2237; stickboyfuquay.com
SupaBowlz Cafe
“Your healthy fast casual restaurant.”
411 Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (984) 800-785; supabowlzcafe.com
Tacos Oaxaca
“Made-from-scratch tacos and more.”
1324 N. Main St.; Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-0826
Tio’s
“Pizza. Empanadas. Wings.”
2916 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina 919-762-0095; tiosnc.com
Triple Barrel Tavern
“Restaurant, sports bar & billiards.”
2221 N Grassland Drive, Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-0940; @triplebarreltavernfuquayvarina
Vicious Fishes Tap & Kitchen
“Eclectic twists on comfortable bar food.”
132 S. Fuquay Ave., Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-7876; viciousfishes.com/fuquay-nc
Wingin’ It Bar and Grille
“Family-friendly neighborhood pub.”
1625 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-0962; winginitbarandgrille.com
Wing It On
“Chicken like a champ.”
1061 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (984) 225-2141; wingiton.com
Zaxby’s
“Indescribably good.”
1341 N Main St, Fuquay Varina (919) 552-3981; zaxbys.com
Zeera Indian Restaurant
“Authentic goodness in traditional Indian food.”
1311 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-6215; zeeranc.com
Acme Pizza Co.
“Chicago-style deep dish pizza.”
204 Village Walk Dr, Holly Springs (919) 552-8800; acmepizzaco.com
Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila
“Crafted with love using traditional Mexican recipes passed down through generations.”
303 Mathews Dr, Holly Springs (919) 367-6233; ayetoronc.com
Bass Lake Draft House
“34 beers on tap.”
124 Bass Lake Rd, Holly Springs (919) 567-3251; basslakedrafthouse.com
Bellini Italian Cuisine
“A real taste of Italy through authentic Italian Cuisine.”
7256 GB Alford Hwy, Holly Springs (919) 552-0303; bellinitaliancuisinehollysprings.com
BEP Vietnamese Kitchen
“Traditional Vietnamese cuisine and boba teas.”
300 S. Main St, Holly Springs (919) 285-2477; bepnc.com
Bestow Baked Goods
“Life is too short for grocery store desserts.” 4208 Lassiter Road, Holly Springs (919) 473-9225; bestowbakedgoods.com
Blaze Pizza
“Fast fire’d, perfectly crisp perfection.”
316 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 261-5950; blazepizza.com
The Blind Pelican
“Creative seafood and boat drinks.”
120 Bass Lake Road; Holly Springs (984) 225-2471; blindpelicanseafood.com
The Butcher’s Market
“Premium meats and specialty grocery.”
4200 Lassiter Rd, Holly Springs (919) 267-919); thebutchersmarkets.com
Cristo’s Bistro
“Hand tossed NY style pizza.”
5217 Sunset Lake Rd, Holly Springs (919) 363-8852, cristosbistro.com
Dave’s Hot Chicken
“Juicy, hand-breaded chicken spiced-to-order.”
114 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (984) 600-3093; daveshotchicken.com
Eggs Up Grill
“Breakfast favorites served all day.”
4216 Lassiter Road, Holly Springs (919) 495-4530; eggsupgrill.com
Fera’wyn’s Chocolate Cafe
“Forget love, I’d rather fall in chocolate.”
652 Holly Springs Road, Holly Springs (415) 758-3296; ferawyns.com
Fiesta Mexicana
“Authentic. Hot. Fresh.”
428 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs (919) 346-1330; fiestamexicananc-hollysprings.com
First Watch
“Traditional and innovative creations for breakfast, brunch and lunch.”
304 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 808-4603; firstwatch.com
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
“Great food without a long wait.”
221 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 557-3475; freddysusa.com
Greek Basma
“Greek food that is fresh, healthy and delicious.” 7272 GB Alford Hwy, Holly Springs ((919) 285-080; greekbasma.com
Hickory Tavern
“Something for every appetite.”
401 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs (919) 557-2064; thehickorytavern.com
Homegrown Pizza
“Pizza, calzones and sandwiches.”
4928 Linksland Drive, Holly Springs (919) 577-5575; homegrownpizza.com
JT’s Creamery
“Hand-crafted ice cream.”
300 S Main Street, Suite 112, Holly Springs (984) 268-6321; jtscreamery.com
Kobe Hibachi and Sushi
515 N.Main Street, Holly Springs (919) 557-1437; kobehollyspringsnc.com
Mama Bird’s Cookies + Cream
“A unique spin on a timeless dessert.”
304 N. Main St., Holly Springs (919) 762-7808; mamabirdsicecream.com
Mamma Mia Italian Bistro
“Pasta runs in our family.”
300 S Main Street, Suite 200, Holly Springs (919) 766-8000; mammamianc.com
Mi Cancun Mexican Restaurant
“Mexican cuisine with a modern twist.”
