t h e A n n ua l 7th d i s c o v e r o u r r e a d e r s ’ favo r i t e s !
Ellen
thought
and team
Photography by HuthPhoto
september/october 2024 CHATHAMMAGAZINENC.COM
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the best is yet to come
Welcome to our seventh annual Best of Chatham issue! We are excited to unveil the results of this year’s poll, where readers like you voted for your favorites across nearly 80 categories ranging from dining and services to home & garden, retail and arts & entertainment. Your votes – and enthusiastic participation – have made this issue a celebration of everything that makes Chatham County such a vibrant and unique place to live, work and explore. Check out the winners beginning on page 47.
We’ve also expanded our Out & About section this issue to include a special fall arts guide highlighting events, festivals and performances that will keep your calendars full in the coming months – check it out beginning on page 8. For pet lovers, our resource guide on page 100 is packed with everything you need to know to care for your furry friends.
I’m particularly excited to share a tour of a remarkable farmhouse in this issue. With its rich history of 130 years (or more!), this beautiful home offers a fascinating glimpse into our county’s architectural past – and how its story continues to unfold today.
We hope this issue inspires you to continue supporting local businesses and exploring all the wonderful offerings they have to share with us. And again, thank you for helping to shine a spotlight on the very best of Chatham! cm
Take good care,
morgan.weston@chathammagazinenc.com
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pencil us in
Check out our Triangle-wide event calendar for even more ways to enjoy where you live.
The Cover Photo by JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
best of chatham
48 Global Palate
Let these readers’ favorite restaurants be your culinary compass
58 Awesome Sauce
A Polynesian family serves up Hawaiian-style barbecue in Pittsboro
62 Wake-Up Call
Start your day with one of our readers’ favorite bakeries, coffee shops and brunch spots
68 Shake It Up
Try these top-notch libations at your next soiree
70 Homegrown Goodness
Discover two family-run farms behind some of our readers’ favorite local products
80 Interior Innovators
Our readers’ favorite interior design professionals share their favorite tips, tricks and projects
90 Ultimate Unwind
A local’s guide to self-care
96 Paw-Fect Days Ahead
A few of our readers’ fave boarders and vets share their tips for keeping your pets happy and healthy this autumn
Culture Club
our vibrant entertainment scene 106 Family Fun
Create lasting memories at these readers’ favorite art studios, event spaces and adventure havens that offer activities for all ages
112 Best of Chatham 2024 Winners
100 Animal House
A guide to area vets, animal hospitals, groomers, boarders, pet sitters, dog parks and rescue organizations
124 Restoration & Relaxation
A historical home gets a new lease on life
144 Building Dreams Discover the future of home design at the 2024 Triangle Parade of Homes departments
Letter from the Editor 8 Out & About 6 events you won’t want to miss, plus our fall arts guide
Noted. What we’ve heard around our towns … 38 Who’s Who in Town & County Government Meet Neha M. Shah, director of Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau 148 Here We Grow Again Updates on developments, real estate and future projects
people & places
2024 Women of Achievement Luncheon
PBO Pride at The Plant
Black History Bus Tour at the Juneteenth Black Arts Festival
A Taste of Chatham at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center
Chatham Chamber of Commerce’s
Women of Achievement Celebration
Andrews & Horowitz
Mead Fest
Sept. 21
Celebrate all things mead at Starrlight Mead’s mini Renaissance fair of food, fanfare and, of course, meads. Sip samples from BMC Brewing, Fair Game Beverage Company and Honeygirl Meadery while watching sword-fighting demos from the Knightly Order of the Fiat Lux or throwing axes with Chatham Axes. Accessorize your historical wear with Luci Belle Lu Designs’s chain mail jewelry or Glimmerfae Creations’ fairy wings and crowns, plus try the smoked meats of Lilly Den Farm as you wander the grounds. starrlightmead.com
out&about
PepperFest
Sept. 29
Turn up the heat at The Plant’s 17th annual festival celebrating sustainable agriculture, local farmers and inventive culinary professionals. Shop at the pop-up market or peruse the pepper patch and chat with farmers – but don’t miss the hot sauce competition, where brave attendees put their taste buds to the test, then cool off from their trial by fire with food and beverages from local brewers. theplantnc.com
Goldston Old Fashion Day
Oct. 12
6
events you won't want to miss
Embrace the rich history of Goldston with an all-day street festival. Wander the Goldston Commercial Historic District and peruse local arts, crafts, pottery and jewelry, then admire an impressive display of classic cars and antique farm equipment. Be sure to grab a snack from one of the many food vendors, like sweets and cakes by Natalie Powers or roasted corn on the cob from Boy Scout Troop No. 900 facebook.com/goldstonoldfashionday
PHOTO BY BECKY STARR
PHOTO BY ADRIAN MORENO
PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA DENKINS
Compiled by IZABELLA COUNTS
FALL ARTS GUIDE
Come Out and Play Sculpture Show
Sept. 7, Sept. 15 and Sept. 21, noon-8 p.m.
Head to the 17-acre homestead of JimGin Farm for a showcase of arts, animals and family-friendly activities. Shop with local vendors, listen to live music and enjoy free food and drinks while connecting with the artists behind the myriad mixed-media sculptures displayed across the Pittsboro property. comeoutandplay.info
Meet the Authors: Beatrice Boggs Allen and Belle Boggs
Sept. 7, 2-3 p.m.
Embrace the fun-filled possibilities of plant pets with authors Belle Boggs and Beatrice Boggs Allen, a mother-daughter duo excited to talk about their new book, “Plant Pets.” Preorder a copy from McIntyre’s Books, then head to Chatham Community Library’s Holmes Meeting Room for the event. chathamcountync.gov
Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention
Sept. 12-14
Hop on down to the fiddlers’ favorite fall event for a weekend of contests, workshops, showcases and community building. With 12 adult contest categories and over $5,000 in prizes, this convention brings together droves of traditional music lovers to camp and dance at Shakori Hills Community Arts Center every year. hoppinjohn.org
Poetry Event With Gary Phillips
Sept. 20, 6 p.m.
The former poet laureate of Carrboro heads to Pittsboro Gallery of Arts for a night of reading and reflection. He will share poetry from two of his collections, “Subjects Suitable for Poetry” and “The Boy The Brave Girls,” exploring his rural upbringing and connections to nature through loving and hopeful verse. pittsboroarts.org
Fall-O-Ween Trunk R’ Treat
Oct. 25
Siler City Parks and Recreation invites every witch, ghost and pumpkin to its annual event in Bray Park. Let the fall spirit fill the whole family during this night of inflatables, candy, games, activities and costume contests. Extend the night by hanging around for a Friday Night Flicks movie showing of “Hocus Pocus,” where concessions are available for purchase and costumes are encouraged. silercity.org
Pittsboro Street Fair
Oct. 26
Race adult trikes, buy from local food spots and vendors and enjoy a jampacked lineup of live music at the Rotary Club of Pittsboro’s annual street fair. Follow the sounds of lively guitar music downtown to find the expansive market sprawled out between Hanks and Salisbury streets, where businesses like Craft3D, With Grace by Michelle, Silver Prophecy Jewelry and more display a selection of artisan jewelry and unique home decor. rotaryofpittsboro.org/pittsboro-street-fair
Wren Halloween Fest
Oct. 31
Don a creative costume and gather the family for an afternoon of Halloween spirits at Wren Memorial Library Now in its third year, the Wren Halloween Fest invites community members to guess each other’s costumes, play a variety of carnival-style games like ring toss and bowling and snack on candy while enjoying a spooky movie screening. chathamcountync.gov
BY
PHOTO
MIRANDA BOLING
PHOTO BY ANNA-RHESA
VERSOLA
FALL ARTS GUIDE (continued)
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Sept. 21, noon-6 p.m.
The Hispanic Liaison/El Vínculo Hispano hosts this annual festival with food trucks, folkloric dance groups, arts and crafts and live Latin music. Newly situated at Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, the event promises a grand celebration of the North Carolina Latinx community for all to enjoy. hispanicliaison.org
North Carolina Poetry Society Reading
Sept. 29, 2-3 p.m.
Head to McIntyre’s Books for its engaging monthly poetry series. Featured readers this month include Ashley Lumpkin, Michael Gaspeny and Steve Cushman sharing some of their celebrated poetry and prose. fearrington.com/mcintyres-books
Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
Oct. 3-6
Celebrate 20 years of music, dance, art and education at this famous Shakori Hills campout and music extravaganza. Enjoy live performances, interactive workshops, local vendors and vibrant cultural experiences for kids, teens and adults alike. Expect activities such as a guided drum circle, a free-form creative dance experience and sustainability workshops, plus a lineup of dozens of musicians and performance groups rotating through the Shakori Hills stages. shakorihillsgrassroots.org
BY
PHOTO
MORGAN CARTIER
WESTON
FALL ARTS GUIDE (continued)
GreenWood Wrights’Fest
Oct. 11-13
Sharpen your skills and your carving tools at this celebration of traditional crafting methods, hosted by Shakori Hills Community Arts Center. Enjoy days of demos and workshops followed by dancing and musical performances bound to entertain and inspire every spoon carver, bowl turner, chair maker, basket weaver and toolsmith. greenwoodwrightsfest.com
Ancient Arts Festival
Oct. 18-20
Embrace the mysterious and macabre at this celebration of all things tattoos, arts and oddities. This event returns to Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center for its second year, complete with tattoo and costume contests, live music, parades by Paperhand Puppet Intervention, food trucks, art vendors and more. ancientartsfest.com
Wednesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm | Sunday: 12-4pm
Located in Historic Downtown Pittsboro, Just Two Blocks West of the Circle.
