This issue focuses on fall fashion and fun. North Carolina, with its beautiful foliage and its agricultural history, really leans into the fall season—and the Triangle is no exception. This issue will also interest Western Wake locals because it includes a series of articles in News Around Town on how each Western Wake town (Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs and Morrisville) is developing its downtown—a topic that has engendered much local discussion over the past few years.
The topic of expanding downtowns in Western Wake hits a lot of local buttons. How each town handles its downtown area is central to how it is managing the exponential population growth this area is seeing, which challenges each town to increase its housing and amenities without losing what makes it special. The expanded downtowns include new businesses, community parks, public art and spaces for community events, all of which express each town’s sense of itself and affect how residents spend their time and money. On a practical level, these articles address what each town plans to do with cars in terms of both traffic and parking—a topic that affects locals in many ways on a day-to-day basis.
Fall is an important season in the fashion industry, and we have a couple of beautiful pieces on this topic. In our first feature article, “Saris Reborn,” Usha Sankar profiles Julkee Fashion and its talented designer, Julie Patel. Julie preserves the beautiful fabrics from saris people want to see re-used and creates fun new outfits that people can wear in many different contexts. I hope you enjoy both the discussion and the photographs of Julie’s bright and creative work.
We also include a fall fashion piece in our Style department section. Fashion designer Sofia Lujan has created several beautiful autumn outfits photographed in the home of local interior designer Tula Summerford, who graciously allowed us to use her space for the fashion shoot. A lot of talent and creativity went into this piece; it’s a very rich visual article. Fall fun proliferates through this issue. Our second feature article covers the North Carolina Gourd Arts & Crafts Festival, which turns out to have a rich history in Western Wake. Cary once bore the moniker “Gourd Capital of the World.” (It was even on the town seal! Who knew?) Honestly, I had no idea people could do so many creative things with gourds. The photos in that one are a lot of fun.
And in News Around Town, we include local fall activities people can enjoy in each Western Wake town—from Apex’s Scarecrow Row, where families can decorate and vote for their favorite scarecrows, to Phillips Farms in Cary, where you can shoot apples from a miniature cannon.
In our Departments section, I encourage you to check out Kyle Marie McMahon’s Local Flavor article on locally owned international grocery markets. Western Wake is a smorgasbord of international food options. We have markets specializing in foods from every continent except Antarctica (where I understand the cuisine is subpar), and Kyle profiles five of the most popular and interesting locally owned shops. In Kaleidoscope, Samantha Gratton profiles The Studio, a charming new combination of artists’ workspace and local gift shop in downtown Apex. In Athletics, Kurt Dusterberg profiles Jay Harrison, who used to play for the Carolina Hurricanes and has since become a psychologist who advocates for professional athletes struggling with mental health issues.
This issue is as rich as the season we’re celebrating. Enjoy it over whatever pumpkin spiced drink you’re currently sipping, and thanks for reading!
Elizabeth Brignac, Editor
Photo by Jenn McKinney Photography
PUBLISHERS
Ronny Stephens
Kent Braswell
MANAGING EDITOR
Elizabeth Brignac
ART AND WEB DIRECTOR
Sean Byrne
GRAPHIC AND WEB DESIGNER
Dathan Kazsuk
COPY EDITOR
Cindy Huntley
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Kyle Marie McMahon
SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
Crystal Watts
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Sherry Braswell, Paige Gunter, Sophie Lapierre, Stefanie McClary
DISTRIBUTION
Joe Lizana, Manager DistribuTech.net
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jennifer Axness, Drew Becker, Elizabeth Brignac, Heather Darnell, Dave Droschak, Kurt Dusterberg, Samantha Gratton, Heather Hankinson, Paige Hachet Jacob, Janice Lewine, Elizabeth Lincicome, Kyle Marie McMahon, Judith Rubens, Mike Rumble, Charlotte Russell, Usha Sankar, Anita Stone, Crystal Watts
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jessica Bratton Photography, Barbara Burns, Leah Marie Photography, Josh Manning, Jenn McKinney Photography, Jenny Midgley, New Depth Creations
5 West magazine is published six times annually. Any reproduction in part or in whole of any part of this publication is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
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4818-204 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: 919.782.4710 Fax: 919.782.4763
Julie Patel, Julkee Fashion,s owner and designer, is wearing a ruffle dress she designed from a sari her mother handed down to her.
Photo by New Depth Creations.
WHAT'S NEW IN WESTERN WAKE
REFRESH AT BEEM LIGHT SAUNA IN CARY
BY JANICE LEWINE
Beem Light Sauna, a light-therapy studio concept where members can find innovative infrared, red light and chromotherapy solutions designed to help them achieve greater holistic health, opened in May at 2062 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary. In just 40 minutes, guests can cleanse, refresh and renew in a refined, spa-like setting, removing toxins and stress while relieving pain and boosting immunity. Beem Light Sauna will soon open a second location at 615 Peace Street in Raleigh.
2062 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.371.0844
beemlightsauna.com
Photo courtesy of Beem Light Sauna
PAMPER YOURSELF AT APEX’S ROYAL NAILS & SPA
Offering manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing services, Royal Nails & Spa opened in June at 930 Broadstone Way in Apex. The salon features the highest-quality products from top manufacturers, follows a proper sanitization protocol and utilizes a strong ventilation system. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can book an appointment online. Royal Nails & Spa is open
With a mission to provide exceptional dermatological care with a courteous and attentive approach, Noor Dermatology & Aesthetics recently opened at 160 MacGregor Pines Drive, Suite 100, in Cary. Led by Dr. Zain Husain, MD, FAAD, FACMS, a dual board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon, the practice offers innovative solutions in a familyoriented atmosphere, ensuring the highest standard of care for all. 160 Macgregor Pines Drive, Suite 100, Cary 919.617.0717
noorderm.com
Photo courtesy of Paige Gunter
SHOP WINES AND BEERS AT TOTAL WINE & MORE IN APEX
Total Wine & More, an independent retailer of fine wines and beers from around the world, opened in May at Beaver Creek Commons in Apex. Total Wine & More started in 1991 when brothers David and Robert Trone set up a small shop in Delaware. Today, it operates 267 superstores across 28 states and prides itself on special relationships with producers, importers and wholesalers to pass considerable savings on to its customers.
1595 Beaver Creek Commons Drive, Apex
984.246.4200
totalwine.com
Photo courtesy of Janice Lewine
SARIS REBORN
Designer Julie Patel brings new life to traditional garments
BY USHA SANKAR PHOTOS BY NEW DEPTH CREATIONS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Walking into Raleigh-based designer Julie Patel’s third-floor home feels like entering a world of limitless possibilities. Visitors are greeted by intricately woven borders, heavily sequined pieces, peacock embroidery cutouts, mirror work designs, and colorful swathes of chiffons, georgettes and silks, all waiting to be converted into alluring dresses, gowns, jumpsuits, skirts, crop tops and more
Patel’s fashion brand, Julkee Fashion, is all about converting six meters of cloth—the standard length of an Indian sari—into outfits that are both sassy and practical. Sari draping can be a complex affair. The garment is tucked into an underskirt and wrapped around, with pleating in the middle and a shoulder overhang. Patel recalls how cumbersome the sari felt when she had her first child. Both nursing the baby and running after her as a toddler were painful and frustrating in a sari.
That is when Patel hit upon the idea of making something more practical, and produced the first of her flared skirts with a bodice from sari fabric. The Julkee label was born.
“I realized I could wear it not only to weddings, but to lunches, too,” Patel says.
Patel grew up in Charlotte and moved to Raleigh when she entered North Carolina State University to study business and marketing. There, she met her husband and soon settled into married life.
PAGE 12: Sheetal Patel (left) is wearing the ‘Sarina’ —a midi dress with a cutout at the waist. It was made from a multicolor embroidered dupatta, a traditional Indian garment similar to a shawl. Julkee Fashion's owner and designer, Julie Patel (center), is wearing a ruffle dress made from her mother’s sari, which was also the first sari Patel ever wore as a teenager. This is the type of outfit Julkee Fashions designs from heirlooms people wish to preserve in consultation with clients. Anousone Turner (right) is wearing Julkee’s bestselling wide-leg jumpsuit, the ‘Amina,’ made from a cream and dark magenta silk sari.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Julie Patel is wearing the ruffle dress from page 12, described above. The photo of sari fabrics to the left is by adobe.stock.com - Melissa Schalke.
ABOVE, LEFT: The ‘Usha’ features a pencil skirt and dupatta drape top. It was made from a pink/multicolored silk sari.
CENTER: The ‘Alina’ features a wide-leg pant and scooped-neck top. It was made from a red and white patchwork sari.
RIGHT: The ‘Bina’ features a skirted pant, one of Julkee's most popular looks. It was made from a pink silk sari.
“I was working corporate here and there. We were in the hospitality sector,” she recalls.
So how did Patel get into sewing? Like many other young Indian women just starting out in marriage, Patel was given a sewing machine by her mom—so that, in her mother’s words, “you can take care of minor alterations.” Patel soon began experimenting and making her own clothes. YoutTube tutorials proved handy, as did books that taught the basics. It also helped that she wasn’t afraid of trial and error. “I reckoned I didn’t need to pay for classes when I had the internet,” Patel says.
She soon taught herself how to make jumpsuits and trousers. “I would just get ahold of a pattern and adopt it,” she says. Patel’s hobby morphed into a business two years ago, when she began receiving requests from friends to convert saris tucked away in dark corners of closets after being worn just once to clothing they could wear more often. “A sari is much like a prom dress,” Patel explains.
She now has a small business unit in India, comprised of three seamstresses and a coordinator, which handles most of the sewing. “I do the designing now, and ship the fabrics and my designs. So I now have more inventory,” Patel says, adding that for a long time, keeping up with the inventory was a major challenge.
Almost all of the fabric that Patel works on has come from donated saris from her friends and family. The sari donations come in a variety of fabrics, from lightweight ones to heavy woven silks. In addition, most saris have a border and a shoulder overhang called the pallu. These parts tend to be heavier than the rest of the sari, and Patel says she pays close attention to matching the weight of the fabric with the designs she has in mind.
THIS PAGE, LEFT: The ‘Ruby’ features a sari skirt and strapless sweetheart top with puff sleeves. It was made from a satin and silk brocade sari. CENTER: The ‘Karina” features a maxi skirt and top set. It was made from a vibrant cotton/silk blend sari. RIGHT: The ‘Kimaya’ features a pleated maxi skirt paired with an exaggerated one-sleeve top. It was made from a blue/multicolor bandhani print sari.
OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT: Sheetal Patel is wearing the ‘Sarina," described on page 15 . RIGHT: Photo of s ari fabric by adobe.stock.com - noppharat
“I might use the pallu for a simple pencil dress, or the stiffer silks for blazers,” she says.
Her favorite fabrics, though, are the lighter ones, because they work well with flowy designs. The many backless, ruffle dresses in her inventory speak to this preference.
How does she come up with her designs?
“My best ideas come to me when I’m lying in bed,” Patel says, smiling. “Or when I see other designs and think how I can make my own version of that.”
Julkee Fashion now has customers from all across the U.S., and also some international customers (specifically from the UK, Canada and Australia). Most customers are of Indian origin, she concedes, although she has customers outside of this demographic who are typically looking for an outfit to wear to an Indian event.
“Non-desis worry about whether wearing [one of] my outfits is cultural appropriation,” Patel explains. “‘I’m not Indian, or even Asian. Does it look bad?’ they wonder. My response always is that as long as you know where it came from or you know the significance and are appreciative of its beauty, it doesn’t bother me.” (“Desi” is a term that refers to someone of South Asian origin.)
To help reach a wider audience, Patel has increased her advertising, and is marketing through Instagram and doing professional photo shoots.
“Most of my sales come from Instagram, and my customers are mostly in the 25–45 age group,” she says.