324 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 552-9979; micancunmx.com
Michelangelos Pizza
“Pizza buffet for lunch and dinner.”
7280 GB Alford HWY, Holly Springs (919) 557-4992; michelangelospizza.com
My Way Tavern
“Freshly made all-American foods.”
301 W. Center St., Holly Springs (919) 285-2412; mywaytavern.com
Niche Wine Lounge
“Tranquility by the glass.”
109 Main St., Holly Springs (919) 552-2300; nichewinelounge.com
Nightingale Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
“Small plates and big views atop Holly Springs.”
300 S. Main St., Suite 312, Holly Springs (919) 299-2004; nightingalerooftop.com
The Nutrition Fix
“Healthy fast food alternatives.”
424 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs (919) 341-5554; @thenutritionfixnc
The Original N.Y. Pizza
“Bringing a taste of New York to North Carolina.”
634 Holly Springs Road, Holly Springs (919) 567-0505; theoriginalnypizza.com
Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi
“Authentic Thai cuisine: well-balanced dishes bursting with flavor.”
242 S. Main Street, Holly Springs (984) 538-6742; oshathaikitchennc.com
Pimiento Tea Room
“Not your mama’s tea room.”
200 N. Main Street, Holly Springs (984) 225-4213, pimientotearoom.com
Rise Southern Biscuits & Chicken
“The best dang biscuits.”
169 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 586-7343; risebiscuitsdonuts.com
Skrimp Shack
“Casual seafood cuisine.”
7244 Alford Hwy, Holly Springs (919) 335-3924; theskrimpshack.com
Smashed Burgers & Cocktails
“Burger day is every day.”
242 South Main Street, Holly Springs (919) 390-2274; smashednc.com
Spazio Vino & Cucina
“Authentic Italian flavors with a modern flair.”
128 Bass Lake Rd., Holly Springs (919) 500-6481; spazioromana.com
SupaBowlz Cafe
“Beautiful and delicious bowls, wraps and salads.”
150 West Holly Springs Rd, Holly Springs (984) 225-2656; supabowlzcafe.com
Sweet Southern SnoBalls
“Shaved ice and Hershey’s Ice Cream.”
527 N. Main St., Holly Springs (919) 291-3355; @sweetsouthsnoballs
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
“A fresh celebration of the Mediterranean diet.”
108 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (984) 266-1226; tazikis.com
Thai Thai Cuisine
“Home cooked Thai food.”
108 Osterville Drive, Holly Springs (919) 303-5700; thaithaicuisinenc.com
Thanks A Latte
“Coffee and gift boutique.”
1118 Kentworth Drive, Holly Springs (919) 577-0070; thanksalattegiftsnc.com
Town Hall Burger & Beer
“Neighborhood beer and burger joint.”
301 Matthews Dr, Holly Springs (919) 335-5388; Townhallburgerandbeer.com
Vieni Ristobar
“Handmade pasta, pizza, and sauces.”
242 S. Main Street, Holly Springs (984) 225-1134; vieniristobar.com
Zaxby’s
“Indescribably good.”
101 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 762-0432; zaxbys.com
What started as a pop-up shop in 2021 has now become an established fixture in Fuquay-Varina.
La Farm Bakery at 1900 Broad Street delights patrons daily with European-style artisan pastries, freshly baked breads, sandwiches, and more. The business received Honorable Mention props as one of the area’s best bakeries in this year’s Maggy Awards: Best of Main & Broad
We caught up with French Master Baker Lionel Vatinet, who co-owns La Farm with wife, Missy Vatinet, to reflect on how the operation has thrived over the past 25 years since opening the first location in Cary.
DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE AS COPROPRIETOR OF LA FARM.
We have always said, “While you’re sleeping, we’re baking!” — and this continues to be true. While we do get more sleep at night these days thanks to our incredible team of bakers, we are still up very early every morning checking on our team and giving the dough a pat.
Once the initial baking is complete and our children are at school, we have R&D meetings with our teams, and our partners, such as Whole Foods Market. We try to visit every location each day. We’re fortunate to have such a strong team across our stores and in our bread truck and at area farmers markets. There is always work to do and bread to bake!
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE BUSINESS?
It’s been an honor to break bread with our community every day, and on so many special occasions and holidays.
Even since first opening and accepting IOUs in place of cash, we wouldn’t change a thing.
DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR PROCESS WHEN IT COMES TO DEVELOPING NEW BREADS, PASTRIES, OR OTHER BAKED GOODS?
While our bakers are deeply committed to maintaining the utmost nutrition and authenticity in our products, we also empower them to innovate regularly. Each month, through our Du Jour Features, they’re encouraged to explore new ideas and flavors, drawing inspiration from tradition while infusing creativity into their craft. This approach fosters a culture of excitement and fun around innovation.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST REQUESTED RECIPE?