Fall for Literacy Luncheon
Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Acclaimed author Jill McCorkle speaks at this eighth annual event hosted by Chatham Literacy to raise money for the organization’s various educational programs, including English language tutoring, financial literacy training and citizenship preparation classes. She’ll discuss her book “Old Crimes,” a collection of stories about conflicted and sympathetic characters searching for meaning in their lives. chathamliteracy.org
Death Faire
Nov. 2, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Explore grief, remembrance and wisdom at this ninth annual event at The Plant, and discover how the changing culture of grief can inspire reflection and community. The event was inspired by the death positivity movement, and it evolves every year. theplantnc.com
Chatham Artists Guild Annual Studio Tour
Dec. 7 and 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Dec. 8 and 15, noon-5 p.m.
Draw back the curtain and peer into the creative spaces of Chatham County’s many talented artists. Chatham Artists Guild facilitates scenic tours of artists’ workshops across the county, from pastoral farmlands to ceramic studios, during its 32nd annual event held across the first two weekends in December. Browse original, affordable art pieces, and learn about the processes and visions that created them on this intimate, much-anticipated tour. chathamartistsguild.org/studio-tour cm
PHOTO
people &places
2024 women of achievement luncheon
Chatham Magazine, Chapel Hill Magazine and Durham Magazine hosted the annual Women of Achievement Luncheon at The Carolina Inn on May 31. The event celebrates the outstanding female community leaders featured in our publications. Attendees enjoyed networking and mimosas followed by lunch and dessert catered by Crossroads Chapel Hill. Keynote speaker Ashleigh Shelby Rosette, the James L. Vincent Professor of Leadership at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, utilized her research on the intersection of leadership, gender and race to guide an enlightening discussion on how stereotypes and bias affect present-day organizations. Triangle Media Partners’ Lauren Godwin, Melissa Crane and Lucinda Poole recognized the
1 2024 honorees and sponsors.
2 Honoree Julie Bridenstine of the Chatham County Board of Education and Diego Riveros-Iregui.
3 Chapel Hill Toffee’s Karen Graves with Chatham Magazine’s Melissa Crane.
4 Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard, Business Brewing’s Jean MacDonald, Cindy Royal with Edward Jones and Intrepid Build’s Claire Coffey.
Photography by JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Photo by Shana
Debra DuBose, Leah Curran, Jayna Adams
Catalina Lyliston.
Krista Camp of Cat French Design.
pbo pride
The PBO Pride festival, held at The Plant in Pittsboro June 1 and 2, celebrated its second year with a vibrant display of inclusivity and community spirit. Founded in 2023, PBO Pride advocates for queer individuals and allies throughout the county, providing a safe space for people to express their authentic selves. This year’s festival was presented by the NC Arts Incubator, and festival-goers enjoyed a day filled with music, art and community engagement. cm
1 Debbie Englund with Clayworx facilitated painting projects.
2 Chatham County Public Health’s LouAnn Riddle, Minerva Perez and Olivia Taylor.
3 Bear Roots perform on the Rainbow Stage.
4 PBO Pride volunteers Juliete Quigley and MB Clark.
5 Second Bloom’s Rodolfo Ramirez and Susan Borgesi.
6 Sharon McConnell and Josh Rudy of the Chatham County Beekeepers Association.
7 Chatham Animal Rescue and Education’s Shelly Ryder and Yileen Liu.
8 Hempsmith’s Rob Hamlet and Arlo Estill.
Photography by MORGAN CARTIER WESTON
A WORKSPACE THAT WORKS FOR
PRIVATE OFFICES • CO-WORKING • EVENTS AND MEETING ROOMS
The 79°West Innovation Hub is a 22,000+ 8,500 square-foot workspace situated in MOSAIC, a 44-acre mixed-use community that’s part of the rapidly growing Live-WorkPlay-Learn Chatham Park community just north of historic downtown Pittsboro, NC.
At 79°West, coworking, innovation programming, and private offices converge with mentorship and community collaboration in this all-in-one hub that blends work with play, personal with professional, and passion with production.
black history bus tour
Photography by ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA
The inaugural Black History Bus Tour rolled through Pittsboro on June 15, the first event of the day during Community Organizing for Racial Equity’s Juneteenth Black Arts Festival. About two dozen passengers hopped on and off the bus at planned stops, guided by Community Remembrance Coalition Chatham and NAACP East Chatham Branch President Mary Nettles
The purpose of the bus tour was to share the untold history of the town’s Black citizens. “I just think an increased awareness of our history will lead to a stronger commitment to understanding the legacy of that history and will help us create a legitimate pathway to a more unified future,” says Jo Corro of the CRC-C.
Stops included brief lectures by Grimsley T. Hobbs, Jr. at the Lewis Freeman House, which is now the offices of Hobbs Architects; Rev. Corey D. Little at the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation mural at George Moses Horton Middle School; author Marjorie Hudson about the Freedom Path, also at the middle school; and actor and producer Mike Wiley read George Moses Horton’s poem, “On Summer.” cm
1 “Truth, Justice and Reconciliation” mural at George Moses Horton Middle School.
2 Grimsley T. Hobbs Jr.
3 Mike Wiley.
4 Cindy Edwards and Beverly Bland.
5 Rose Krasnow, Chatham County Commissioner David Delaney and Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp.
6 Corey D. Little and Mary Nettles.
a taste of chatham
by MORGAN CARTIER WESTON
Welcome Chatham hosted this inaugural community fundraiser for the Chatham County Welcome Center, which serves thousands of visitors annually, on July 21 at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center. Foodies enjoyed bites from local restaurants, including 39 West Catering, The Beagle, Cafe Root Cellar, City Tap Bar, JDub’s PoBoys, Kingston 99 Kitchen, Postal Fish Company, Allen & Son BBQ, The Sycamore at Chatham Mills and West End Kitchen. Beverage vendors BMC Brewing, FireClay Cellars, Starrlight Mead and Thirsty Skull Brewing served up popular brews and fermented faves, and attendees enjoyed sweet treats from Circle City Ice Cream and live music by The Radio cm
1 The Radio rocked the Chatham Agriculture and Conference Center stage.
2 Carolina Cravings owners Yeraldyn Martinez and Iliana Escalante Palacios.
3 Greg Lewis and Danielle Conner with 39 West Catering and The Sycamore at Chatham Mills.
Photography
4 Bill Hartley and Brittani Love with JDubs Po’Boys and Postal Fish Company.
Holly Housman and Beth Handel.
Cafe Root Cellar’s Sera Cuni and Larkin Willis.
chatham chamber of commerce’s 2024 women of achievement celebration
Photography by MORGAN CARTIER WESTON
The Chatham Chamber of Commerce hosted a social networking event at Starrlight Mead on June 18 to honor local women leaders. Honorees Kendall Anderson, Dr. Karen Barbee, Mary Kate Bedell, Julie Bridenstine, Christine Harrelson, Catherine Hobbs, Gloria Rodriguez, Del Turner and Jane Allen Wilson were all featured as Women of Achievement in this year’s April/May issue of Chatham Magazine
1
2 Shannon Anderson and honoree Kendall Anderson.
3 Chatham Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tyler Bryant and Jane Allen Wilson with the Chatham County Board of Education.
Kathy Simmers with the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and The Quiltmaker Cafe’s Jennie Knowlton.
4 Christine Wenrich, Danielle Jennings, KP Parsons and Claire Coffey.
5 Sharon Dickens of Edward Jones and Chatham Magazine’s Lucinda Poole. cm
noted.
On the Move
United Way of Chatham County welcomed Daisy Butzer as its impact manager in May. Daisy serves as the facilitator of the Chatham Housing Collective, a United Way program that was formed in 2021 and serves residents in need of housing support thanks to the help of more than 70 human service providers and volunteers.
Floral Expressions of Chapel Hill announced July 27 that owner Ginger Roper has retired and turned the business over to her daughter and partner, Alicia Springfield. Alicia’s leadership ushers in a new era of increased classes, art shows and community events at Floral Expressions.
Hunt Recycling cut the ribbon on its new Moncure location June 8 during a celebration with the Chatham Chamber of Commerce The event was held in conjunction with Hunt Recycling’s monthly plant swap, and
attendees enjoyed a bounce house, a food truck and hayride-style tours of the operations facility.