While her younger clientele come looking for something different, the older folk typically feel they are done with their saris and wonder what
they can do with them. “My mission is to take old stuff and make it new,” Patel says. Brides are usually looking for pre-wedding event outfits, and here the jumpsuits, shorter dresses, or cropped pant and top outfits are the hot favorites. The drape top—an innovative creation that looks like a sari drape from the front but is actually a pant and top—is not far behind.
Looking to the future, Patel says her goal is to triple her sales in the next year. She is also hoping to attract celebrity clientele. She proudly shares that singer Vidya Vox once reached out to her to convert her mom’s sari into a pant and cropped top with cold shoulder ensemble.
Patel is also looking to diversify her product line with table runners and cushion covers that have been upcycled from saris. Some of her particularly innovative pieces are thorans (traditional door decorations) and Diwali wreaths created out of sari borders.
“But I do have to focus,” chuckles Patel, who struggles to rein in her creativity when it threatens to run amok.
While she does accommodate requests to work with designs that people bring to her, she prefers working on her own. For designs she is familiar with, she can come up with an outfit within six hours. “I personally like to make things that are trendy, but I recognize that I need to also have pieces that cater to more people. They should be wearable in most situations for most people.”
Patel calls her custom pieces “Saris Reborn,” and she is certainly all set to breathe new life into these iconic garments and adapt them to modern times.
THIS PAGE, LEFT: The ‘Gauri’ is a version of Julkee’s best-selling ruffle dress. It features side cutouts and an open back with a tie for added fit allowance. It was made from a marigold yellow bandhani print sari. CENTER: The ‘Nila’ features a pencil skirt and top. It was made from a blue and cream silk brocade sari. RIGHT: The ‘Deepti’ features a midi skirt and exaggerated onesleeve top. It was made from an orange and pink chiffon sari.
OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT: Anousone Turner is wearing the 'Amina' piece described on page 15 . RIGHT: Photo of sari fabric trimming by adobe.stock.com - cascoly2.
C E L E B R AT I N G G OU R D S
This versatile fruit has a rich history in Wake County
BY ANITA B. STONE
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BARBARA BURNS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
One of North Carolina’s most venerable gardening clubs focuses not on roses or other flora traditionally associated with horticultural societies, but on a plant that offers great scope for the creative imagination: gourds. The North Carolina Gourd Society (NCGS) has spent most of a century elevating gourds to one of the state’s most recognized fruits. On September 7–8, the society will hold the 82nd North Carolina Gourd Arts & Crafts Festival at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh
CARY: GOURD CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
The NCGS, originally known as the Gourd Gardeners and then as the Gourd Village Garden Club, began in Cary in 1937, making it one of the oldest garden clubs in the state. It is also the oldest chapter of the American Gourd Society. The society met at the location that is now The Albatross on Chatham Street, and its activity led to Cary’s being nicknamed the Gourd Capital of the World for a time, a designation that even appeared on Cary’s town seal in 1964. The society’s first gourd festival was held in 1938. Early festivals were held wherever space was available—in a school cannery, a dry cleaner and a furniture store. The society took the name North Carolina Gourd Societ y in 2000,
the year it moved its annual festival to the state fairgrounds in Raleigh.
During its formative years, the society used the festival to promote gourds as an organic and sustainable farm product that could be used in multiple settings. Today, it continues to educate the public on how and why to grow and use gourds.
“They are so easy to grow and maintain,” offers Judi Fleming, the society’s president.
“Nowadays, our purpose is to offer classes [for beginners and the general public to advanced growers] to capture the beauty of gourds in the areas of painting, carving, weaving, coiling, wood burning and utility usage. We also offer exhibits and growing tips while teaching about this versatile fruit.
You can always contact a grower or a society member to purchase gourds, seeds, art supplies, tools and books, as well as gourd crafting kits.”
TIPS FOR CULTIVATING GOURDS
Gourds are among the oldest cultivated plants. “They are a warm weather crop,” says Fleming. “Early water bottles were carved from hard gourds and used as vessels by [Native American] tribes of North Carolina. They have also been used as storage containers and dippers for centuries.”
ON LEFT: Colorful gourds from the 2023 North Carolina Gourd Arts & Crafts Festival.
ABOVE: Illustration of the 1964 Cary town seal. Image courtesy of Jerry Miller.
Gourds, squash, melons and cucumbers are all cucurbits—warm-season, frost-sensitive plants that grow on vines. Gourds grow in many varieties of shape, size and color.
Fleming offers tips for successfully growing gourds:
1. M ake sure you plan out your space. If you do not plan carefully, gourds will take over your yard. Make sure to plan in a sunny area, as gourds require at least six hours of sunlight per day.
2. Plant seeds in the spring at least two weeks after your average last frost date passes, but don’t wait too long, as they take 100–180 days to mature. Plant groups of four seeds directly into the ground at ½ inch soil depth. Make sure to incorporate compost into the soil.
3. Water thoroughly at least once a week—more if there is a dry spell. Prevent pests such as beetles and powdery mildew by using homemade sprays or insecticides. Spray every week. You can also use row covers to protect your gourds.
4. Fertilize your seeds with a balanced fertilizer of compost manure when the vines begin to bloom.
5. S ome people use trellises or tomato cages to grow lighter gourds. This approach will not work well for heavier ones.
6. H arvest your gourds when the vine begins to turn brown where it meets the gourd. When cutting a gourd from the vine, leave two inches of the stem to ensure you have a good handle for your gourd. If you cut the gourd too early, you increase the risk that it will rot.
7. O nce you have harvested the gourd, store it in a well-ventilated, dry area with temperatures between 55–65 degrees Fahrenheit. Gourds survive well in root cellars, attics, garages or barns. Leave them to dry for one to six months if you plan to use them for crafts or other projects. When the gourd turns brown and the seeds rattle around in it, it is ready to use.
CREATING WITH GOURDS
Creative work with gourds can begin as they grow. “Have fun shaping gourds,” suggests Fleming. “For instance, you can place a broomstick on the ground and train the stems to grow around the stick, giving the gourd stems a curved appearance. You may also want to tie the neck of larger gourds in knots for an unusual look.”
Gourds can be used as ornaments for the home and as vessels for food and water. People paint them to use as small items such as keychains and make large gourds into birdhouses. The possibilities are endless.
“Have fun and create different kinds of gourds for many uses,” says Fleming.
The North Carolina Gourd Arts & Crafts Festival offers many creative ideas and opportunities for growing and crafting gourds. Participants can take classes, buy gourds for craft use, buy gourd swag, and of course view the many creative household and yard items and works of art that local crafters have created with gourds. Ambitious crafters can participate in a competition, and children can enjoy gourd-related crafting projects. So head out to the state fairgrounds September 7–8 and explore the many creative possibilities related to North Carolina’s beloved, versatile fruit.
Learn more about the North Carolina Gourd Society and the North Carolina Gourd Arts & Crafts Festival at ncgourdsociety.org
ON RIGHT, TOP FOUR IMAGES (clockwise from top left): The 1947 Gourd Festival. Photo courtesy of Page-Walker History Archives. Gourds on display at the 2023 North Carolina Gourd Arts & Crafts Festival. Photo booth fun at the 2023 Gourd Arts & Crafts Festival. A sculptural gourd by Ellen Healy that opens to reveal a detailed interior. BOTTOM LEFT: The same gourd by Ellen Healey shown above, pictured closed. Photo courtesy of Alston Sykes. BOTTOM RIGHT: Another colorful gourd from the 2023 North Carolina Gourd Arts & Crafts Festival.
82ND ANNUAL NORTH CAROLINA GOURD ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL
Presented by the North Carolina Gourd Society Saturday, September 7, 2024 Sunday, September 8, 2024 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. daily
N.C. State Fairgrounds
Holshouser Building
4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh
Admission $5
Children under 13 free
Classes • Raffle • Competition
Growing Tips • Gourd Exhibits
Make & Take Crafts
Buy Gourds, Art, Tools, Supplies, T-shirts, Books & More
DEVELOPING DOWNTOWN APEX
Keeping downtown Apex accessible—and enjoyable—in a time of growth
BY SAMANTHA GRATTON
With what the town’s mayor calls “the best downtown in the Triangle,” Apex has a lot of people asking, “What’s next?”
T he Town of Apex published its Downtown Master Plan & Parking Study in 2019. The almost-200-page plan outlines a number of opportunities for growth and revision in the downtown area. It contains visions of added walkability, outdoor seating, increased parking, gathering spaces and areas for revitalization.
P lanning continued through the COVID-19 pandemic, during which temporary social distancing measures transformed parking spaces into patio seating and created other short-term outdoor spaces— temporary versions of some of the changes that had already been incorporated into Apex’s permanent downtown plan. People began to see what these changes might look like when the plan came to fruition.
S o where does the downtown plan stand today? And how does Apex plan to move forward with it?
THE CROWN JEWEL OF APEX
T he Salem Streetscape is the downtown vision that has captured many people’s imaginations. The heart of downtown, Salem Street has many stories to tell, having
seen the town through 151 years of Apex’s history. Of the downtown today, Mayor Jacques K. Gilbert says, “We want every person—visitor, resident—to feel like they’re welcome here in The Peak of Good Living.”
With construction slated to start in 2026, the Salem Streetscape project will include a curbless design, making the street and sidewalk flat all the way across with pavers. Some of the street parking will be removed, but in its place the town will add more outdoor tables and furnishings, better lighting and trees lining the road to make Salem Street more pedestrian-friendly. The plan also adds a dedicated gathering space on Saunders Street featuring furniture, games and a pergola.
“ The plan, the vision, the projects have a lot of support—they’re very exciting to people. People love the idea of improving downtown Apex, and they love downtown Apex already. Because [it’s ] so well-loved, there’s a little bit of risk when you start to make changes, especially in a historic area,” says Shannon Cox, Long Range Planning Manager of Apex, who has worked with the town for eight years and plays a major part in managing the development of the plan. “Salem Street has changed many times over the years. It has not always looked the way that it has now. So being careful about it is important—but [we also don’t want to be] afraid to make improvements.”
This project will begin after a projected parking lot addition is completed to ease the transition, but plans are in place to ensure visitors keep coming and downtown businesses continue to flourish during construction. “A lot of people have uncertainty with the process,” says Mayor Gilbert. “When we do that streetscape and we start with construction, we don’t want anyone to think downtown is closed.”
THE PARKING PREDICAMENT
As exciting as many people find the new plans, this growth comes with growing pains. Providing more parking downtown is the first priority. The town currently has a population of just over 78,000 people, with projections to grow to over 100,000 residents by 2030.
Making downtown easier to access is essential, therefore, if the town wants it to remain a welcoming place for residents and visitors.
C urrently, the main downtown parking lot, off Saunders Street and across from the police station, has 240 parking spaces. Starting in January 2025, construction will begin to expand that parking lot to hold 152 more spaces. The new layout will use the space more efficiently, add trees and address stormwater concerns. S ome spaces in the new lot will most likely have time limits , allowing more people to use each parking spot throughout the day.
T he new parking area has been in the works for some time, but the construction start date was strategically chosen after coordinating with downtown businesses owners, who voiced a preference for construction to begin after 2024’s quarter four and the holiday season.
“ We take parking seriously, and we take the downtown business owners’ concerns about parking seriously,” says Cox. She explains that parking is probably the biggest hurdle facing the
OPPOSITE PAGE: Conceptual streetscape of Salem Street. This is not a final, approved image, but a concept rendering. Rendering courtesy of the Town of Apex.
THIS PAGE: Rendering of the final plan for the parking lot on Saunders Street. Rendering courtesy of the Town of Apex.
downtown development projects, but it is an important need to address. While some people argue that Apex needs a parking garage rather than a larger parking lot, the town has estimated that a parking garage costs roughly $25,000–$35,000 per parking space. The Downtown Plan evaluated the cost of building a parking lot, the space and location available, other parking management strategies and the value the lot would provide. After conducting multiple studies, the town determined that Apex doesn’t need a parking garage—at least not yet—but that it will monitor the need for future planning.