For years, people have expressed a keen interest in recreating La Farm Bakery in
SIGNATURE LA FARM BOULE
A light sourdough made with a special combination of locally milled flours including NC Carolina Ground cold-stone ground cracked whole wheat
WHITE CHOCOLATE BAGUETTE
Made with Belgian white chocolate swirled in a French mini baguette
ASIAGO PARMESAN
A slow-fermented sourdough marbled throughout with large parmesan and asiago chunks
MULTIGRAIN LOAF
A healthy, high-fiber bread packed with nine grains, including flax seed grains and seeds
LA FARM BANANA BREAD
Made Old World style with ripened bananas and sweetened batter
their own kitchens. Now, we’re thankful to be able to offer our book, A Passion for Bread: Lessons from a Master Baker, where we share our most beloved breads.
WHAT MAKES THE WHITE CHOCOLATE BAGUETTE SUCH AN ADDICTIVE CUSTOMER FAVORITE?
It’s such a unique combination of sweet and salty. A savory baguette with white chocolate that caramelizes as it bakes, it’s been one of our most distinctive breads for decades.
OVER THE 25 YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS, HAVE YOU HAD ANY BREAD EXPERIMENTS THAT FELL FLAT?
Every month we test many recipes, but only a couple make it into our assortment. It’s been exciting because each time we showcase a new grain like Einkorn, Carolina Gold Rice, or Heirloom Wrens Abruzzi Rye, for instance, our
community has been so receptive and seem just as excited as we are for these high-fiber, nutrient-rich breads.
When we introduced our Einkorn bread, it was sold out in all locations by 10 a.m. We were beyond excited because not only do these breads taste good, but they are incredibly healthy.
The most challenging part of running a multi-unit bakery, which operates 24 hours a day, is not getting to personally interact every day with all our customers and teams. Each individual is important to us. We’re thankful to have an incred-
ible team of passionate bread lovers who represent our bakers while we’re sleeping.
We’ve listened closely to our customers who have expressed a desire for their own La Farm Bakery closer to their homes. In the past six months, we have opened stores in Fuquay-Varina and the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Our goal continues to be to better serve our Triangle-area communities.
Our bakers are working on some exciting new grains, specifically Kernza. We’re studying and testing a lower sodium bread, and adding turmeric, Ceylon cinnamon, and ginger, which can support wellness. Get ready to taste many more new, healthy breads soon!
lafarmbakery.com
FUQUAY-VARINA MEMES
(also known as FVM) is a freelance writer, meme guru, and an anonymous resident of Fuquay-Varina. She is the creator and manager of the FuquayVarina Memes Facebook page and has a talent for making people laugh and always taking the joke too far.
fuquaymemes thefvmemes
The vast majority of you reading this should be working or doing laundry. Don’t deny it. I roped you in with the “Frequently Asked Questions” title because you’re all nosy stalkers at heart.
Instead of being productive, here you are jumping to the sordid back pages of the magazine when you really should be on Teams or cleaning out your filthy car.
If you’re trying to figure out why a classy publication like Main & Broad would continue to publish unhinged content, month after month, then read on and hear my story. Just kidding, they made a deal with a devil at a crossroads, and I’m their eternal punishment (obviously).
Anyways, as I’m sure you can guess, my inbox on both Instagram and Facebook is always full with meme ideas, funny pictures, and questions. Many, many questions. Because time is of the essence I’m lazy, here are the top five I’m willing to answer, because a little bit of mystery is sexy rednecks be crazy, and anonymity is how I sleep at night.
Without further ado, here are the TOP 5 questions I have received
as Fuquay Memes.
When I first started meme-ing on Facebook back in 2016, I had no intention of being anonymous. I figured I’d have a max of 50 followers, and most would be my own Facebook friends who I invited to like the page. I thought it would just be a “look what I did” type of thing; my friends and I would HAHAHAHA, and then we’d forget the page existed.
That was not to be. I shared the page in one group, and from there it “went viral,” because obviously memes are life.
2016 was an election year, and I figured everyone needed something to laugh at, so the timing was just right. After accumulating a few hundred followers, the Chads and the Karens of the world took my jokes very personally (duh), and as the page continued to grow, the dark side of the internet creeped up in an uncomfortable way.
If people knew my name, would I be doomed to a life of getting my Cookout tray knocked out of my hands by irritated locals? These thoughts (and more) cemented my decision to go exclusively by “FVM.”
It’s worked out — my followers can now imagine I’m the hero they deserve instead of the anxiety-ridden troll surrounded by empty tubs of pimiento cheese that I actually am.
I don’t know how many times I’ve had to answer this question, but it keeps coming up. Since I started FVM, I’ve had a lot of people assume things about me. The locals assume I’m a Yankee transplant. The transplants assume I’m a redneck who has never left the state. ALL OF THEM assume that I am a man, yet I am a woman with the soul of a trash panda (and not even a young one).