Siler City Wash Inc. purchased a car wash for $3.4 million, transforming Rocket Wash Siler City Inc. into Tiki Express Car Wash. The new business, located on a 0.8-acre outparcel of the Siler City Walmart Supercenter, is the second Tiki Express – the original location continues to run in New Bern, North Carolina.
Read All About It
W. A. Polf celebrated the publication of his short story collection, “Not the Same River,” with Atmosphere Press. Ordinary characters across all 15 stories face extraordinary circumstances and must reflect on the power of choice to influence their changing futures.
Chatham Community Library Coordinator
Amanda Girelli and Wren Memorial Library
what we've heard around our towns
Amanda and Tabatha hope that these centers, such as the one created at The Hispanic Liaison, will improve reading accessibility and by adding convenience for local families.
Branch Manager Tabatha Weaver installed four youth literacy centers in Siler City through a grant from the State Library of North Carolina. Each library was stocked with a fresh supply of books in English and Spanish for youth of all ages.
Thirty-five readers toured Chatham County on May 16, exploring various sites that inspired Marjorie Hudson’s newest novel, “Indigo Field,” a haunting tale of grief, revenge and reckoning in the rural South.
Clyde Jeanette Shore celebrates the release of her second book, “Chicken Bridge Road,” with a signing party and Q&A at McIntyre’s Books on Sept. 14. The novel is a work of historical fiction based on the true story of Jeanette’s mother, a woman whose survival in the face of domestic abuse changed the history of women’s rights in the rural south.
In Other News
Full Stack Plumbing Company Inc. hosted a food drive with CORA, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity in Chatham County, June 17-28 to continue the work toward a shared goal of building a community without hunger.
Collegiate agricultural partnership N.C. Cooperative Extension hired Chatham Charter School graduate Dalton Suits as its new livestock extension agent for the Chatham County Center in June. Dalton will utilize his bachelor’s degree in animal science to lead programming duties in livestock, equine, field crop and forages work, plus serve as the county pesticide coordinator and provide consultations for area residents and producers.
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners approved the county budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, which prioritizes education and public safety, and
Compiled by IZABELLA COUNTS
PHOTO BY CHERYL LITTLETON
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARJORIE HUDSON
News Bites
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice will soon bring its array of frozen treats to Northwood Landing in Pittsboro
The dessert spot will offer bold flavors of Italian ice, gelati and soft serve ice cream within a vibrant and friendly atmosphere.
Mobile dessert and espresso bar Munchilove will soon open its first storefront in Governors Village. The new location boasts a full-service coffee shop and bakery, featuring its innovative brownie design – an all-edge circle with a center pocket – and various fillings, such as rich German chocolate or zesty lemon curd.
Southern lifestyle brand Cackalacky was selected as a supplier for the June 2024 U.S. Open Golf Championship, contributing its signature sauces and snack nuts, like the Cackalacky Cheerwine Sweet Sauce and Beer B-Q Seasoned Peanuts, to the festivities.
for lunch Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The
increases the property tax by 4 cents, on June 17. “Increasing taxes is not something the Board takes lightly,” says Board Chair Mike Dasher. “But after much thought and discussion, we concluded that our ability to sustain and grow our talented workforce, especially in our schools, will be essential to meet the needs of our growing community.”
Dan LaMontagne announced his retirement after five years of community development as county manager and 14 years of exceptional service to Chatham County. Dan has worked as solid waste director, director of public works and utilities, and both assistant and interim county manager during his career in the county government. His retirement begins Dec. 27.
In Our Schools
Chatham County Schools became one of seven North Carolina public school systems to receive a Digital Learning Impact Grant in June under the state’s Digital Learning Initiative. Educators will use the $265,000 award to incorporate innovative AI-integrated teaching and learning over the next three years, ensuring students are prepared for high-demand careers.
Sarah Estes was named Siler City Elementary’s new principal July 1, following the retirement of Tania Poston. Sarah received her master’s in school administration from UNC in 2011 and has spent the past 13 years gaining experience in school administration in Chatham County. “As a member of the Siler City community, I’m honored to be able to continue to serve our students as the new principal of Siler City Elementary,” Sarah said in a press release.
Jared Worley joined Seaforth High School as its athletic director on June 15. Jared is a Northwood High School graduate who earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science from UNC. “I’m excited to be a part of this growing community here at Seaforth,” Jared says.
Bradford Walston was appointed the new director of school safety, security and operations for Chatham County Schools in July. Bradford holds a doctorate of education from UNC and served as the principal of Northwood High School for six years prior to starting this role.
Haw River Christian Academy welcomed Tracy Carbone as the school’s new principal for the 2024-2025 school year. Tracy brings years of educational experience to the role, having taught in public schools, Christian schools and colleges. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Buffalo State University and hopes to continue supporting each student as they grow at HRCA.
for the past 12 years. She has nearly 25 years of experience in K-12 education and six years of experience teaching university science courses, and is currently working toward her master’s degree in educational leadership.
Amy Dibb was named HRCA’s new marketing and event coordinator for the 2024-2025 school year. Amy accepted this role following seven years of work for HRCA, including many contributions to its newsletter, “The Bridge.” Amy will use her creative talents to support school events, promote HRCA media relationships and communicate with students and families.
The Chatham County Schools Board of Education announced in June that homeschooled students can now participate in school athletics if they are enrolled in at least two classes within Chatham County Schools, such as online classes with the Chatham County Schools Virtual Academy.
Also at HRCA, Heather Baker was promoted to head of school after serving HRCA in a variety of roles
The triumphant win of the Seaforth Hawks at the 2A NCHSAA Women’s Soccer Championship also commemorated Jason Amy’s final days as athletic director of Seaforth High School. This is one of many state titles that students have won since the school’s opening in 2021, when Jason began building the school’s athletic program from the ground up. Jason’s effort and character won him the 2020-21 NCHSAA Athletic Director of the Year award, and he will continue to positively impact students as a physical education teacher at Seaforth this year.
Central Carolina Community College teachers Maryann Aucompaugh and Crystal Way graduated from the inaugural class of the North Carolina Community College Master Instructor
Pittsboro restaurant Cafe Root Cellar is now open
menu, featuring the creations of chef Sera Cuni, changes weekly.
PHOTO BY PAGE SKELTON
WHERE WILL YOUR FEET TAKE YOU?
Just west of Raleigh, and close to everything that matters, you’ll find a neighborhood built on connectivity. Woven with nature and neighbors. Where backyard barbecues, outdoor concerts and trail walks are as commonplace as shorter commutes and quick mountain getaways. If you’re ready to re-envision community as an experience instead of a place, Chatham Park is waiting.
Certification Program this summer. Maryann, pictured above right, is a specialist in business technologies, and Crystal, pictured below right, is a nursing instructor. Each strengthened their aptitude for professional development, student learning and collaborative leadership through handson activities and modulebased trainings.
John V. Wood stepped down from his role as public information officer for Chatham County Schools to become the new assistant principal of Gravelly Middle School in Efland in August.
The Chatham County Schools Board of Education selected former Northwood High School assistant principal Wynne Youngblood to take over as the school’s new principal
in July. “It is with great honor and excitement that I step into this new role, and continue the work of teaching and learning alongside our exceptional staff, talented students and supportive school community,” Wynne says.
Manda Bass accepted the role of assistant principal of Northwood High School in July, bringing 20 years of teaching experience in Chatham County to the position. Manda earned a master’s in math education from UNC, and she recently completed her administrative internship at Northwood.
Sasha Scott joined the Chatham Middle School team as its new assistant principal in July after more than a decade as an exceptional children teacher in the Durham and Alamance-Burlington public school
systems. “I look forward to working together to create an environment where every student can thrive and succeed,” Sasha says.
Megan Tillett was named Chatham Grove Elementary School’s assistant principal, starting with the 2024-2025 school year. Megan has almost two decades of educational experience and previously held the
position of assistant principal for Orange County Schools.
What an Honor Staff, partners and supporters showed their appreciation for Chatham Education Foundation at its end-of-year celebration breakfast at Chatham Mills on May 22. Two high school seniors spoke about the benefits of AVID, Chatham County Schools’ college and career readiness program, and Chatham County Schools Superintendent Anthony D. Jackson also spoke about the past year.
Katelyn Walker earned the prestigious Girl Scouts Gold Award in March after designing and building a new play kitchen for CORA’s food pantry. The design includes a food group sorting game, children’s books dedicated to food and cooking, and a QR code that provides users with instructions for obtaining a Chatham County Public Libraries card.
PHOTO BY ROBERT WALKER
Tyler G. Bryant President & CEO
October: State of Chatham
The State of the Chatham event allows members, business leaders, and the public to hear directly from officials about regional trends and progress.
November: A Chatham Thanksgiving
This NEW event provides a platform for business and community leaders to gather, dine, and engage in conversation while showcasing the best in Chatham County's local cuisine.
December: Siler City Christmas Parade
Held annually in Siler City on the first Thursday evening in December, this event brings our community together and leaves patrons filled with holiday joy.
more information? Want to sponsor?