MORE TO COME
The Salem Streetscape and increased parking are not Apex’s only proposed projects. The town plans to make improvements to downtown Apex alleys, add landscaping and construct a downtown gathering space—construction for which is proposed to begin in 2027. Projects outlined in the master plan that aren’t being addressed yet will continue to be implemented in the future.
The downtown plan also hopes to add accessibility to the downtown area through accommodating multiple forms of transportation. The town is
working on several sidewalk projects and designing more bike paths, including one from downtown Apex to Pleasant Park. It is adding bus routes, and it is considering a “mobility hub” which includes a central location for bus, bike, pedestrian, rideshare, microtransit and passenger rail service in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation—but that plan depends on the town’s ability to fund it.
“ These projects take a long time,” says Cox. “There was a lot of excitement when we did our downtown plan. So I just hope that people know we’re working on it. We’re working to make the vision happen. We’re excited about it , too.” She adds, “ I ncrementally, we’re going to get there . Hopefully people are enjoying the changes as they come.”
In the meantime, town officials hope citizens will encourage the projects along. “I just want community members to stay focused on it and stay open. Try to remain as positive as possible. Go back and look at the plan over and over and just visualize: This is it,” says Mayor Gilbert. “And hold leadership accountable Ask questions. I think that’s important to keep communication going.”
Where to Go for Fall Fun in Apex
BY PAIGE HACHET JACOB
Summer’s humidity finally wanes, and crisp fall temperatures usher in their own event when the leaves change colors in North Carolina. Apex provides the picture-perfect setting to find fall fun.
PUMPKIN PATCHES
Apex offers many options for you and your family to find local pumpkins—and enjoy autumnal treats at the same time. You can find beautiful local pumpkins at Jean’s Neighborhood Market/Ragan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch. Buy warm sweets from the mini donut stand as well, and take photos with fall decorations such as hay bales and mums. DJ’s Berry Patch offers hot apple cider and Maple View Farms ice cream for visitors to enjoy while pumpkinhunting. Po Hous Farm boasts a familyfriendly pumpkin patch, and Hidwell Family Farm offers a kid-friendly haunted corn maze along with their pumpkins. Visitors also can take part in Hidwell’s fall festival surrounded by furry farm animals such as alpacas, sheep and rabbits.
AGRICULTURAL EXPLORATION
Pumpkin-hunting isn’t the only outdoor excitement autumn farms bring to Apex. In addition to its fresh fall produce offerings, certified plant nursery and country store Neighbor Boy Country Store offers a snack barn and play areas to entertain. The Apex Farmers Market sells fall fruits and vegetables on Saturday mornings at The Depot in downtown Apex, and it also hosts a special harvest event on October 5th. For a more adult outing, visit Cloer Family Vineyards on a Saturday to sip their fall sangria.
THIS PAGE: Jean’s Neighborhood Market/Ragan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch offer pumpkin options for every possible jack-o’-lantern. Photos courtesy of Jean’s Neighborhood Market/Regan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch. OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: Colorful pumpkins at the Apex Farmers Market. BOTTOM: Scarecrow Row’s homemade scarecrows offer familyfriendly frights. Photos courtesy of the Town of Apex.
TOWN FUN AND FOLIAGE
Visitors can admire stunning leaf displays at Apex Community Park. Two miles of paved trails showcase the park’s lake, where visitors can look for a unique fall-themed story walk project to kick off the season.
In September, the town releases a Halloween map that guides you to the spookiest decorations during Apex’s Tour of Frights. This event highlights neighborhoods and houses with familyfriendly decorations, as well as those with truly terrifying decor, throughout the town. Closer to Halloween, visit Scarecrow Row, where homemade scarecrows line the kid-friendly Haunted Nature Trail. Participants can decorate scarecrows from October 23–25 and can visit through October 31.
Remember to check out individual websites to plan your outing and get the latest info. From jack-o’-lanterns to multicolored foliage, discover big fun in the small-town character of Apex.
Closing an Opportunity Gap
BY DAVE DROSCHAK
Aswe begin the 2024–2025 school year, Apex’s smallest graduating class may be its most heartwarming.
A total of nine children will complete their three-year journey at Peak Beginnings and head to kindergarten in 2025 with skills they most likely would never have received without this program.
Peak Beginnings is a free, half-day early childhood enrichment program. It was founded in 2021 by Lane Tomey, a former Wake County high school teacher who recognized the educational barriers faced by children from under-resourced families. She hopes to close that achievement gap as much as possible.
Tomey, 53, says some tangible results surprised her heading into the third year of the program, in which seven of the nine children didn’t speak English when they first started utilizing this unique educational opportunity.
“I thought our focus would be more on academic readiness, but it turns out that just comes when it comes,” she says. “It’s really about social and emotional readiness, and
building relationships and creating a safe and stable environment for the kids. Watching them learn how to be successful in a classroom [in ways that have] nothing to do with their academic ability is what makes us know they’re ready for public school.”
Building early childhood skills such as sharing, showing empathy and understanding multi-step directions—and even engaging in activities as simple as eating breakfasts and lunches together— help build kindergarten readiness.
“It’s just such a special time when they’re learning about eating a healthy meal, learning manners, learning not to get up from the table until their friends are finished,” Tomey says. “Those types of things help them develop positive relationships with each other and [show them that] they are capable and smart, and able to succeed. Ultimately, what we want when they walk into that kindergarten room is for them to be confident.”
To learn more about the organization or to volunteer or donate, visitpeakbeginnings.org.
Children enjoy some reading time with their Peak Beginnings teacher. Photo courtesy of Peak Beginnings.
DEVELOPING
DOWNTOWN CARY
Keeping Cary’s downtown at the top of the arc
BY KYLE MARIE M c MAHON
Downtown Cary 20 years ago was a very different place from what it is today. The bones of today’s downtown were there, but the people weren’t. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht remembers leaving Town Hall after 5 p.m. and finding the area deserted. So the Town Council discussed how to revitalize it, put the zoning in place and started with a park—modest at first. Investment in the park kicked off development for the rest of the area. “Now I leave Town Hall at 11 p.m. and there are people everywhere—[it went] from [being] a ghost town to something that’s alive,” says Weinbrecht. Since the groundbreaking of the current Downtown Cary Park, investment and development in the area has exploded. In 2017, Cary adopted the Imagine Cary Community Plan—its vision for the entire town through 2040. It has been updated continually to meet with the changing times and adjusted based on new information, feedback and
concerns. It will most likely be extended through 2050 and beyond.
CURRENT CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE PLANS
The town will rely on private investors to bring their ideas to life, but Mayor Weinbrecht says the vision is clear: “It’s about balancing the town feel, but with the amenities of a larger municipality.” The fact that Cary’s downtown was less developed initially and is less compact than those of neighboring cities means there’s more of a blank slate—more room for the town to design its downtown from the basics on up. “We want it to blend into surrounding areas, to feel like it’s part of a whole,” he says. The design calls for limited building heights in certain areas, smooth transitions between them, walkability and plenty of open space.
The Community Plan breaks downtown Cary into five subareas.
THIS PAGE, TOP: Sunset over downtown Cary. BOTTOM: Cary’s well-loved Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival. OPPOSITE, TOP: View looking down on the iconic fountain and the Downtown Cary Park café, Market 317. BOTTOM: The Nest play area with its two cardinal play structures in Downtown Cary Park. All photos courtesy of the Town of Cary.
Central Chatham is “Cary’s Main Street,” the strip from the Old Apex Road traffic circle to Ward Street (just before the traffic circle next to Urban Park). This is where the bulk of construction is happening, particularly at Rogers East and West (across from The Cary Theatre), Meridian East Chatham (near E. Chatham and Ward Streets), and Meridian Cary/Northwoods Jordan (on the corner of W. Chatham Street and S. Harrison Avenue). Each of these is a mixed-use area with housing on the upper floors and the ground level open for office and retail, in addition to a parking deck. Only Rogers will open this year and will include the sushi restaurant Zest. “There has been a lot of interest from food and beverage companies, and hopefully we’ll start to see more soft retail,” says Scot Berry, Assistant Town Manager.
South Academy is called “Cary’s Cultural Arts Anchor” and includes the area south of Central Chatham, including Downtown Cary Park, Cary Regional Library and the Cary Arts Center. With the park complete, most of the work in this area is refinement— adding additional housing and finishing the Ivey-Ellington House for park employee offices. For now, the lawn at the old library site will remain an open space, though it may be developed later on.
West Chatham Gateway is the area around the Old Apex Road loop and will probably be the next area of expansion. This includes West End, a mixed-used development similar to Rogers, situated across from Vicious Fishes Brewery and South Line Brewing Co.
East Chatham Gateway, from Ward Street to E. Maynard Road, and North Academy, the area north of the railroad tracks, are still in the early stages of design but will also be mixed-use. Previous requests for proposals (RFPs), like the one for Town Hall, have given the town ideas about what to do with
these areas, but development here won’t be happening soon.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC FLOW
Residents have already expressed concerns about parking in the Central Chatham area, and Berry says the town has created a group focused solely on this subject. Currently, there are numerous small-to-medium parking lots, limited street parking and the Town Hall and library parking decks, with the three Central Chatham decks coming within two years. Mayor Weinbrecht acknowledges that while things look good for the next five years or so, they will have to keep considering parking as
the area grows and changes. Help will come in the form of the Downtown Cary Multi-Modal Center, which will shift the existing Amtrak depot to the other side of Harrison. The current depot only has a platform of approximately 400 feet for passengers to get off and on. Often, trains have to move forward again to access baggage, causing even longer delays at the crossings on Academy and Harrison. The new depot will at least double the platform size, meaning faster load/unload times. Additionally, the Multi-Modal Center will serve as a hub for alternatives to driving into downtown Cary, such as the regional bus system, bike and ride shares, the
Bus Rapid Transit system and eventually, a possible commuter rail.
Mayor Weinbrecht is the most enthusiastic about connecting downtown with other areas close by, starting with the Walnut Creek Greenway, which is on the bond this fall. Long term, it will connect downtown Cary to South Hills via a three-mile greenway passing through Fenton and WakeMed Soccer Park.
When asked about the additional traffic, Berry says, “People are coming downtown to visit, so these roads are no longer cut-throughs. Maynard is the road to take for that.” But the slower traffic flow is intentional. “The traffic is slower because we want to make it walker-friendly, and a destination. We want it this way. We don’t want to change the pace,” says Mayor Weinbrecht.
CHANGE IS DIFFICULT
Despite what has seemingly been a long planning, approval and construction process, residents worry about losing the old Cary—too much change, too soon. But Berry says that his feedback comes from leaving his office at 8 p.m. and seeing families out and about, restaurants full, the area busy. The mayor agrees, saying the negativity stopped once the park was complete. But it is foremost in his mind. “We have to move forward, but keep development at a pace people can handle. It’s about balancing the need for progress with people’s perception of change,” he says.
But as Cary has changed and grown over the last 50 years to become the diverse and sought-after destination it is today, it will continue to develop to fit the ever-changing needs of its current residents and future generations. “Seeing Cary change has opened my eyes. We embrace all these different cultures. To be able to experience it right here is so vastly different from [how it was] when I grew up,” says Mayor Weinbrecht. “It’s exciting to be a part of this.”
Where to Go for Fall Fun
BY JUDITH COOKIS RUBENS
The Triangle’s warm September days can make us second-guess fall’s arrival, but Cary is ready with fun autumn activities as September transitions into October’s cooler weather.
PHILLIPS FARMS OF CARY
Phillips Farms recently added spring and summer events (Peachfest! Watermelonfest!), but fall remains their defining season. The 100-year-old family farm keeps adding attractions. You’ll find pumpkins, of course, plus tractor rides, corn mazes, and a family fun park loaded with children’s games, attractions and rides. There’s even a petting zoo. Local treats include donuts, barbecue and kettle corn. Those with steely nerves should check out the Haunted Park—Phillips’ spooky haunted house and corn maze—for after-dark thrills.