Allow me to clear the air. I was raised in Georgia and I moved to North Carolina 19 years ago — so no, I’m not a Yankee, and I have an Ancestry DNA test to prove it.
These arrows prove that generations of rednecks are to blame for what you’re reading
Your local welcome team is ready to visit you with a basket full of maps, civic information, gifts, and gift certi cates from local businesses. From doctors to dentists and restaurants to repairmen...we help newcomers feel right at home in their new community!
For your complimentary welcome visit, or to include a gift for newcomers, call 919.809.0220 or visit our website, www.nnws.org.
I went to Boston College and studied neuroscience. As a neuroscientist (also known as a neurobiologist) I specialize in a branch of biology that deals in the physiology and molecular biology of neurons. I get paid so much that Mayor Massengill asks me for money, and I’m like, “I don’t know, Blake, you still owe me a good mill.”
When I’m not curing brain stuff, I’m getting paid for my feet pics (but I cater to a specific crowd).
It might be a surprise to you, but all of that is lies. I’m a writer Dubai housewife.
Hold on to your butts — when I first moved to NC we actually lived in Cary. We moved to Fuquay in 2007 because I’m the type of person who routinely goes to the dermatologist for skin checks instead of chemical peels and my price point on wine is generally pretty low.
I like Southern Wake for its mix of new and old, country and suburbs, Todds and Bubbas. Polar opposites lead to the most entertaining fights on Facebook, available 24/7. We’re now getting our own Target, so …
Probably not, and I’ll tell you why. I often get fussed out for ignoring Wake Forest, Durham, Clayton, or Morrisville. There’s a reason I ignore them: I honestly don’t know enough about them to do the town justice (that’s a lie — they’re just boring and Wake Forest might as well be in the Pacific Northwest).
Saying that, I haven’t lived everywhere (neuroscientist jobs are few and far between) and I can only go on what my readers send me. If you’d like to start a meme page for your own town, I’d be happy to help you (that’s also a lie, I simply don’t have the bandwidth). But to fully answer your question, it would feel like a betrayal to Fuquay and all I hold dear. Also, if I can do it, you can too. Maybe. I mean, you won’t be as funny as me, but dreams are important.
CARY
GARNER
Congratulations to the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce annual award winners.
Cyndy Sanders, Volunteer of the Year
AsheLee Gahagan, Business Leader of the Year
Maiary Voltolini, Ambassador of the Year
J. Dwayne Garnett, Parrish “Ham” Womble
Distinguished Service Award
Pat Haggard, Heart of Holly Springs
Thrive Skin & Wellness, Business of the Year
The House of Creatives, Director’s Choice Winners were announced at the Chamber’s annual banquet in February.
celebrated its new location in Fuquay-Varina’s Bengal Towne Center with a ribbon cutting in February. The Maggy Award-winning studio offers a variety of classes for every ability, including Gentle Flow Yoga, Hot Hip Hop Yoga, and Aerial Yoga.
COUNCIL selected a name for the planned megapark on Cass Holt Road near Holly Springs High School: Eagles Landing Park. Plans for the 56-acre park include pickleball courts, basketball courts, turf athletic fields, a splash pad, skate park, recreation center, and trails. In November, voters approved a Parks Bond Referendum to allocate funding toward this park and other parks, recreation, and greenways projects in Holly Springs.
announced plans to open a store in Fuquay-Varina located in the planned Gold Leaf Crossing development, a retail center coming to Main Street near the intersection with Johnson Pond Road.
Maren May’s women’s clothing boutique and Ruby James Children’s boutique have moved to a new shared storefront, at 103 Raleigh Street in downtown Fuquay, in the location previously occupied by Gail & Grace boutique. Customers can continue to shop Gail & Grace at their Apex location.
Operation:
a mission to assist injured troops and families of fallen service members with home ownership, presented its 27th home in January. Ava Bradley, wife of Staff Sergeant Juantrea Bradley, and her children received a new home in Fuquay-Varina.
Operation: Coming Home relies on donations and sponsorships continue to support service members in the Triangle area.
reopened its health clinic in March after pausing services due to covid. Residents who live or work in south Raleigh, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Holly Springs, and Willow Spring can receive medical care and treatments at a newly renovated facility. Available services include prenatal care, pediatrics, family planning, and immunizations.
A purple flower of the Lily magnolia, dripping with rain water, blooms in morning sunlight. One of the first flowering trees of spring, the magnolias flowers bloom even before the leaves do.
Our leadership stems from an unwavering commitment to image quality, patient safety, advanced technology, compassionate care, and trust with area healthcare professionals. That's why we've earned and consistently maintain the highest accreditations from the American College of Radiology.