Ten women received $1,000 each in scholarships from the Professional Women of Chatham and Orange Counties for the continued development of their leadership potential. The money can be used for training courses, workshops or any necessary equipment that advances their education and economic empowerment.
Chatham Education Foundation’s Books on Break program hosted free book fairs at eight elementary and middle schools in 2024 (two more locations than last year), seven of which were in lowincome communities. In total, 2,700 students took home more than $14,000 worth of books, funded by numerous donations and grants from organizations like the Women of Fearrington, Central Electric Member Care Trust and Bold Companies.
Members of the Chatham Park development team, elected officials and the Chatham
Chamber of Commerce gathered for a ribbon-cutting celebration at Medley at Northwood Landing apartments Aug. 7.
One-, two- and threebedroom units are available, and community amenities include a swimming pool, fire pit lounge, fitness center and an indoor golf simulator.
Pittsboro’s first annual Race Amity Day Celebration on June 9 earned praise from President Joe Biden for its efforts to promote racial harmony and equity through music and programming. The president gifted his letter of recognition to Partners in Racial Justice, the organization behind the festival, which featured electrifying performances from Sankofa African Drum and Dance
Company, CongoleseAmerican singer Deja Belle and a mass interracial choir formed from seven area churches.
Beverly Allen, pictured left, received the 2023-24 Chatham County Board of Health Employee of the Year Award from Karen Davis, chair of the county’s health board. Vaya Health was also granted the Community Partnership of the Year award at the board’s June 20 meeting. During Beverly’s 16 years with the Chatham County Public Health Department, she worked to diligently manage, monitor and report infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and rabies. Vaya Health, meanwhile earns its award for its commitment to connecting people across
the state and within Chatham County who have needs related to mental health, substance abuse, intellectual/developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries with important services.
Chatham Reads, a partnership led by the Chatham Education Foundation and Chatham County Schools, awarded Pittsboro’s McIntyre’s Books with CEF’s Inaugural Champion Award at its celebration in May. McIntyre’s Books has partnered with Chatham Reads for years, helping the group by collecting book donations, hosting book drives and maintaining instore and online wishlists. The award honors the bookstore’s enthusiastic collaboration efforts as well as its future projects and continued support. cm
PHOTO BY FRANK HUISKING
PHOTO BY JAFAR FALLAHI
PHOTO BY KYLE CHAMBERS
who's who in town
& county government
Neha M. Shah Director, Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau
By LAUREN ROUSE
Neha M. Shah has always known a life of adventure. She was born in India, grew up in South Florida and loves to travel. In her role as the director of the PittsboroSiler City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Neha gets to help those visiting where she works and plays. Neha is fascinated by every aspect of tourism, from logistics and hospitality to storytelling. She considers Chatham a dream destination with variety she’s never seen anywhere else.
Photo by JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Tell me a bit about your background. What led you to become the Director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau?
I attended the University of Florida and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a Master of Science in tourism, with a thesis on the occupancy tax. I have worked at the PittsboroSiler City CVB since 1999.
Previously, I worked at the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau [now Discover Durham] and then this opportunity in Chatham County became available. I decided to stay until the work began to feel routine, but after 24 years that hasn’t happened yet.
How has your role evolved since you started at the CVB?
Prior to the pandemic, we saw every aspect of the CVB’s work grow, and as we are responsible for tourism, film and sports development, we’ve seen many visitor
businesses find Chatham County ideal for their vision. We love to work with them and learn about their businesses so we can fold each of those facets into our overall destination marketing, so that has never changed.
We’ve always had a location that is ideal for guests traveling within North Carolina or from elsewhere. During the pandemic, our [outdoor offerings] provided day trip respites that had always been popular but [became more] so. We’ve worked even more closely with our state and local partners as economic development continues to thrive in our area and all the growth and development intersects our overall strategic marketing plan. Corporate
clients, executives, retirees, guests researching a second home, small-business owners, digital nomads and a number of new and returning guests have been increasingly working with us.
What are some of the must-see attractions in Chatham County that you recommend to visitors?
Many visitor businesses find Chatham County ideal for their vision.
Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, the North Carolina Birding Trail, Carolina Tiger Rescue, Deep River Park and Camelback Bridge, Bynum Bridge and Front Porch and Fearrington Village are some of the highlights. Chatham County provides a distinctive experience the first time and on each return trip, whether
Pictured: Tony Cash, Cindy Cochie, Katie Walker, Courtney Lowe, Teresa Farrell, and Sondra Cooper.
day or overnight. The new Hampton Inn & Suites in Pittsboro will undoubtedly serve both leisure and business guests in the region and fulfill a long and growing need for traditional accommodations and meeting spaces.
Which annual events or festivals in Chatham draw significant tourist interest?
Chatham County offers many festivals. We’ve grown to have hundreds of events of varying sizes on our events calendar each year.
Major festivals include the Southern Supreme Holiday Open House, Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance, the Spring Chicken Festival, Goldston Old Fashion Day, Old-Fashioned Farmers’ Days, Pittsboro Street Fair and several more.
Can you share examples of successful collaborations or partnerships with local businesses and organizations to boost tourism in Chatham?
We’ve worked with our local visitor businesses on the Heart of North Carolina Wine Trail, initially with a few of our accommodations
and wineries. We’ve rebranded that to Craft Beverages and Country Inns Trails. It has always been about working with our local visitor business partners and celebrating their products and services. We’ve always heralded them to our state partners and our national and international media, so we have some fantastic partnerships that have led to events, promotion, and media coverage for tourism, film and sports.
Are there any lesser-known spots in Chatham that you think should be on visitors’ itineraries?
Historic downtown Siler City, FireClay Cellars, JR Moore & Son and several other general stores.
What is your long-term vision for the tourism landscape in Chatham, and how do you plan to achieve it?
We’ll always try to do more, have a seat at the table whenever an opportunity arises so that we can share the voice of our visitors. It will always go back to communication
and our varied tools to reach our guests and partner with statewide tourism officials as we strive to put Chatham County on the map. We want our guests to see what we see –a destination that’s worth the trip, time and again.
How do you engage with the local community to ensure their voices are heard in tourism planning and development?
We meet with our local businesses every way we can. We also hear from our guests, and we try to be the bridge so that the supply and demand match as much as possible to benefit a business owner’s revenue and a traveler’s experience.
We work with Chatham Economic Development Corporation, Central Carolina Community College, county departments, local and regional chambers of commerce and small-business organizations and others. We want to exchange information that helps residents, new business owners, existing industries and future guests.
Being new to the area, my husband and I were fortunate to be referred to Chan Wright Insurance Agency and couldn't be happier. Chan took the time to assess our needs, and offered plans to insure home, auto, and life. We never felt pressured and felt that we made a new friend versus a sales agent. We highly recommend Chan Wright Insurance Agency.
- MARIE M.
We are so honored to be recognized as a Best of Chapel Hill insurance agency. Thank you to our clients who have made this possible for us!
What feedback have you received from visitors, and how has this influenced your approach to tourism development?
Offerings here are abundant and diverse, and our guests contact us beforehand for our assistance in planning and information. They use our website, blog, newsletter, events calendar and social media to plan. Potential guests use social media with a fear-ofmissing-out approach and will contact us to say they are seeing a place or an experience, and they look forward to visiting soon. Our guests who’ve visited will often tell us they can’t
wait to return, and they’ll bring other guests. Independentlyowned businesses and event coordinators are all part of the reason for an enjoyable visit, from chefs to farmers to winemakers to musicians.
How has tourism impacted the economy of Siler City in recent years?
We don’t have data specific to towns in Chatham County, but anecdotally, Siler City offers a great deal for visitors. Our guests love to visit spots like the Inn at Celebrity Dairy, Thirsty Skull Brewing, The Farmers Alliance Store and FireClay Cellars.
Your continued trust fuels our commitment to excellence in family law, DWI/DUI/BUI, wills and trusts, guardianships, and estates. We’re honored to serve you and to protect what matters most.
Could you provide some key tourism statistics for Chatham?
Chatham County’s visitor economic impact county spending recently increased by 11.3% and is predicted to increase again in this year. The travel and tourism industry employs more than 624 people in Chatham County, and the total payroll generated by the tourism industry in 2022 was $23 million. About $2.8 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses.
What else should folks know?
It’s an exciting time in Chatham County as we continue to grow, add new businesses and expand our visitor services. We look forward to welcoming Cycle NC 2024, America 250 and several new features on our website, blog, newsletter and social media. cm
issue Best of
Our seventh annual Best of Chatham poll unveils your favorites across nearly 80 categories
Photography by JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Chatham
Palate Global
By OLIVIA PAUL
Big Mikes BBQ
Big Mikes BBQ serves up southern soul food with a local twist in a laidback atmosphere where everyone feels at home. Pair a classic barbecue sandwich with their most popular side dish: smoked potato salad. Robin Stanley, who handles catering and events for the business, says the dish isn’t your typical grandmother’s potato salad. “It’s so flavorful,” she says. The potatoes are cut, fried, cooled down and re-fried to order. Next, they are mixed with Big Mikes 50/50 sauce – a blend of mayo and sour cream – and topped with freshly shredded cheese and pork rub.