6720 Good Hope Church Road, Cary phillipsfarmsofcary.com
HEMLOCK BLUFFS AND BOND PARK
Wondering where to spy the best fall foliage? Try a walk around Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve or Fred G. Bond Metro Park. Hemlock Bluffs’ 140-acre nature preserve boasts multiple walking paths and scenic overlooks, while a trip around Bond Park’s Lake Trail offers an amazing view of the fall colors reflecting on the water.
Ride the Cow Train at Phillips Farms. Photo courtesy of Rachel Herbst.
Photo
SPOTLIGHT
TRIANGLE OKTOBERFEST
Making it to Munich for their famous Bavarian festival might be tough, but thankfully there’s a local alternative: Triangle Oktoberfest at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Planned for October 4–5, this year’s celebration marks a decade of the family-friendly festival, which celebrates German culture and helps local charities. Sample dozens of German beers and traditional Bavarian food including bratwurst, schnitzel sandwiches and German chocolate treats. Also look for live music, wiener dog races, stein-hoisting and hammer-striking contests, and yes—yodeling. Prost!
The pandemic brought about a resurgence of the traditional hobbies of crochet and knitting. Once considered old-fashioned, the repetitive nature of these crafts provided calm and relaxation during a chaotic time. Warm ’n Fuzzy has been in operation since 2012, and the sudden growing popularity of fiber arts had helped the shop see its busiest year in 2022. But that December, owner Rebecca Hart decided to step away to focus on her family.
Before the doors could close, though, Shiloh Vance stepped in—taking over ownership and keeping the only yarn shop in Cary open and thriving.
This one-stop shop is a haven for yarn lovers. Don’t expect the same brands you see at big-box stores. Warm ‘n Fuzzy stocks high-quality, hand-dyed yarns made from organic cotton, merino wool and silk mohair—many of which are products of local fiber studios, such as Allie Making Fiber and Sewrella Yarn.
The store also sells notions (accessories) and fiber arts staples such as needles and hooks, and offers classes for stitchers of all levels.
Warm ’n Fuzzy isn’t just a boutique yarn store—it’s a gathering place. The portability of knitting and crochet means that people can do them anywhere, and many crafters choose to work sitting on the shop’s cozy couch while sharing experiences, tips and stories with fellow stitchers. The annual Triangle Yarn Crawl, held this past June, expands on this sense of community. Over a weekend, shoppers visit other yarn shops in the area, collecting stamps, exploring yarn and getting inspired by others in the hobby.
Consider becoming a part of the stitching community by attending one of Warm ’n Fuzzy’s weekly Stitch Circles on Thursdays or Make-a-Long Meetups on Fridays at 200 S. Academy Street, Suite 140.
The sofa in Warm ‘n Fuzzy invites people to settle in and stitch together. In this photo, owner Shiloh Vance enjoys some knitting time. Photo by Elizabeth Brignac.
A local yarn store builds community through shared creativity
DEVELOPING
DOWNTOWN FUQUAY-VARINA
Where two downtowns are twice as nice
BY HEATHER DARNELL
Fuquay-Varina, the town with two names, also has two bustling downtown areas. It’s part of what the town tagline calls “a dash more.” As one of the fastest-growing small towns in North Carolina, Fuquay-Varina is striving to build and maintain a vibrant community with double the downtowns and double the small-town charm. As the town grows, it has also had to become twice as prepared to handle the growing demand for downtown amenities.
H ISTORY OF FUQUAY-VARINA AND ITS DOWNTOWNS
I n the early 1900s, Fuquay Springs and Varina were two towns with train depots about a half mile apart from one another, connected by a timber rail line. People traveled to visit the mineral spring at Fuquay Springs, which was reputed to have healing p roperties . In 1963, Fuquay Springs and Varina joined together to create
one municipality called Fuquay-Varina. The train depot in Fuquay Springs closed in 1935, but Varina’s historic train depot still stands on Broad Street.
P resent-day Fuquay-Varina maintains both its original towns’ downtown districts . Each has its own unique character. Downtown Fuquay is home to the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, Mineral Spring Park and Town Hall. Downtown Varina has a more walkable retail presence and is anchored by the historic Varina Station.
FAST-GROWING FUQUAY-VARINA
Fuquay-Varina has seen its population nearly double in the past decade. Mayor Blake Massengill has witnessed how this growth has affected the community. “I have lived in Fuquay-Varina all my life,” he says. “When I was two years old, there were only about 4,000 people who lived here, and now there are almost 50,000.”
A view of Main Street in downtown Fuquay-Varina. Photo courtesy of the Town of Fuquay-Varina.
W ith that growth comes a demand for downtown services and amenities, including shops, restaurants, bars, and places to live and work. Local developers are striving to keep up with demand, and the town’s inspections department continually beats its own records for the most building permits issued monthly.
“ We’re very lucky to have two downtowns,” Massengill says. “A lot of towns are trying to build downtowns, but Fuquay-Varina has always had a downtown, and we have the existing infrastructure to build on.”
D OWNTOWN GENERATIONAL PLAN
Fuquay-Varina is currently working on building onto its existing downtowns. The town has established a Downtown Generational Plan (DGP) that will serve as a blueprint to help plan for growth for the next 50 years. “Our town board, mayors and commissioners have made investing in downtown a priority,” says Jim Seymour, Fuquay-Varina’s Assistant Town Manager. While creating the plan, town leaders were inspired by the Greenville, South Carolina Downtown Reborn study done in 1968, which helped Greenville become the downtown destination it is today.
T he DGP for Fuquay-Varina was presented to the Town Board August 20 and invites citizen feedback online through September 23 . The plan makes downtown area recommendations, including vertical live/work/play sites, commercial areas and zones for festivals and events, and plans for parking, lighting and sidewalks.
T he DGP also seeks to improve connectivity between downtown Fuquay and downtown Varina.
“ Physically linking the two downtown areas is something that businesses want to see sooner rather than later,” Seymour says. Several ideas have been considered, including a tunnel or pedestrian bridge linking the two districts, but they may not be feasible due to cost. The town is also looking at ways to continue to make the downtown areas friendly to pedestrians and bikers as well as cars.
M assengill knows how important the feel of the downtown area is to Fuquay-Varina residents .“We have worked hard on downtown streetscapes. We don’t want to have abandoned buildings downtown, and we want people to feel safe. We’re proud to have been named the number one safest town in North Carolina,” says Massengill, citing a 2023 MoneyGeek ranking.
D OWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS S ome aspects of Fuquay-Varina’s downtown development are already in progress. In the last five years, the town has completed several projects that have contributed to bringing visitors into its downtown area . In 2019 the community welcom ed the addition of the Fuquay-Varina
ABOVE: Aviator Brewing’s expansion—which includes plans for a new brewery, a distillery, a store and a coffee shop, among other amenities—is bringing fresh energy into downtown Varina. BELOW: The Fuquay-Varina Arts Center offers opportunities to enjoy classes, performances, art shows and other community events.
Photos courtesy of the Town of Fuquay-Varina.
A rts Center, a 294-seat theater with an art gallery, studios and classrooms to serve the community with local performances and classes. “The arts center has been a huge driver for downtown business, and it’s a huge investment in downtown,” says Massengill.
In 2021 the town opened its first mixed-use development in downtown Fuquay. Named The Q, the building is four stories tall and has 36,000 square feet of retail and office space and residential units. On the street level, visitors can enjoy an exercise studio, a boutique, a Mexican restaurant and an indoor golf facility. “We want to have a variety of businesses downtown,” says Massengill. “Downtown, mixed-use projects will be catalysts for local business.”
U PCOMING DOWNTOWN PROJECTS
M ore mixed-use projects are on the way. As part of Fuquay-Varina’s economic development strategy, the town plans to develop an additional 2.52-acre mixed-use project on Academy and Main streets in downtown Fuquay. Demolition has already occurred at the site, and a developer is being selected .
I n downtown Varina, Aviator Brewing Company is in the process of constructing a 5.22-acre, 60,000-square-foot project that will house a brewery, distillery, retail store, restaurant and bar, drivethrough coffee shop and a multi-use pavilion. Aviator already has three restaurants in downtown Varina, and the company will continue to serve the community at this new campus.
PARKING IN DOWNTOWN AREAS
Naturally, as more people flock to downtown areas, concerns about parking arise. Fuquay-Varina has been proactive in adding parking spaces to its downtown districts as demand has increased. As part of the town’s Downtown Parking Plan, FuquayVarina is continuing to implement recommendations from a 2016 parking study. A 25-space lot was recently added to downtown Fuquay on Vance Street, and a 123-space parking lot was added to downtown Varina on Fayetteville and Charlotte streets. The town expects these expansions to provide for current and future parking needs. The DGP will address other plans for parking
W hile any town will see challenges with growth, Fuquay-Varina is already working to provide the amenities and resources people want to see. With planning and preparation in place, Fuquay-Varina’s double downtowns will have double the chances to grow and maintain vibrant downtown areas for years to come.
Where to Go for Fall Fun in Fuquay-Varina
BY HEATHER HANKINSON
When the air gets crisp and leaves begin to fall, Fuquay-Varina has many family-friendly activities to help you celebrate the season. From pumpkin patches to not-so-scary haunted adventures (and one or two slightly spookier options), Fuquay-Varina has something for everyone!
Naylor Family Farm & Giant Maze:
This family farm offers pumpkin-picking, haunted woods, gem mining, farm animals and many kid-friendly attractions. They particularly emphasize their hayride, which offers fall scenes to which they add every year. Hayriders leave with a free pumpkin! The farm also has a gift shop and local, fresh ice cream on site.
6016 U.S. Highway 401 naylorfamilyfarm.com
McLean Farms Nursery & Ice Cream
Shop: During the autumn season, this multi-generational family farm offers pumpkin-picking and a corn maze in addition to their year-round offerings of homemade ice cream, a play area with a variety of activities, a Wiffle ball field and a jump pad.
5490 River Road mcleanfarmsfuquay.com
Fuquay-Varina Haunted Trail: On October 19, the Fuquay-Varina Haunted Trail will offer both a family-friendly fun trail walk and a “full fright” trail walk in the evening. From 2–6 p.m., families are invited to bring their small children to interact with fun Halloween characters. From 7–9 p.m. ages 12 and above should come prepared to be frightened under the cover of darkness! The trail walks will depart from the Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park. Trail starts at 301 Wagstaff Road fuquay-varina.org/714/Halloween-Trail Fuquay-Varina Downtown Ghost
Tours: On weekends in October, brave souls can share a unique experience learning about unexplained events and hear firsthand accounts of the supernatural on a tour through FuquayVarina’s historic downtown districts. Tour starts at 108 Raleigh Street, rain or shine fuquay-varinadowntown.com/ghost-tours
Trick-or-Treat Downtown: On Friday, October 25 from 2–5 p.m., families are invited to dress in costume and visit local businesses in both of Fuquay-Varina’s downtown districts.
Pallets of pumpkins await visitors at McLean Farms’ Pumpkin Patch. Photo courtesy of McLean Farms.
SAVORYAROMAS
The owners of Assaggio’s Pizzeria Ristorante celebrate 20 years in business
BY DREW BECKER
This year, Tom and Amy McGrath, co-owners of Assaggio’s Pizzeria Ristorante, celebrate two decades in business.
The McGraths have been serving delicious pies in Fuquay-Varina since 2004. They moved to Fuquay-Varina from Minnesota in 1998 because they loved the area, appreciating the small-town feeling it offered while being close enough to Raleigh to take advantage of
the city. Tom originally scouted the area on behalf of a chain restaurant, but he had been considering going out on his own. In 2004, when the timing was right, they purchased Assaggio’s (then a year and a half old), beginning its journey toward becoming what is now one of the longest-lasting restaurants in town.
Tom attributes his success in Fuquay-Varina to a few critical factors: Assaggio’s has always
had a great staff whom the customers appreciate, the restaurant utilizes fresh and delicious ingredients and, most importantly, the business enjoys enthusiastic community support— which the McGraths have earned by reaching out into the community. One of the restaurant’s first large efforts, for example, was to coordinate with Barry’s Cafe in Raleigh to establish the Feed the Firefighters Foundation. The restaurants would bring food and drinks to first responders on the scenes of fires and other disasters. Today, Assaggio’s supports local schools, churches, choirs, youth groups and teams.
Tom also emphasizes his use of fresh ingredients, which has contributed to the restaurant’s excellent reputation in town. “Everything’s homemade,” he says. “We make all the sauces; we make our meatballs and lasagnas. All the sauce is made to order. When you order Alfredo, we make the Alfredo sauce then, so everything’s fresh.”
Assaggio’s—and its owners—remain treasured resources in Fuquay-Varina, and we hope they will continue serving pies here for decades to come.
LEFT: One of Assaggio’s many delicious pizzas. BELOW: Tom McGrath with two of Assaggio’s employees. Photos by Drew Becker.
DEVELOPING DOWNTOWN HOLLY SPRINGS
Where
community
BY JENNIFER AXNESS
residents are shaping the future of their downtown
“At one time, Holly Springs was primarily a daytime destination, with just a little bit of foot traffic and no after-hours activities. You used to have to go to a neighboring community for dining and entertainment,” reflects Sean Mayefskie, mayor of Holly Springs. “But over the past few years, the town’s downtown has progressed from being a commuter-focused area
into a thriving community center.”
Mayefskie, a 25-year resident of Holly Springs who’s currently in his third year as mayor, and Sean Ryan, the town’s planning manager, are excited to discuss the town’s tremendous growth since its most recent 2006 development plan and the vision for the downtown area. Committed to balancing growth with historical preservation, the town
has developed a blueprint for the future with its newly adopted Downtown Area Plan (DAP), envisioning an engaging downtown where the voices of the community are heard.
The timing for this new plan is crucial. New landmarks such as Town Hall Commons and The Block on Main business parks have transformed the landscape, while Holly Springs’
the downtown I want to see!’”
Five main goals for the developing downtown emerged from this process of community engagement:
population has surged from around 1,000 citizens 30 years ago to over 50,000 residents today.
“ We’ve grown as a community,” says Ryan, “which means now is the time to take another look and think about the next stage of evolution. Any plan Holly Springs puts in place starts with the community. What does the community enjoy about what they see now, and what do they want to see in the future?”
Through a comprehensive public engagement process including surveys, public meetings and community outreach, “residents are actively contributing to the further development of the town with their ideas and preferences,” says Mayefskie. “What a great opportunity for our citizens to say, ‘I gave input; I took part in helping build
• To develop a family-focused, authentic-to-Holly Springs downtown.
• To create a more connected district with additional parking and greenways.
• To ensure an intact downtown by incentivizing redevelopment and focusing on the design and character of public gathering spots.
• To acknowledge and celebrate history through storytelling in the public realm and through protecting residential neighborhoods.
• To ensure a healthy mix of land uses, including the development of parks as regional destinations.
The planning process balances growth with historic preservation, both of which are integral to the town’s identity. “Holly Springs’ downtown has always been at the center of the
community,” Ryan says, “with churches [that were] established when Holly Springs was young, as well as the Pack-House, the heart of the town’s Black community for such a long time. The [Downtown Area] Plan reflects our history, focusing on preserving what has been vital to Holly Springs and honoring these elements as the town grows and develops.”
The planning process also identified five priority projects for downtown, chosen by residents to align with the town’s vision.
• Mims Park: Improvements to this centrally located property will create a welcome place for recreation.
• Public market: A new public market space will provide a permanent home for the Holly Springs Farmers Market and flexible space for entrepreneurship and social interaction.
• Festival street: A potential redesign of Avent Ferry Road would allow for the creation of a festival street, facilitating closure to traffic during town events.
• A curated downtown: Holly Springs’ unique downtown environment will include diverse shops and restaurants designed to enhance community connections.
• Greenway connections: A series of open space corridors and town streets connecting the downtown area to neighborhoods and parks will provide residents with safe pathways.
Another key element of the DAP is to establish a more comprehensive live/ work/play environment. As the mayor explains, this goal involves creating diverse housing options to offer more living spaces for people, ensuring the area remains vibrant throughout the day. “The council would like to see
LEFT: A view down Main Street in Holly Springs shows the heart of Holly Springs’ downtown.
RIGHT: Citizens offer their views on Holly Springs’ Downtown Area Plan at public input meetings. Photos courtesy of the Town of Holly Springs.
shops at ground level with homes above, limited to a max of four stories,” Mayefskie explains. “We’re also very mindful of the beautiful houses located on Raleigh Street. Preserving these classic homes is essential, and balancing this with new development is truly a juggling act!”
Adding more office space downtown and bringing people there throughout the day, and supporting restaurants and other businesses even after hours is also a priority. “We’re taking the ‘kitchen table’ approach,” says Ryan. “You need a little bit of everything to make sure you have a successful space.”
Another area of focus will be incorporating Holly Springs’ culture into downtown, with a particular emphasis on art. Recognizing the value of murals, sculptures and other art forms, these additions will enrich the town’s character and create memorable, ‘Instagrammable’ spaces that tell the story of Holly Springs.
Near-term (0–3 year) implementation priorities for the DAP include:
• The development of a phased parking strategy.
• A concerted effort to engage the community and begin design services for Phase 1 improvements at Mims Park.
• Assessing the feasibility and best location for a public market within the downtown area.
• The introduction of a new downtown brand that will highlight local events, businesses and projects.
• The installation of Phase 1 sidewalks and bikeways to improve multi-modal transportation throughout the area.
“One of the things we’ve identified in the plan is that although we’ve got big ideas and thoughts as to where the festival street and even a potential town square might go, we will only be able to finalize these locations as ideas come to fruition,” Ryan adds.
R eflecting on how public sentiment has evolved over the years, Ryan notes, “One of the biggest comments used to be, ‘We really want a downtown like Apex or Fuquay-Varina, or even Cary.’ What I’ve noticed, especially over the last few years, is that I don’t really hear that anymore. Now they’re saying, ‘We love downtown Holly Springs, and we’re glad it’s different from Apex or Fuquay.’ Holly Springs residents have really come to appreciate what we have.”
From past development to future possibilities, the Downtown Area Plan heralds an exciting future for Holly Springs.
Where to Go for Fall Fun in Holly Springs
BY JENNIFER AXNESS
Dive into autumn in Holly Springs with a mix of exciting activities for everyone
Catch Canine-Con 2024 on September 21 at Sugg Farm, 8 a.m.–12 p.m., for dog events, demos, food trucks, rescues, pet-friendly activities and rabies/ microchipping vet services. Learn more at hollyspringsnc.gov/355/ Canine-Con.
Visit The Family Farm on Avent Ferry—a working farm that’s been in the same family for over six generations—starting September 28 for fall decorations, animal visits, hay bale climbing and pumpkinpicking. Open daily in pumpkin season, weather permitting. Visit thefamilyfarmonaventferry.com for more information.
Don’t miss the Wings Over Springs Charity Fly In on October 5 at Sugg Farm, featuring spectacular RC model aircraft displays and fun
for the whole family. Find out more at hssrcg.org/events/wings-oversprings-charity-fly-in.
For Halloween, the Haunted Trail at Sugg Farm on October 13 offers scary scenes and a host of zombies for those ages 14+, while the Family Spooktacular on October 14 offers candy, games, costume contests and more for the kids—all set to the ghostly tunes of the Skeleton Crew quartet. Find out more at hollyspringsnc.gov/1610/ Haunted-Trail.
Cap off the month by celebrating community spirit at Holly Springs’ beloved annual HollyFest at Sugg Farm (October 26), featuring live entertainment, local artists and delicious food. Learn more at hollyspringsnc.gov/356/HollyFest.
Sunset over The Family Farm on Avent Ferry. Photo courtesy of The Family Farm on Avent Ferry.
SPOTLIGHT
Asia’s Cakes Offers a Warm Welcome
BY MIKE RUMBLE
The old building at 113 N. Main Street in Holly Springs, a former repair shop, had been vacant for years. It was an eyesore. That all changed this past May when Asia’s Cakes moved in, transforming the building with a new coat of paint, outdoor seating and a bright yellow awning stamped with the enticing word “bakery.”
The bakery’s founder, India Matlock, has had baking in her soul since she was four years old. Her dad was a baker, and a love for the art of baking runs in her family. When the pandemic hit, she was baking cakes in her home, and as the pandemic’s impact receded, her business was still booming due to loyal clients who helped promote their good experience to others. Matlock was able to move into a brick-andmortar shop.
Today, Asia’s Cakes offers visitors a cozy area where they can read over pastries and coffee. The business still emphasizes cakes, which Matlock offers in traditional flavors such as chocolate and vanilla, but also in more elaborate flavors, such as Reese’s and
Oreo funfetti for the kids and butter pecan, Italian cream and banana pudding for adults. She will work with her clients if they have a special flavor or design in mind.
In Matlock’s new location, many of her staff are young people working at their first jobs. In fact, she named the bakery after her first child, Asia, who also assists Matlock at the bakery. “Through teaching and making her feel [like she’s] an active part of the bakery, she [plans to] take over when I retire,” says Matlock.
Giving back to the community is important to Matlock. “The community supported me through the pandemic when times were tough for everyone, and I want to give back … by providing a place where people feel welcome and at home,” she says.
To learn more about Asia’s cakes, visit their North Main Street location or go to asiascakes.com.
TOP: India Matlock, owner of Asia’s Cakes. BOTTOM: Asia’s Cakes’ strawberry crunch cake. Photos courtesy of Asia’s Cakes.
DEVELOPING DOWNTOWN MORRISVILLE
Where all roads—and bike paths—will lead to a community hub
BY ELIZABETH BRIGNAC
The Town of Morrisville has grown up piece by piece—a residential area here, a retail area there—rather than developing from a central point. “It never developed a natural gathering spot, as you might envision a downtown to be,” says Brandon Zuidema, Morrisville’s town manager. “Morrisville has never had a downtown. So we’re building one.”
I n 2007 Morrisville’s town council adopted the Morrisville Town Center Plan, which established the town’s vision for creating a downtown destination point. The hope is to give
residents a central space that pulls the community together. The town also has “a vision for really bringing a destination point to Morrisville—to [give people] a reason to come [here] that everybody [will] talk about. So if you’re in a coffee shop somewhere else and you’re talking about Morrisville, we want you talking about our downtown,” says Zuidema.
T he town spent several years seeking a developer for the project, purchasing property in the area, collaborating with Wake County Public Libraries to establish the Morrisville
Community Library on the site, and doing other preparatory work. They have formed a publicprivate partnership on the project with Singh Development Company. Now they are ready to start building.
THE PLAN
Morrisville’s downtown will incorporate approximately 25 acres of development around Town Hall Drive for a live/work/play area designed for residential buildings, commercial use, and a park and other community spaces. The first phase of the plan is divided into three development blocks.
B lock A will be the first section to be developed, starti ng in spring 2025. The Morrisville Community Library is its cornerstone. This section will be bound by Town Hall Drive, Jeremiah Street, Foxglove Drive and Carolina Street, and is projected to house both retail and residential spaces. The planned building for this section will wrap around a parking deck on the inside, creating space for both residential and public parking that isn’t an eyesore. Block A should take 24–30 months to complete.
B lock C will be developed concurrently with Block A. This is the area that currently hosts the Western Wake Farmers Market. It will become
a community park bound by Town Hall Drive and Carolina Street on the south and west sides. On the northern and eastern sides, it will be bound by an extension of Foxglove Drive that is part of this section’s development plan—a street that can be closed off for foot traffic during town events. Block C should take 18–24 months to complete.