“Our pork rub is out of this world and is a really great blend of spices with a perfect balance of sweet and savory,” Robin says. But what really sets the potato salad apart is the oil. “We strain some of the rendering from our smokers and add it into the fryer with the regular oil, and it adds an extra smokey flavor to the potatoes – it takes it to another level.”
The potatoes are cut, fried, cooled down and re-fried to order. Next, they are mixed with Big Mikes 50/50 sauce – a blend of mayo and sour cream – and topped with freshly shredded cheese and pork rub.
Szechuan Village
Astaple of authentic Chinese cuisine, and a must-order item for any visit to Szechuan Village, is the General Tso’s chicken. Tender white meat is fried to perfection and paired with a mouthwatering sweet and slightly tangy sauce. Beyond General Tso’s, Szechuan Village boasts a diverse menu brimming with dishes that promise a unique culinary adventure and a true taste of Chinese culture.
“Our specialty is authentic traditional Szechuan cuisine, with a unique understanding and use of spices,” says owner Jocelyn Yu. “One of the key spices is chili, and through different applications of chili, we create sweet and spicy, fragrant and spicy and numbing and spicy flavors. This exciting and challenging taste experience often leaves people wanting more.”
Aye! Toro
ndulge in the “Toro Tacos” at Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila – a crowd-pleasing dish you won’t want to miss. Flour tortillas are toasted with cheese before being loaded with mouthwatering carnitas, spicy chorizo and fresh, creamy guacamole. Want to amp up the flavor? Pile on the onions, cilantro and jalapeños.
Co-owner Pedro Llamas recommends pairing this ensemble of authentic flavors with a one-of-a-kind margarita. Each is prepared with freshly squeezed orange juice and homemade sour mix. Flavors include lime, mango, peach, strawberry and blackberry, or choose a spicy margarita with either jalapeño or chile de arbol. In addition to a wide array of delectables, you’re sure to be greeted with enthusiastic hospitality. “We always welcome any client, new or reoccuring, with open arms and give them the highest standard of service,” says Pedro. “We will make them feel like family, and we always look forward to serving everyone!”
Kingston 99 Kitchen
arm your heart with the taste of the Caribbean at Kingston 99 Kitchen. The signature Jamaican oxtail is braised in herbs and spices and served with rice and beans or plain white rice. The savory dish is warm and cozy, with a hint of Scotch bonnet pepper, plus ginger, thyme and garlic. You can’t go wrong with any dish; ask for a Jamaican soda, such as the ginger beer or pineapple soda, to pair with your meal. “It’s our intention to provide service the Jamaican way: friendly, warm and remembering our customers by name,” says owner Jason Rhoden Guests can expect authentic Jamaican cuisine with every visit. “The preparation of the oxtail is a labor of love,” Jason says. “It is also reminiscent of our African onepot-wonder cooking traditions.” Check out the restaurant’s location at The Plant, where you can find a variety of food and beverage spots to pair with your meal or catch a live music performance.
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
Anostalgic menu with a welcoming environment to match is what S&T’s Soda Shoppe is known for. “I’ve had people tell me that one of the reasons they came to Pittsboro to look around, and that they like to come into the shop, is because it seems like a nice community,” says owner Vicky Oldham. “Everybody is friendly, and it feels like the type of place that they want to live.”
The restaurant is jam-packed with antique lighting, games, soda fountains and apothecary jars – a nod to the building’s past life as a pharmacy. Settle into a cozy booth and take in the decor while you savor every bite of Steve’s Gambler, a fan favorite, which includes grilled steak served on a hot skillet with seasoned steak fries, grilled onions and garlic bread. You can also enjoy hand scooped ice cream cones and floats at the old-fashioned soda counter or take your dessert to go and take a sweet stroll down Hillsboro Street.
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Tarantini
Dive into the veal saltimbocca at Tarantini for a taste of Italy’s rich culinary heritage. The name of the dish translates to “jumps in the mouth,” which reflects the burst of flavor in each bite.
The veal is delicately pan seared to ensure a juicy and tender texture and topped with prosciutto and fresh melty mozzarella. It’s served over herb-infused sauteed artichokes and a layer of spinach, and finished with potato croquettes.
Sisters Elaine and Ellie Lopes have worked over the past 15 years to create a familial atmosphere at Tarantini that reflects their passion for Italian food. “As time passed we got to know [our customers] and their families and friends during dinners or events where they celebrate important occasions,” Elaine says. “We want every new customer to feel part of our family.”
sauce Awesome
A
Polynesian family
serves up Hawaiian-style barbecue in Pittsboro
By ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA
aylene Lauano was born and raised in American Samoa, a U.S. territory that is an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and Hawaii. Cooking Polynesian food helps her maintain strong cultural and familial connections to Hawaii, where her parents met. Kaylene left island life to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage with plans to become a social worker, but the demands of a growing family quickly outpaced her educational goals.
Kaylene and her husband, Faasolo “Solo” Lauano, who is also from American Samoa, share three daughters and two sons: Nidaiya Lauano, 17, Nivan Lauano, 15, Nilayliann Lauano, 14, Nirytus Lauano, 11, and Niblessa Lauano, 8, all of whom attend Chatham County Schools.
The couple’s culinary journey began in Alaska, where harsh conditions can be tough on both people and machinery.
The Lauanos would often see an abandoned food truck parked in an Ace Hardware store lot. “It would be so cool if we [could] sell Polynesian barbecue,” Kaylene remembers thinking. Dreaming of a food-based business, the couple tracked down the truck owner and signed a lease agreement. “We started to sell brisket because there was a big smoker outside,” Kaylene says.
While their business prospered during the warmer months, winter conditions discouraged customers from standing in line outside. Kaylene and Solo realized that it was time to reconsider their strategy.
“I was coming up with ideas out of nowhere,” Kaylene says. “I’m just this island girl trying to figure out life in America. People [would] always say, ‘I love the sauce.’ So, I did my research and due diligence.”
Kaylene began looking for a co-packing company that could help produce and bottle her three sauce recipes – Original BBQ, Sweet n’ Spicy and Kaylene’s Polynesian Sauce. She reached out to many different companies and found a good match in North Carolina. “They were nice people over the phone,” Kaylene says. With prayer and reflection, the Lauano family decided to move after 16 years in Anchorage, leaving behind their entire network of extended family and friends to be closer to the production facility.
Bottling for Ni Armor’s Premium Gourmet Sauces began in March 2017. Kaylene vividly remembers the reactions from family and friends: “Why do you have to go?” She says she and her family miss large gatherings with their cousins and close friends, especially around the holidays. “It was a big change, a huge change,” she says. “And it was scary. We had never been to the South.” Despite the challenges, they have adapted and supported one another.
North Carolina has a barbecue scene full of regional options, but Kaylene and Solo believe Ni Armor’s sauces offer a unique flavor experience compared to the local vinegar-based styles. “When we came here and tried to sell it, we were at events, and it took a while,” Kaylene says of their sauce catching on. “This person next to me is selling sauce. The other people over there are selling barbecue sauce, too.”
I was coming up with ideas out of nowhere. I’m just this island girl trying to figure out life in America.
– Kaylene Lauano
and
left American Samoa for Alaska to pursue work and a college education with a plan to return to their home island. Instead, they spent 16 years in the far north and began a culinary journey that brought them to North Carolina, where they are raising their five children, growing their brand of Polynesian sauces and running a restaurant.
Faasolo “Solo” Lauano
Kaylene Lauano
In 2022, they opened a 900-squarefoot stall in Burlington Food Hall and Commissary Kitchen. It enabled the couple to showcase their sauces in action.
In February, the couple opened Ni Armor’s Hawaiian and Polynesian BBQ in Pittsboro
By summer, Ni Armor’s had been voted among the best new businesses by Chatham Magazine readers. “What we’re doing right now is what we love,” Kaylene says.
So far, the most popular dish on the menu is Solo’s barbecue sampler plate, which
features beef short ribs, kālua-style pork, chicken, rice and macaroni pasta salad. Kālua is a traditional method of slow cooking using a pit or earthen oven. Another popular dish is Kaylene’s Polynesian Sauce meatball combo with barbecue chicken. And, for those who crave a taste of Hawaii, the Spam musubi (a slice of Spam with rice and nori) is a musttry dish. Due to limited outdoor seating, Ni Armor relies on its robust takeout orders and has a pickup window.
This summer, Kaylene and Solo received an invitation to pitch their brand and products to the corporate leaders of Walmart, hoping for an opportunity to scale up their business. Additionally, they launched a GoFundMe campaign in July to help raise money toward establishing a second location in Burlington with enough space to host luaus.
“We are focused on getting the products and the brand out; that was our goal in moving here,” Kaylene says. “We’re looking to the future.”
Solo lays out chicken thighs that have marinated in one of Ni Armor’s three sauces – Original BBQ, Sweet N’ Spicy or Kaylene’s Polynesian Sauce.
Call Wake-Up
Start your day with one of our readers’ favorite bakeries, coffee shops and brunch spots
By OLIVIA PAUL
by JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Cafe Root Cellar
Rise and shine with elevated seasonal cuisine at Cafe Root Cellar on Suttles Road. The house-made pop tarts and cinnamon rolls have been exciting Sunday brunch-goers since 2018, and the classic breakfast biscuit, piled high with bacon, egg and cheese, is the ultimate comfort dish. Or, try the McCellar, a spin on a fast-food classic made with a sourdough English muffin, American cheese, Taylor pork roll and a fried egg. Co-owner Susan White recommends the breakfast burrito, inspired by chef Sera Cuni’s love for Mexican cuisine. The recipe brings a hit of Tex-Mex spice with chorizo sausage, plus black beans, fluffy scrambled eggs, cheesy potato hash browns and avocado in a grilled flour tortilla. “Personally, it’s the one dish we crave week after week,” Susan says.
The architecture inside the restaurant reflects a modern yet cozy feel – a perfect backdrop for Sera’s recipes, which combine her Italian roots with her love for Southern cuisine – and a relaxing environment to try something new any time of day.
Cafe Root Cellar is open for dinner service Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and as of Aug. 21, is open for lunch Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, too! The menu changes weekly, but some recent dinner dishes include vegetable potsticker salad with peanut dressing and crispy fried oyster mushroom tacos. “We love that these kinds of bold and creative dishes entice guests to step outside their culinary comfort zone,” Susan says.
Photography
Breakaway Cafe
Spend your morning with the entire family at Breakaway Cafe. The restaurant is located off of Chapel Hill Road and has been offering a homey ambiance with a modern interior since November 2016. The cafe is a perfect child-oriented spot with couches for kids to lounge on as they finish their meal. The kids’ breakfast, featuring chocolate chip pancakes, eggs and fruit, is popular among the little ones, along with the French toast and baked goods.
The neighborhood cafe is also an amiable place for work meetings, celebrations, casual outings and more. “We are definitely a community environment,” says co-owner Amy Coughlin. “We see a lot of regulars and a lot of people call [the cafe] their third home.”
Breakaway partners with Durhambased Counter Culture Coffee and offers a variety of staple drinks made with house syrups, including the lavender latte and maple latte. This season, try a seasonal specialty drink, like the classic pumpkin latte.
The West End Kitchen
Enjoy a cozy brunch with friends at The West End Kitchen, located on Rectory Street. The restaurant originally opened in November 2023, and since then, chef Chad Hardin has worked tirelessly to craft a mind-blowing menu alongside owner Kristi Russell. A dish that’s proven to be buzzworthy is the signature Chatham eggs, which features pimento cheese grits topped with crumbled Firsthand Foods sausage, a light and bright spiced housemade tomato compote, shaved Parmesan cheese and a sunny-side up Latta’s egg. “This dish is a great choice because, like most of our menu items, it is a modern play on comfort food that you just can’t find anywhere else in Chatham County,” Kristi says.
The menu is overflowing with a variety of inventive dishes that put creative twists on modern farm fare and elevated comfort food. You’ll also find a curated craft cocktail list featuring hand-squeezed juices and intriguing names that will leave you eager to try them all. The restaurant offers a cozy seating area with oversized dining chairs, rustic barn wood paneling and a sofa nook – perfect for conversations over appetizers and cocktails. Or, savor wine by the glass or bottle and explore an extensive craft beer menu designed to pair perfectly with your meal. “We’re deeply motivated in fostering a strong sense of community, and it shows in how excited folks are to dine here,” Kristi says. “[People] are here not only for exceptional food and service but because of how happy they are to have a new addition to Pittsboro that offers a dining experience that feels like home.”
The Phoenix Bakery
outh-watering breakfast bites and baked goods line the pastry cases at The Phoenix Bakery on West Street in Pittsboro. The bakery has been preparing biscuits, cinnamon rolls and doughnuts from scratch for the past 11 years and is still iterating on their recipes; one of their newest home run hits is the cream cheese Danish roll. Sweet dough is buttered, sprinkled with brown sugar and rolled up with cream cheese filling. Each roll is then sliced, raised and baked to the perfect shade of gold, then smeared with homemade cream cheese icing.
The Boston cream doughnut is also a customer favorite. “We often joke about a riot if we stopped making them,” owner Jodi Hackney says. The cream filling is whipped to a puddinglike consistency and stuffed inside a pocket of fresh baked dough, then topped with homemade semi-sweet chocolate ganache. The bakery also offers a communal and vibrant dining area where Jodi says you will never feel like you are among strangers, even if you come alone. “It’s really easy to disconnect with food and folks nowadays but, with our bakery, people can choose healthier, wholesome sweets, breads and made-to-order meals that have been prepared by a local community and culture of people who care about what they do,” Jodi says.
Small Cafe B&B
he lemon ricotta hotcakes at Small Cafe B&B are a hot ticket item. Lisa Verwoerdt, who’s owned the cafe since July 2021, recommends pairing them with a side of crispy applewood smoked bacon. The hotcakes are whipped up with flour, sugar, buttermilk, freshly juiced lemons, ricotta cheese and lemon zest for an extra citrusy flavor, then cooked on the stovetop before finishing in the oven. The cafe provides an eclectic, colorful setting and guests enjoy sitting in the outdoor garden seating area. “It has a relaxing, funky vibe where people feel like it’s their own backyard,” Lisa says. It’s also a quiet place to enjoy the company of others and chat with family and friends, while still being within walking distance of downtown Pittsboro. “I do notice that when it rains, people love to go inside and share tables,” Lisa explains. “It’s very communal and everybody is kind and accepting.”
Extend your visit to Small Cafe B&B by staying the night in one of the three available rentals on the property. The Woodshed features a queen-size bed, private bathroom and a deck overlooking the gardens. The Treehouse has a full-size bed, private bathroom and amenities such as a mini fridge, a coffee maker, Wi-Fi and a smart TV. The Guest Cottage is also perfect for families and extended stays with a king-size bed, queen-size Murphy bed in the common area, a kitchenette and more. Even better? Breakfast is included in your stay when the cafe is open.
PHOTO BY BETH MANN
shake
Hops & Berry Taproom at Mosaic at Chatham Park offers more than 80 rotating pay-by-the-ounce taps and an outstanding cocktail menu. There’s always something fresh to savor at this readers’ favorite place for both beers and cocktails, which offers plentiful seating indoors and out, and regular events like music bingo and live music. Head bartender Anjelica Nouman gave us the inside scoop on some of the most popular drinks on the menu – and how to create them at home.
Lavender Haze
Martini
1.5 oz. Empress Indigo gin
0.5 oz. elderflower liqueur
0.5 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Dash of lavender bitters
Dash of edible glitter
Soda water
Add gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, bitters and glitter to a cocktail shaker. Stir, and then pour over a coupe glass filled with ice. Top with soda water.
The freshness of the lemon juice alongside the floral lavender keeps you coming back for more! The Empress gin gives the drink its purple color.
By LEAH BERRY
It Up
Chocolate Espresso
Martini
1 oz. fresh espresso
1 oz. vanilla vodka
0.5 oz. Irish cream liqueur
0.5 oz. chocolate liqueur
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Double shake, then strain into a coupe glass to serve.
This drink is rich and creamy with a distinctive frothy top decorated with shaved chocolate and espresso beans. It’s our bartenders’ favorite to drink!
Bloody Mary
1.5 oz. Fair Game Beverage Co. Flying Pepper Vodka
A mix of ground pepper for the perfect zang!
Bloody mary mix of your choice
Shake ingredients lightly, and serve with a lemonpepper rim. Add celery, bacon, pickled okra, olives, pickles and crushed peppercorn, if desired, for garnish.
The bloody mary is perfect for a Sunday morning brunch at Hops & Berry!
Perfect
Pairing
Chatham
goodness Homegrown
Discover two family-run farms behind some of our readers’ favorite
local products
Rocky River Hemp
n 2018, Chapel Hill native Samuel Brownfield, his wife Katie Brownfield and their son Miles Brownfield decided it was time for a change. The family left Los Angeles, where Samuel had worked as a cinematographer, and made the cross-country trek back to North Carolina to start their very own hemp farm. The only hitch? “We had no idea what we were doing,” Samuel laughs. “It was totally insane.”
The family landed on a property they now share with Samuel’s father, Rick Brownfield, located between Pittsboro and Sanford. While neither father nor son had an agricultural background, the pair began laying the foundation of a farm. Little by little, they deepened their knowledge of hemp, learning about proper drainage, soil nutrients, propagation and more. “We really just had to put one foot in front of the other,” Samuel recalls. That first year, they harvested 144 plants. Today, that number has grown to several thousand.