B lock B will be the final P hase 1 section the town develops. It will be bound by Foxglove Street to the south and Carolina and Jeremiah Streets to the east and west. The town plans a mixture of commercial and residential spaces for this section, but it does not yet have projected start or end dates.
THE PARK
T he downtown community park planned for Block C has, of course, captured residents’ attention. The park’s main entrance is planned for the corner of Carolina Street and Foxglove Drive, where an element combining public art with a water
feature will greet visitors. “We have designed [the water feature] for misters; they will emit a mist of water rather than jets. We wanted to do something different. That’s why we also integrated it with art … we were trying to do something a little bit more creative,” says Todd Rankine, Singh’s director of architecture and planning.
Along Carolina Street, visitors will encounter a series of small recreation spaces, including a natural-feature playground and areas for sitting and relaxing. Cottage retailers will line the extension of Foxglove Drive—coffee vendors, ice cream vendors and similar shops.
T he park will include a new, wide green space that will host the Western Wake Farmers Market and expand the Morrisville E ducational Ga rden. The town also plans an open-air stage
T his area already hums with activity on Saturdays as people enjoy the farmers market. “What we’re looking to do is create a 16-hour, 7-day-perweek active space,” says Mayor T.J. Cawley. “Right now we have those four
LEFT: Conceptual image of The Pockets, a series of small recreation areas planned for Morrisville's new downtown park. RIGHT: Rendering of the mixed-use residental building planned for Block A of the downtown development project. Images courtesy of the Town of Morrisville.
hours on Saturday mornings. We want to expand that to the entire week—and we will with this space.”
LIVING CONNECTED
T he downtown project includes a multi-use trail that will connect the Capital Area Greenway’s Sawmill trail with the Town of Morrisville’s Indian Creek Greenway. “If you look at [downtown Morrisville] as a regional connector point … those greenways connect into all the various other Morrisville parks and community centers and neighborhoods. And then that same greenway will take you out to [William B. Umstead State Park] and into Raleigh. You start thinking about it that way—that you could bike all the way over here from Umstead Park. That’s kind of cool,” says Avi Grewal, Singh’s director of development.
The town envisions making downtown Morrisville a hub for cyclists and others using regional greenways. They also hope the greenways will allow residents to access Morrisville’s downtown without cars. “Our slogan is ‘Live connected. Live well,” says Cawley, “and this downtown will really encapsulate that … I like the expression ‘All roads lead to Rome.’ And here in Morrisville, all the greenways will connect our families to downtown. That’s my goal: From anywhere in town, you’ll be able to get to downtown without a car.”
“ This will be a destination to walk to—to enjoy, and to just meet more people,” Cawley adds. “I like to say that when you have shared experiences, you create shared memories, and that creates a stronger community. And our community is going to be infinitely strengthened through this project, decades in the making.”
Where to Find Fall Fun in Morrisville
BY ELIZABETH LINCICOME
Fall is here! Enjoy the season with Morrisville’s autumnal activities, which highlight all the season has to offer in the way of local produce, Halloween trick-or-treating and the town’s ethnic diversity. Whether you’re on the hunt for seasonal favorites or just welcoming the changing leaves and temperatures, this season’s events in Morrisville offer something for everyone.
Here are some fall fun opportunities in Morrisville.
The Western Wake Farmers Market, which runs all year long, is a great way to enjoy the season while sipping a hot cider, grabbing a variety of cabbages and root vegetables and, of course, hunting for locally grown pumpkins. While you’re there, visit the Morrisville Educational Garden, which was founded in 2018 as part of the Morrisville Community Garden and provides ongoing donations of fall produce to community partners at this time of year.
The town’s annual International Festival will take place September 21, after having been canceled last year due to adverse weather. The festival includes food vendors representing culinary traditions from around the world and performers entertaining the crowds with traditional music and dance performances. The festival’s International Alley features a slew of artisan vendors and cultural groups with a global flair. Visit the Morrisville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources webpage at morrisvillenc.gov to find out more.
Morrisville will hold its Boo Bash on October 26 from 3–6 p.m. This event will bring many youngsters and their families to Morrisville Community Park in costume for tasty treats and exciting Halloween surprises.
Enjoy the change of seasons, and have a pleasant autumn!
Find jewelry, clothing, food and gifts at Morrisville's International Festival in September. Photo courtesy of the Town of Morrisville.
This Phase 1 site rendering shows where each development block in the Downtown Plan will be located. Rendering courtesy of the Town of Morrisville.
resemble truffles, but they are made by mixing cocoa powder with condensed milk rather than utilizing ganache and a chocolate coating. Photos courtesy of Moon Angel Sweets.
Moon Angel Sweets Partners with Local Nonprofits
BY ELIZABETH LINCICOME
Whenlocal entrepreneur Daniela Waterhouse left her native Brazil and settled in North Carolina, she decided to introduce Brazilian culture and food to Americans through Moon Angel Sweets. Moon Angel’s signature product is the brigadeiro, one of Brazil’s most popular sweets, which can be best compared to a truffle.
Waterhouse says finding a location for Moon Angel’s tasting room in Morrisville was an obvious choice. “It was really a no-brainer to have our tasting room here due to our desire to focus on our mail and online orders, as well as catering to the multitude of large corporations around here, and obviously RTP and all three major universities,” says Waterhouse. The tasting room is where she hosts events like wedding tastings, company get-togethers and “make your own brigadeiro” night. The showroom is open one day a week for patrons to pick up online orders.
Waterhouse emphasizes giving back to the community by partnering with five local nonprofits. The most visible of these is Gigi’s Playhouse Raleigh, a nonprofit achievement organization for people with Down syndrome and their families.
“I am thrilled to provide dignified work opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” says Waterhouse. “I love that we employ several wonderful people in the production and packaging of our brigadeiros.”
Moon Angel Sweets also partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina, Hope North Carolina and Extraordinary Ventures. Five percent of each purchase from Moon Angel Sweets goes to the customer’s choice of these charitable giving partners.
Brigadeiros
MEET THE DOCTORS
The Triangle offers some of the highest-quality health care in the country. Here’s your chance to meet local providers and learn more about their services.
PHOTOS BY JENN McKINNEY PHOTOGRAPHY and LEAH MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
HORIZON INTEGRATED WELLNESS GROUP
Dr. Mary Affee
Dr. Mary Affee is a dedicated mental health professional who owns and operates a thriving practice. Specializing in holistic wellness, Dr. Affee has built her career on a foundation of compassion, expertise, and a deep love for helping families and communities achieve mental and emotional well-being.
With a background in social work, education and expressive arts therapy, Dr. Affee believes in the power of creativity as a healing tool. She integrates art, music and movement into her therapeutic philosophy, providing her clients with unique and effective ways to express their emotions and work through their challenges. This innovative approach has made her practice a beacon of hope for many who feel disconnected from traditional therapy methods.
Dr. Affee's love for life is evident in her practice’s friendly atmosphere and in the team she has cultivated. She has created a space that feels more like a collaborative, warm center than a clinical office, filled with vibrant artwork, comfortable seating and welcoming areas designated for group activities and workshops. Her warm, empathetic approach immediately puts her clients and staff at ease, allowing them to explore their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
Beyond her individual and group therapy sessions, Dr. Affee is deeply involved in community outreach. She organizes wellness workshops, family counseling sessions and community art projects that bring people together and foster connection and support. Her commitment to community wellbeing extends to participation in local events and collaboration with schools and other organizations to promote mental health awareness and education.
Dr. Affee's dedication to her clients and her community is unwavering. She finds immense joy in seeing her clients grow, heal and thrive. Her practice is not just a place for therapy; it’s a sanctuary for creativity, connection and holistic healing, reflecting her profound belief in the transformative power of expressive arts and wellness.
120 Towerview Court, Cary 919.585.5085
horizonintegratedwellnessgroup.com
LANE & ASSOCIATES FAMILY DENTISTRY
(Left to Right) Dr. Don Bailey, Dr. Raleigh Wright, Dr. Mazin Aziz and Dr. Don Lane
Lane & Associates Family Dentistry (LAA) is the official team dentist of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes.
As one of the largest dental practices of North Carolina and long-term partners of the PNC Arena, LAA is thrilled to announce their certification in sports dentistry! Most people are unaware that professional hockey teams have team dentists, and some may feel that having them is a little excessive. But anyone who has witnessed a live hockey game knows that it is one of the most vicious contact sports in the world. LAA plans to change the reputation of the “hockey smile”—the smile with missing teeth that comes to mind when people associate teeth and hockey.
“After practicing dentistry for 20 years, you would think you’ve seen it all. While NHL hockey injuries aren’t common in most dental practices, other traumatic injuries are. Our training as certified sports dentists has equipped us, not only to handle Canes players, but to also see patients or their families through traumatic dental injuries,” says Dr. Don Bailey.
Sports dentistry is important because it focuses on preventing and treating oral injuries that can occur during sports activities, in addition to higher-risk dental accidents. Dental injuries can range from chipped or cracked teeth to more serious issues like tooth avulsion (complete tooth loss). LAA is dedicated to education, which plays a vital role in sports dentistry and emergency situations.
“Having a sports dentistry certification helps me provide timely treatment and preventative services, not only to athletes, but also to all patients in need of emergency dental care,” says Dr. Mazin Aziz.
For four decades, Lane & Associates has been committed to offering the best comprehensive approach to dentistry, protecting and preserving the dental health of athletes, children, teenagers and adults across North Carolina. We continue to ensure that the safety of our patients and staff is our number one priority.
At Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, we love to make you smile!
With over 50 general practices and 10 specialty practices 1.877.LANE.DDS (877.526.3337) lanedds.com
VASCULAR SOLUTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA
Dr. Sid Rao, Dr. Brian Wolf and Dr. Hardayal Singh
Dr. Sid Rao, founder of Vascular Solutions of North Carolina, specializes in transarterial embolization (TAE) for chronic musculoskeletal pain. Using this procedure, more than 200 patients over the past year have improved their quality of life by relieving chronic musculoskeletal pain due to conditions like osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder, wrist and ankle, as well as sports injuries like tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, chronic tendinitis and bursitis. Vascular Solutions boasts up to a 90% success rate with TAE. The non-surgical, outpatient procedure takes 30—45 minutes right here in our office, after which patients experience a brief recovery and are then able to walk out. Results vary from immediate relief to relief coming over a couple of weeks, and the effects can last over two years.
Dr. Rao's multidisciplinary team includes Dr. Brian Wolf, a board-certified interventional pain specialist with extensive experience in managing complex pain conditions, and Dr. Hardayal Singh, a Duke-trained orthopedic surgeon known for his expertise in joint preservation and sports injuries. Together, they provide comprehensive chronic pain management, offering patients a holistic approach to care.
1000 Crescent Green #102, Cary 919.897.5999 vascularsolutions.org
WAKE FAMILY EYE CARE
Dr. Amjad Badwan (right) and Dr. Keller Hopkins (left)
Going to the eye doctor shouldn't be scary or confusing. We like to make it fun, personal and educational. We're putting the “I Care” into Eye Care.
In the heart of Cary, Wake Family Eye Care stands as a beacon of advanced technology and compassionate care led by Dr. Amjad Badwan and Dr. Keller Hopkins. Their practice is a blend of innovation and individualized touches, where state-of-the-art techniques meet a commitment to patient understanding.
Dr. Badwan brings over 17 years of experience, seamlessly integrating modern technology with a personal approach. His role extends beyond primary care to his specialized dry eye clinic, where cutting-edge treatments like intense pulsed light (IPL), low-level light therapy and thermal expression are used to provide substantial relief. Dr. Badwan’s approach is thorough and clear. He takes time to explain each condition and treatment in detail, ensuring patients fully understand their options and feel confident in their care.
Dr. Hopkins offers a contemporary perspective on retinal care, utilizing the latest diagnostic tools to manage conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. His diabetic eye clinic focuses on early detection and proactive management, while his glaucoma program emphasizes patient education. Dr. Hopkins excels in translating complex medical information into understandable terms, helping patients grasp their conditions and the necessary steps for effective management.