As his confidence grew, so did Samuel’s curiosity. He began experimenting with extraction techniques in his kitchen. After lots of trial and error, Rocky River Hemp’s first two
By SINCLAIR HOLIAN
products emerged: “CBD MCT Oil Infusion” and “Relief Salve.” The reviews poured in, glowing with praise, and those early experiments became a full line of handmade CBD products.
Today, Rocky River Hemp offers gummies, oils, salves and more. They even cater to fourlegged friends with products like the “Bacon Boost,” a favorite of Samuel’s 14-year-old German shepherd. The goal behind every item is simple: improving the quality of life for customers. Many are individuals managing chronic pain, insomnia or anxiety and Rocky River Hemp has been a lifeline for relief.
Reducing the lingering stigma around hemp is another key element of Samuel’s mission. “It doesn’t have to be a counterculture, weird outlaw thing,” he explains. “Hemp helps everyone; it’s just another tool in the wellness toolbox for people who need it.”
Samuel is also focused on making a difference for the land where the hemp is grown. In 2020, the farm went completely
organic as part of an effort to be responsible environmental stewards. “We’re named Rocky River Hemp because there’s a little stream that runs under our field that goes to the Rocky River,” he says. “We have a responsibility for what we put on the ground, because that ultimately cycles through.”
We had no idea what we were doing. It was totally insane.
– Samuel Brownfield
Looking ahead, a new side of the business is growing: Rocky River Hemp recently partnered with Chapel Hill’s Boro Beverage Company to develop “Kühlt,” a cannabis-infused kombucha. The beverage has quickly gained popularity, appearing in bars across Chapel Hill and Carrboro, with plans for a Rocky River seltzer also underway.
Days on the farm can bring challenges, but Samuel finds immense reward in the heartfelt feedback from customers. “The most rewarding parts are the emails I get randomly,” he says. “I’ll forward them to my dad and Katie if we’re having a bad day. This is why we do this, it keeps us going.”
Katie, Miles and Samuel Brownfield have embraced farm life in North Carolina and are excited to continue expanding Rocky River Hemp’s product line.
Solstice Herb Farm
very hand-crafted product from Solstice Herb Farm, from soaps and lotions to mists and oils, has roots in just a single acre. That acre belongs to founder Stephanie Fay and her family, who have cultivated a charming Pittsboro haven filled with gardens, berry orchards, ducks, chickens and pigs.
Stephanie started the familyrun microfarm after moving to Pittsboro from the Chicago area in 2011. She never imagined
Stephanie Fay crafts every Solstice Herb Farm product by hand in her Pittsboro workshop using seasonal herbs and botanicals grown on her farm.
Wendy and Jacques Dufour, Proprietors
Chatham
that her new homestead would become the site of her very own business, but her love for gardening and passion for herbalism flourished on the property, and what began in the gardens soon grew into a full-fledged farm-to-face skincare operation.
Every season, Stephanie designs and creates her unique plant-based products by hand using organic ingredients grown on the farm or by other artisan producers. Her “Sol Daily Super
Solstice Herb Farm products include exfoliating facial masks and body scrubs, seasonal home and personal fragrances, hydrating oils and serums and beautiful bar soaps.
Chatham
Serum,” an oil-based facial serum packed with skin-healing botanicals, is the farm’s most popular product. “It’s been gaining a cult following in Chatham,” she says. Another fan favorite during the holidays is the “Holy Crown Sacred Anointing Aroma Roller,” featuring frankincense, myrrh and shimmers of gold.
Stephanie’s products aren’t just about skincare – she’s equally focused on caring for the earth. The business runs on a permaculturebased philosophy of responsible and ethical land stewardship that’s visible in every step of production. “We grow whatever we can to use in our products, feed our family and recycle farm inputs and outputs,” she says. Plants like comfrey and nettle serve multiple purposes: “[They provide] food for ourselves and our animals,
Living in harmony with the land and embracing the changing seasons creates a life that is full of peace and beauty.
– Stephanie Fay
act as medicine, fertilizer and soil-builders, and of course, are used in our skincare products,” Stephanie says.
Solstice Herb Farm offers limited-edition products crafted to align with the natural rhythms of the earth, a core value of the company. Certain ingredients flourish only in specific seasons, so some products may not be available year-round – or not return at all. “Our governing philosophy is to model and educate others in the value of herbs and other botanicals for our personal well-being and to honor our planet’s precious gifts,” Stephanie says. “Living in harmony with the land and embracing the changing seasons creates a life that is full of peace and beauty.” Stephanie skillfully balances the tasks of
growing ingredients, crafting products and managing their brick-and-mortar shop on Rectory Street with grace and resilience. Nearly four years ago, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Although she’s in stable condition today, the experience has shifted her focus, compelling her to prioritize her own health and self-care. “When it comes to running my business, I have to make a lot of sacrifices and compromises,” she says. “This journey back to relative health hasn’t been easy, but I’ve been blessed with enormous community support along the way.”
And supporting her community in return is what keeps Stephanie moving. “When someone tells me how much they love a certain product, or how the story about a product resonated deeply with them and stirred beloved memories from their childhood, then I know that I’ve done something truly impactful,” she says. “We talk a lot about making ‘magick’ when making products. The real magic is bringing unexpected joy to others.”
LRaeihle@HPW.com
LeahRaeihle.HPW.com
Chatham
innovators Interior
Our readers’ favorite interior design professionals share their favorite tips, tricks and projects
By MORGAN CARTIER WESTON
What does it mean to have your business in Chatham?
Hannah Brown We love Pittsboro and Chatham and enjoy maintaining that smalltown feel in our stores and with our clients, even as the area grows.
Mary Kate Bedell I am so honored to be a part of making the homes of Chatham County beautiful and functional.
Cheryl Bafford Being in Chatham allows us to form special relationships with clients and trade partners, which helps us create amazing spaces that truly reflect our community.
Ashlie Campbell & Shana O’Leary Having a business here means being part of a close-knit community where relationships and tradition matter. Our business isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces – it’s about enhancing the life of our town and connecting with people on a personal level.
How would you describe your design style, and how has it evolved over the years?
HB I’m traditional at heart, but I’ve become more emboldened with my use of color and patterns. The most important elements to me are that a space feels layered and comfortable. There is no sense in design if it’s not comfortable and livable.
Hannah Brown Deep River Mercantile and Deep River Home
Mary Kate Bedell Fresh Air Designs
Cheryl Bafford
Cheryl Bafford Interior Design
Ashlie Campbell and Shana O’Leary An Acquired Style
Chatham
MKB My style is collaborative and creative. I’m always evolving, learning something new every day. I enjoy working with people who love the process and strive for both quality and innovation.
AC & SO Our name says it all – An Acquired Style. It’s eclectic, collected and tells a story. Everyone’s home should be an expression of who they are, where they have been and where they want to go.
What influences your design choices the most – client preferences, global trends or personal taste?
MKB Client preferences steer the design, but I also educate them on the best choices for function and aesthetics. Nature, balance and wellness are key influences.
BY
AC & SO Client preferences are always at the forefront because, ultimately, it’s their home, their sanctuary and it should reflect their personality and lifestyle. Our role is to bring their vision to life in a way that exceeds their expectations, but we also draw from our own world travels, cultural experiences and design knowledge to bring in fresh perspectives and unique elements.
What’s a design tip or trick you use in your own home that our readers might find useful?
HB Always get the bigger rug! Good design gets floundered by rugs that are too small for their space. A good rule of thumb for a living room is that at least the first two legs of your furniture should be on the rug.
Mary Kate Bedell, a certified kitchen and bath designer, encourages clients to get creative by adding a pop of color or a contrasting tile pattern.
PHOTO
ANDREW SHERMAN
Chatham
What advice would you give to someone looking to hire an interior designer for the first time?
HB People often think we’ll tell them they need all new stuff, but we can often reimagine existing pieces. Another misconception is that working with a designer is expensive. A simple consultation can save you money by [helping you] avoid costly mistakes.
MKB Ask lots of questions about the design process and services offered. Also,
Deep River Mercantile offers an array of home goods and gifts in addition to Hannah’s design services.
Chatham
ask for references and be ready to share the goals and scope of your project.
CB If you’re building a new home, involve your interior designer early. They’ll keep your goals and design objectives in focus, saving you from costly errors.
AC & SO Set goals you want to accomplish and set a realistic budget. Design is a visual language, so having pictures of inspiration can help get everyone on the same page.
Can you share a particularly challenging project you worked on recently and how you overcame the obstacles?
CB Because we get involved in the details of construction, most of our projects are challenging. We think of creative methods to help with visualization; in addition to our typical tools of 3D renderings and drawings, we take [the client] to a house we’ve worked on where there are relevant elements or study physical materials. Or, in the case of a current Raleigh project, working with [architect] Shaw Design Associates we were able to put proposed designs into a 3D model. The clients can walk through the house using virtual goggles!
The An Acquired Style team layered warm tones and textured fabrics to create a luxe yet approachable mood in The Sycamore at Chatham Mills lounge.