Together, Dr. Badwan and Dr. Hopkins create a practice where advanced technology and personalized care converge. At Wake Family Eye Care, every patient receives exceptional treatment and a comprehensive understanding of their eye health journey. The doctors’ combined expertise ensures that whether addressing routine eye exams or specialized conditions, patients are met with clarity and compassion.
100 Parkway Office Court, Suite 112, Cary 919.859.0777
wakefamilyeyecare.com
AVANCE CARE
Todd Barton, PA-C
Avance Care Morrisville is excited to announce Todd Barton, PA-C has joined their medical team! Todd is a board-certified physician assistant. He completed his undergraduate studies at North Carolina State University while working as a cardiac catheterization lab assistant, where his passion for cardiovascular health grew. This led him to pursue a career as a physician assistant, focusing on preventive care to help patients achieve optimal health.
After completing his studies in Virginia, Todd returned to the Raleigh area to practice primary care. He enjoys the comprehensive
nature of primary care and is particularly interested in sports medicine, cardiovascular disease and diabetes management.
Todd is a valuable addition to Morrisville, increasing access to exceptional care for adults, children and seniors at Avance Care Morrisville.
Offering a wide range of services, from annual wellness checks and preventive care to acute and chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, Avance Care Morrisville also includes a behavioral health therapist and registered dietitian on its team, acknowledging that mental health
and nutrition play a big role in patients’ overall health.
In addition to providing comprehensive care, Avance Care makes accessing their services convenient by offering extended and weekend office hours, same- or next-day appointments and online appointment requests.
6402 McCrimmon Parkway, Suite 100, Morrisville 919.655.1000
avancecare.com
AVANCE CARE
Dr. Christine Macomber and Dr. Keri Fitzsimmons (inset image)
Avance Care West Cary offers care for children of all ages. With over 45 years of experience between Keri Fitzsimmons, MD and Christine Macomber, MD, there is no better place for pediatric care in Cary.
Dr. Fitzsimmons has been practicing pediatrics for over 20 years. Previously a teacher, she embraces education, prevention and a holistic approach to children’s health. She emphasizes healthy habits such as nutrition, exercise and peer activity.
Dr. Fitzsimmons enjoys working with new families to care for their newborns and the dynamics of growing families, including medical and personal challenges.
Dr. Macomber, who has been practicing pediatrics for over 25 years, enjoys collaborating with her patients to help them live healthier and happier lives. As a mother of four, she understands the challenges of implementing recommendations and works with families to create manageable goals that fit their lifestyles.
With wellness checks, vaccines, physicals, screenings and more, Avance Care West Cary offers everything parents and guardians need to keep their children healthy and thriving. Expecting mothers can meet our pediatricians before delivering so they can feel confident and comfortable in
who will be caring for their children. We also provide same-day sick visits and extended/ weekend hours, ensuring each child receives prompt care when needed.
7750 McCrimmon Parkway, Suite 100, Cary 919.234.1577
avancecare.com
GOODALL FAMILY DENTISTRY
Dr. Tina Goodall and Dr. Chris Booker
Goodall Family Dentistry has been providing general dental services to the Cary community for nearly 15 years. With an emphasis on compassionate care, educating our patients and quality dentistry, our team strives to treat every patient as part of our extended family.
We opened our doors with a mind toward creating an office where people can enjoy coming to the dentist. It’s not unusual to hear laughter and lively conversation here. We believe a positive attitude toward dental health results in a healthier community, and we are determined to encourage this approach. Our youngest patients are no exception. We have a children’s room with soothing décor and a gentle team dedicated to making kids smile. Parents can schedule appointments alongside their children.
Recent research has taught us more about the connections between dental health and whole-body health, which has led us to take on a more holistic approach to oral care. We collaborate with other health care providers, and we even have a health coach on staff. When you come in as a patient, don’t be surprised if we ask questions about your health, because dental care is part of caring for your body.
Our dentists entered the field because they wanted to change lives. At Goodall Family Dentistry we’re doing just that—one smile at a time!
2128 High House Road, Suite 200, Cary 919.336.5245 goodallfamilydentistry.com
PARKWAY SLEEPHEALTH CENTERS
Jenna Kenney, MS-PA and Dr. Singar Jagadeesan, ABPN, ABSM, ABIM
Dr. Singar Jagadeesan and the team at Parkway SleepHealth Centers are committed to providing high-quality diagnosis, management and treatment of sleep disorders. Parkway takes pride in offering a comprehensive approach—sleep studies, home sleep tests, consultations, and CPAP machines and supplies all in one convenient location in Cary.
“Dr. Jag” and physician assistants Jenna Kenney and Holly Mathews are dedicated to helping their patients understand and treat their sleep disorders. They recognize
the relationship between sleep, physical health and mental health and are driven to resolve their patients’ sleep problems in an effort to improve the overall well-being of each individual.
Parkway SleepHealth Centers has been locally owned and operated for over 20 years. Our patients often experience shorter wait times for appointments, usually completing a sleep study or home sleep test within weeks, not months. We also keep CPAP machines and supplies in stock, ensuring a quick and easy process
for those who may need a new machine or updated CPAP supplies.
If you are suffering from snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs or another sleep issue, Parkway SleepHealth Centers can help. You can easily schedule your appointment with Dr. Jag, Jenna, or Holly by visiting parkwaysleep.com.
130 Preston Executive Drive, Suite 101, Cary 919.462.8081 parkwaysleep.com
ZANETTA JAMISON IS WEARING the Zoya sari skirt set by Julie Patel of Julkee Fashion layered with a demi-buff waffled mink jacket from Douglas Furs. She is wearing Splendida heels by Valentina Rangoni from Rangoni Firenze.
From Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, she is wearing 1.5-inch inside-outside diamond hoop earrings in 14 karat yellow gold and an 18 karat yellow gold emerald cut coil ring, along with a Bailey’s Club Collection Big Girl X Ring. Also from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, she is wearing a radiant-cut fancy yellow 17-inch diamond necklace in 18 karat yellow and white gold, a 16-inch diamond Riviera necklace in 18 karat white gold, and a three-row, mixed-shape fancy yellow diamond bracelet in 18 karat yellow gold.
GLAM SEASON pr eparin g for the
written by crystal watts | styled by sofia lujan styling hair & makeup by evelisse Hahn | photos by jessica bratton photography
Fall brings in the most influential fashion season of the year with the debut of designers’ most extravagant collections—and rightfully so, as we enter the height of the year’s social scene.
Here, we see three outfits by designer Sofia Lujan in the magnificent home of Raleigh interior designer Tula Summerford, owner of Design by Tula. Enjoy these elegant ensembles worthy of this season's fashion trendsetters. These outfits will carry you through the fall and holiday seasons—from evenings spent at “The Nutcracker” ballet or a concert with the Trans‑Siberian Orchestra to cocktail parties sparkling with champagne. Special thanks to: Bailey's Fine Jewelry (baileybox.com), Douglas Furs (fursandjewelry.com), Fallon's Flowers (fallonsflowers.com), Fleur (fleur boutique.com), Julkee Fashion (julkeefashion.com), Liles Clothing Studio (lilesclothingstudio.com), Main & Taylor (mainandtaylorshoes.com), Rangoni Firenze (rangonistore.com), Tula Summerford (designbytula.com).
S HAUN SMITH IS WEARING a Caruso suit in charcoal, a Stenstroms striped yellow dress shirt, a Geoff Nicholson pocket square, a Liles bespoke tie, and Di Bianco dress shoes, all from Liles Clothing Studio.
From Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, Shaun is wearing a 2022 42-millimeter automatic Rolex Sky-Dweller watch in 18 karat yellow gold and sterling silver with a champagne dial and a fluted bezel.
SOPHIE LAPIERRE IS WEARING a dress from Fleur and holding a gold Napa flap bag by Sondra Roberts from Main & Taylor. She is wearing Jenu T-strap shoes designed by Chie Mihara, also from Main & Taylor.
From Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, Sophie is wearing citrine hexagon halo drop earrings in 14 karat yellow gold. She is wearing three Bailey’s Estate bracelets: a mid-century woven intertwined bracelet in 18 karat yellow gold; a Tiffany diagonal link textured bracelet, circa 1960, in 18 karat yellow gold; and a wide-dome mesh bracelet in 14 karat yellow gold. The rings she is wearing are a Bailey’s Estate 18 karat yellow gold pear-shaped citrine cocktail ring and a morganite and diamond emerald-cut bezel-set ring.
FIVE FABULOUS INTERNATIONAL GROCERIES
These Western Wake food markets offer global options to please every palate
BY KYLE MARIE M C MAHON | PHOTOS BY JOSH MANNING
As of 2022, nearly 14% of Wake County residents were born outside the U.S., and that number is increasing. Grocery stores with an international focus support individuals and families moving here from abroad, allowing them access to hard-to-find foods and produce from their countries of origin. They also offer opportunities for Western Wake locals unfamiliar with these regions to expand their horizons—to try something new and to create cultural connections within the community. Here are a few popular, locally owned grocery stores with great international flavor.
G OLDEN HEX EUROPEAN GROCERIES & DELI
1200 NW Maynard Road, Cary goldenhex.com
Golden Hex carries nearly anything a prospective cook could need for preparing Eastern European dishes. The store’s large, bright space is clean and polished. The price tags include the flag and name of the country from which the item was imported,
including countries such as Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova.
Those looking to cook can find a variety of ingredients—from caviar and canned and smoked fish to pickled vegetables, sauces, grains, baking ingredients and more. The store offers some fresh produce, but the deli counter is where it really shines, with its ample offering of sliced meats. The store also has a small housewares selection, including pots and seeds.
For those new to Eastern European cuisine, Golden Hex offers many prepackaged meals. But consider visiting the fresh foods area, which includes a hot/cold bar that varies in its offerings. Examples of the rotating selection include solyanka (a thick and sour soup), blintzes and pickled vegetables. Nearby, you can get mini pancakes (sirniki) and dumplings (pelmeni) by the pound to take home and cook. The dessert counter includes several cakes available to order by the pound, with flavors such as plum and honey. The store also offers a pleasant seating area to enjoy your selections.
Grand Asia Market is a bright, colorful store with an extensive produce section.
G RAND ASIA MARKET
1253 Buck Jones Road, Raleigh grandasiamarket.com
Grand Asia Market provides ingredients for a wide swath of cuisines across East Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and more. The store is open and vibrantly decorated, so while it has a traditional grocery store feel, shopping there also feels warm and welcoming.
The signs above the aisles guide visitors toward ingredients like rice, sauces, seeds, snacks, spices, meats and tofu. The large housewares selection includes rice cookers, bowls and decorations. The produce section offers a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, from bok choy and mushrooms to fuzzy squash and eddo root. The fresh seafood section is expansive, and the staff professionally cleans and cuts your selections while you shop.
Those not looking to cook can get food from the hot bar, like salted duck or dumplings. Repeat customers also say the bakery is not to be missed. Try a variety of savory or slightly sweet buns, pudding cake and cookies, and wash them down with a boba tea.
B OMBAY CENTRAL
10966 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville bombaycentralnc.com
From staple foods such as rava (semolina flour), lentils, beans and poha (flattened rice) to ghee, pickles, sauces and spices, Bombay Central offers anything a chef is likely to need to cook an authentic Indian dish, including the pans in which to cook them. Prepackaged meals and snack foods such as fryums, a potato starch and sago-based treat, are also available in this ample store. Bombay Central offers a large selection of fruits and vegetables, including herbs like cilantro, curry and bitter melon. The meat counter has a halal butcher featuring different cuts of beef, chicken and goat, including soup bones.
The cafe offers a bright and welcoming dining area in which to enjoy a meal. With both regular and vegetarian options, the menu offers a lot to choose from, but repeat customers suggest the vada pav sandwiches, which are made with fried potato dumplings. Follow the meal up with a fresh dessert like gulab jamun—fried sweets made of a milk product called khoya mixed
with flour and soaked in a sweet, spiced syrup. You might also enjoy a glass of fresh sugarcane juice.
L A BONITA TIENDA Y CARNICERIA
836 E. Chatham Street, Cary facebook.com/labonitacary
A Mexican-focused market, La Bonita is a one-stop shop for Hispanic cuisine. Pick up staples like beans, sauces and spices, and then visit the produce section for tomatoes, peppers and more unique ingredients like nopales (cacti) and savila (aloe vera).
A butcher shop as well as a grocery store, La Bonita boasts a large meat counter and an ample queso selection.
The store offers a wide variety of freshly prepared foods to try, including pupusas, wings, tamales and salsa. Customers rave about the fresh corn tortillas, which you can either eat in-house or purchase for your dinner at home. For a sweet treat, choose among the many cookies or grab a slice of tres leches cake.
CARY AFRICAN & CARIBBEAN MARKET
1435 SE Maynard Road, Cary caryafricancaribbean.market
While Cary African & Caribbean Market is smaller than the others on this list, it offers a great selection of ingredients specific to African and Caribbean regions, such as ugali flour, soursop and a variety of spices. The store has a fresh meat counter and small produce section, which carries ingredients like jute leaves, yuca and yams. There is no hot meal option, but they offer prepackaged meals and snacks, and also fresh kenkay (steamed, fermented corn dough wrapped in corn husks, native to Ghana).
Shoppers should also note that, while Cary’s popular Asian supermarket H Mart is a national chain, it contracts with local vendors for prepared food outlets housed within the store, so it’s a great place to try international foods from many local chefs.
While customers from outside these supermarkets’ cultures may encounter language barriers at some of these shops—either in the lack of translation on the packaging or the unfamiliar food names—the experience provides a chance to step outside traditional American grocery stores and learn about the wide variety of food options available in Western Wake.
Western Wake has many more international specialty food markets than we were able to include here. For an article on more international grocery options available in Western Wake, please scan the QR code above.
Golden Hex European Groceries & Deli offers a wide variety of Eastern European food options.
STEP INSIDE THE STUDIO
Apex’s creative new business: part artists’ studio and part handmade gift shop
BY SAMANTHA GRATTON | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STUDIO
If you’re looking for locally crafted treasures, stroll down the street in downtown Apex and head to The Studio, whose tagline says it all: “a maker space, for makers, by makers.” You’ll find a wide variety of 20 different local artists’ wares, all beautifully arranged and ready for you to take home. The Studio’s owners believe everyone who walks in should get some sort of “treat”—
whether that’s the freshly baked cookie they share, a handmade creation you buy, inspiration from one of their classes or maybe even a friendly hello from the shop dog.
The Studio is one of Apex’s newest additions to its downtown as of April 2024, and its owners are making themselves at home on West Chatham Street. Lauren Hooper, Jamie Rayner and Caitlyn Frank are the creatives,
shop owners and founders of The Studio. They curate local pieces and make their own works in-house. Their shared collaboration and vision extend to those who come into The Studio, offering visitors the sense of being one of the group—and maybe even inspiring them to create something themselves.
“ We want it to feel very inspiring to people, whether or not they are
makers,” says Hooper. “So everything is really fun and colorful. We want people to take home a little treat and know that a real person made this thing, and feel connected to that maker community.”
MEET THE MAKERS
R ayner began her career in television news in New Bern and later moved to the Cayman Islands for six years. She originally envisioned a life of climbing the corporate ladder in the communications field, but after returning to the U.S. right before the pandemic and not being able to find a job, she had to pivot. Rayner knew she wanted one day to become a small business owner, and she decided to create her own job. She now makes handcrafted soaps and soy candles, selling them through Moonstone Soap & Candle Company.
Frank, who grew up in Cary, moved to California and worked as an elementary school teacher for years. At the beginning of each year she’d ask her students what they wanted to be when they grew up—and one day, she realized her own answer to that question was “florist” instead of “teacher.” After working for other florists for a while, Frank went out on her own. She specializes in creating custom floral art for weddings, events and special occasions through her business, Golden Flora. “I’ve never worked as hard in my life on anything,” says Frank, “but it has been very fulfilling and exactly what I want to be doing.”
Hooper, originally from South Carolina, began her career as a school social worker before spending a few years teaching abroad in South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. She wanted to do something that fulfilled her creatively after moving to North Carolina. Today, she makes colorful polymer clay earrings as the owner of Lauren Likes.
W hile their businesses began individually, the three creatives met while working side-by-side at a co-working space in Cary in 2023.
Before long, they determined they would thrive in their own space and joined together to make it possible. They needed a retail space to sell their creations, natural light with plenty of counter space for their work, an outdoor gathering space, and a kitchen where they could make candles and soap. After much searching, they came upon the historic building in downtown Apex that houses The Studio today. They knew right away it was exactly what they needed.
THE SHOP
W ith the help of their families and community, Frank, Hooper and Rayner renovated the big white house on Chatham Street. They painted the walls with colorful murals that curl around the room like ribbons. The outdoor sign, workshop tables, display tables and custom countertop for the register were built by family members. The styles of all three makers and their businesses were blended to build a space at which they all love to work each day.
I n addition to running their individual pursuits, they’ve taken on new roles in their collaborative
business. Hooper runs the social media, Rayner oversees the retail space, and Frank is the “house mama” who keeps everyone organized.
I n addition to setting up a workshop and retail space for themselves, they recruited other makers to be a part of what they were doing. Rayner says they asked themselves, “How do we create a thriving space for us and other creators, and then an environment that is fun and welcoming and creative?”
An illustrator and a henna artist also now call The Studio home for their workspaces. The rotating group of 20 local artists with retail goods for sale are all chosen and promoted with care. The owners want to foster a supportive space—one that uniquely appreciates and empathizes with the needs of working artists.
“ We’re in the thick of it. We’re all three running our own businesses that do workshops, that do these creative things … We understand exactly what it’s like to be in their shoes,” says Frank. “I definitely feel like that is a different advantage we have. These are our people.”
THIS PAGE, LEFT: Golden Flora bouquests, ready to be taken home. RIGHT: Candles, coasters and other items by local artists for sale at The Studio. OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT: Jamie Rayner, Caitlyn Frank and Lauren Hooper, owners of The Studio, on the business’ front porch. TOP: A view of The Studio’s shop floor. Bottom: Lori Melliere of Papermill Creative is one of the artists who sells her work at The Studio.
SHALIMAR WAFFA
MAGICAL ESCAPE, 2024
OIL ON CANVAS, 48 " X 48 "
“I gravitate toward fantastical escapes, like Disney movies, where I look for magical worlds. I want people to look at my work and leave the world’s chaos and the everyday grind we all feel behind.”
—Shalimar Waffa
A MAGICAL ESCAPE
Cary-based painter Shalimar Waffa creates fantastical worlds with a palette knife and oil paint that give the viewer a mental escape. Her work is rooted in her life’s journey, from her adoption experience to her later fertility issues and motherhood.
Waffa is known for her small, detailed florals, highly textured surfaces and depth of layer and color, as seen in her artwork “Magical Escape,” 2024. “Magical Escape” takes the viewer on a journey through a forest of wildflowers leading to a large body of water. The flowers remind the viewer of fairies like Tinkerbell, glowing pink and neon yellow and using gold powder as pixie dust. The concept for “Magical Escape” inspired Waffa’s latest collection of pieces, “Fantastical Escape,” launching November 8–9 at her studio and art gallery in downtown Cary.
Waffa’s studio and gallery are open by appointment. You can view more of her artwork on Instagram (@artbyshalimar) and her website (artbyshalimar.com).
A SECOND ACT IN HOCKEY
Former Carolina Hurricane Jay Harrison is bringing mental health front and center
BY KURT DUSTERBERG
Carolina Hurricanes fans will remember Jay Harrison as a steady, physical defenseman.
From 2009–2015, he played a rugged game in front of the Carolina net, often willing to fight when the team needed a spark. He wasn’t flashy, but he did have a knack for heroics, scoring two overtime goals.
Jay Harrison played for the Carolina Hurricanes for six years before retiring from hockey and becoming a psychologist. Photos courtesy of the Carolina Hurricanes.
It was an impressive stretch of hockey, but that was the view from a distance. Few people knew the stress Harrision dealt with in carving out a role in the National Hockey League.
“ There’s a lot to unpack there. It kind of strikes a nerve,” Harrison says. “There were times I loved the game, and there were times when I didn’t. But I realized how much I was willing to endure to do what I love.”
Eight years into his retirement from the game, the player known as “Harry” is now Dr. Jay Harrison, a psychologist who works with athletes and other high performers. Today, he is at the forefront of a movement in professional sports to acknowledge the mental health issues athletes face, including depression,
anxiety and substance abuse. Through the National Hockey League Players’ Association, he administers a program called First Line. More than 20 NHL players have completed the program, which is taught in a group setting and provides peer-to-peer support. “We’re collectively seeing that across the sports society, there’s a greater courage and willingness to recognize that caring for and contributing to your mental health is something we can do,” he says.
Harrison’s pro hockey career equipped him with considerable empathy. He began with six seasons in the minor leagues that resulted in just 13 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. When he signed a contract with a pro team in Switzerland, he thought
his NHL career was over. But after a brief return to the Maple Leafs, he caught the eye of the Hurricanes. Even with the Carolina team, his NHL life came with realities few others could imagine. “I lived at the Residence Inn at Crabtree [in Raleigh],” Harrison said. “We brought our second daughter home there. That’s where we lived at the time. When you start seeing life through a lens like that, we are just like everyone.
“The opportunity [to play professionally] is a very small window. The pressure that people might put on themselves can be very, very high. You accumulate some unique stresses being a professional athlete, like the risk of injury, increased media scrutiny, the high emphasis on performance day in and day out. It can become an unmanageable load if not addressed and cared for appropriately.”
Paul Maurice coached Harrison in Toronto as well as through three seasons with the Hurricanes, and he underscores why his former player is suited for his current role. “He’s been there, and that is hard,” says Maurice, who led the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup in June. “He was in that purgatory for defensemen. You could spend time with the NHL team and not get in the lineup because sometimes younger players would come up and play ahead of you. I think he’s a really good guy, having had experience in what he’s talking about. He can articulate things. He’s very well spoken.”
Not all the stress that players feel is generated by what happens on the ice. Everyday life often looks different to a professional athlete, particularly when it comes to family life.
“There is some maturation that has to happen because of the inherent selfcenteredness of being a professional
athlete,” Harrison says. “With many high performers, what they do is who they are. It’s about finding some of the stable parts of who you are that aren’t related to how you perform on a day in and day out basis.”
Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal, who was Harrison’s teammate for four seasons, believes the retired defenseman is ideal for his new role.
“I’m sure he’d understand everything the players go through, the ups and downs of a career and the pressures you have playing in this league,” Staal says. “There are hard times for everybody. It’s not only that—there’s life, too. There’s stuff outside the rink that can catch up with you and affect your play. No one is immune to it. Guys like that are great to rely on so you can go out and enjoy the game and all the blessings you have.”
A fter his time with the Carolina Hurricanes, Harrison finished his playing career with one season with the Winnipeg Jets. But the Oshawa, Ontario native settled in Raleigh, where his four daughters have him focused on a new sport.
“ They’re softball players,” says Harrison, who coaches his 13-year-old’s teams. “It’s a sport I’ve grown to love and appreciate, and learn a lot about. It’s lots of fun.”
The softball dad takes pleasure in participating in sports at a simpler level. But after a pro hockey career filled with highs and lows, his second act in the game could make a greater impact than he made as a player.
“I learned a lot about tolerating frustration—the difference between being patient and being complacent,” Harrison says. “Had my journey to the NHL been quicker, maybe my life would look very different. But it expanded to seeing myself and developing myself in a different way.”