PHOTO BY RANDI MARKOWITZ
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Chatham
What has been your favorite project recently and why?
CB We’re currently working on a project in Cary that’s about to break ground. It’s been challenging, but the collaboration with our clients and trade partners has made it incredibly rewarding.
MKB I’ve recently completed two kitchen projects that incorporate curves and natural wood and stone. One has a stunning island constructed of natural cherry cabinetry with a curved countertop of natural quartzite stone married with a tiger wood butcher block on each end. The other kitchen features a
graceful, curved shaped island incorporating natural white oak tambour panels mixed with crisp whites and smoldering blues.
Are there any emerging trends you’re excited about or think will be big in the coming year?
MKB Infusing color into kitchens, whether it’s a pop of color, tone-on-tone or mixing metal finishes. Green is the new neutral, and natural materials are a must!
AC & SO Color and more color! We’re also excited about upcycling and mixing vintage with new pieces.
Cheryl Bafford’s designs are an intentional balance of form and function, as shown in this cozy sitting area.
PHOTO BY ABIGAIL JACKSON
Chatham
unwind Ultimate
A local’s guide to self-care
By ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA
Pick a day. Any day. Schedule time just for you. Or, set aside a day with a friend who you haven’t seen in a while. Then be inspired by some of these readers’ favorite businesses as you plan a much-needed break.
Going
Solo
Begin your day early with a mindful morning flow class at Yoga Garden PBO on East Street After centering yourself, walk to the nearby Small B&B Cafe for a plate of the weekly ‘Famous Eats’ special. This is an everchanging dish that’s based on a favorite food of a chosen celebrity, like the omelet inspired by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth – who eats like a god and has been known to consume three for breakfast – or the “Jesus
Some of the Yoga Garden PBO instructors and members take a deep breath in front of the studio’s butterfly mural, painted by Loren Pease of Sweet Pease Art. Left to right are Heather Cassese, Lexie Wolf, Eleanor Green, Meadow DeFosche-Christ, Susan Bone, Aviva Tulasi, Lisa Pigeon, Cathy Brooksie Edwards, Jaime Warkonyi and Heather Bryant.
PHOTO BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA
Powerful Skincare
Meet Chris G. Adigun, MD, boardcertified dermatologist and the owner of the Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill. Dr. Adigun and her team provide comprehensive medical and cosmetic dermatological services in a warm and welcoming environment. Using cutting-edge technology and treatment options, she and her providers help address concerns from acne to wrinkles to that extra belly fat that won’t go away.
For Dr. Adigun and the DLC team, building a trusting relationship and providing individualized care is the main focus. Treating patients respectfully, expressing genuine concern, and talking with them are hallmarks of the practice. Working together, Dr. Adigun helps patients identify and achieve their personal skincare goals because DLC believes everyone can have the skin they love.
Chatham
Take the Wheel” spinach quesadilla inspired by country singer Carrie Underwood. After you peel yourself from the chair, head to the Spa at Bell House on Salisbury Street for an hourlong pedicure. Then, stroll to French Connections to choose a cotton fabric newly arrived from Provence or Senegal for that sewing project you’ve been meaning to do, like making a new set of placemats or a picnic tablecloth. Or, check out the inventory of shoes and clothing at New Horizons Downtown and the creative gift ideas at Show of Hands Gallery on Hillsboro Street. Wrap up your afternoon by enjoying a glass of wine at Vino!! Wine Shop as you watch people pass by the large storefront windows.
LEFT French Connections carries a wide assortment of fabrics and crafts mostly from France and Africa. BELOW The new location of Vino!! Wine Shop has an expanded bar and seating area inside.
Chatham
With Friends
eet friends for Sunday brunch at West End Kitchen on the corner of West and Rectory streets.
The menu, which includes inspiring affirmations like ‘You are beautiful’ and ‘You are amazing,’ is full of delectable items (we’re fans of the pimento cheese croquettes). All the dishes are locally sourced and made from scratch.
After you’ve had your fill, go hunting for treasure at Finders and Seekers Emporium
next door, wander over to Frye Studios to experience unique artwork by Charlie Frye and Susan Frye or browse new and vintage decor, jewelry and more at Marigold across West Street.
If your group is feeling creative, consider signing up for a beginner watercolor painting or clay handbuilding class at Clayworx Studios on Fayetteville Street.
Finally, wrap up your fun day with a cold pint and live music on the patio at Havoc Brewing Company at the traffic circle, just a block northeast of the clay studio.
Find a cozy seat inside West End Kitchen and enjoy a meal with friends.
Make the day last longer with a pint of Havoc Actual, a Mexican lager from Havoc Brewing Company.
Chatham
aheadPaw-Fect Days
What vaccinations should my pet have before traveling or going out frequently?
Becky Norman Dogs should be kept up to date on rabies, bordetella and distemper/parvo vaccines at a minimum. If there has been an outbreak of canine flu in your area, you should definitely consider getting their canine flu vaccines as well. Cats should be kept up to date on rabies and feline distemper vaccines and should be tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.
Dr. Katie Sizer
There are several core vaccines that every dog and cat should have including rabies and a combination vaccine [to protect against] distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus and parainfluenza (DAAP) for dogs and herpesvirus, calicivirus and panleukopenia (FVRCP) for cats. Plus all cats younger than 1 year of age should be vaccinated for feline leukemia virus (FeLV). There are also some non-core “lifestyle” vaccines that should be considered depending on each pet’s specific risk. For example, cats who do not go outside often do not need to continue to receive the FeLV vaccine
Hear From
Becky Norman office manager, Tysor Veterinary Clinic
Best Pet Boarding
Dr. Katie Sizer
DVM, Haw River Animal Hospital
Best Veterinarian & Best New Business
Emily Feight director of pet care, Green Beagle Lodge Best Pet Boarding
A few of our readers’ fave boarders and vets share their tips for keeping your pets happy and healthy this autumn
Photography courtesy of HAW RIVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Dr. Katie Sizer gives Tony a thorough checkup at Haw River Animal Hospital with the assistance of Bridget Steffeney. Pet owners need to be mindful of the health and well-being of their furry friends as autumn arrives.
after 1 year of age. Even though it is considered a non-core vaccine, I highly recommend vaccinating all dogs for leptospirosis (also known as “lepto”), a highly infectious disease spread by wildlife (particularly in the urine of rodents). It is ubiquitous in the environment and not only can it cause severe, even deadly disease, but it is also zoonotic, meaning it can be spread to humans, too. In addition to this, any dog who is spending time around other dogs, particularly in a kennel, day care, grooming or boarding setting, should be vaccinated against bordetella (commonly called kennel cough) and against canine influenza virus (CIV). Every pet’s risk is different, and it is important to discuss your individual pet’s risk factors with your veterinarian to come up with a customized vaccination plan for your furry family member!
Emily Feight Whenever your pet is traveling to a new area or meeting new friends, it is most important to ensure their rabies vaccination is up to date and to travel with their ID tag to certify they are meeting state and federal vaccination regulations. If your pet won’t be traveling with you and perhaps lodging or staying with friends, they should receive their distemper vaccine, which will protect against viruses that they may come in contact with when sharing spaces. We require these two vaccines, as well as an up-to-date bordetella vaccine and a fecal exam every six months to ensure our environment is as safe and germ-free as possible. We also recommend an annual influenza vaccine to help protect your furry loved ones against more severe flu symptoms, such as pneumonia!
What identification measures should I take for my pet before traveling?
BN Make sure your pet has some type of identification when traveling. Microchips are great, and we always recommend them. However, a tag with your name and phone number is very important as well. That allows someone who finds your pet to reach out to you immediately without having to take your pet into a veterinary clinic to scan for a chip.
Are there any fall-specific allergens that could affect my pet?
BN Pets can have seasonal allergies just like humans! Symptoms may include watery eyes, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing and itching.
KS Many pets do suffer from allergic skin disease, which can cause excessive licking of the paws, scratching at the skin and ears, and even redness, hair loss and secondary
infections. Allergies can be year-round or can be seasonal. Some causes [of] allergic skin disease in the fall might include a flea allergy or an environmental allergy. Despite common misconceptions, fleas can be present year-round and are often a problem in the fall months. Pets who have exposure to flea bites can develop a hypersensitivity or allergy to them, which can make them extremely itchy, particularly around the tail, rump and hind legs. The best way to avoid this is to use a good flea and tick prevention year-round on all pets in the household. Environmental allergies can also cause itching in the fall; certain grasses and weeds that pollinate can trigger itching in dogs with a hypersensitivity to these things. There are also environmental allergies that exist year-round like dust mites and storage mites. Unfortunately, these allergies are nearly impossible to avoid, but you can partner with your veterinarian to formulate a successful management plan for your pet if they suffer from environmental allergies.
EF We often observe certain guests experiencing allergic reactions during changes of season. When leaves begin to fall, we see mold and mildew being common allergen triggers for sensitive pups. We take extra care to keep our play yards and facilities free and clear of leaves and pine needles, including frequent disinfection of these spaces to reduce the irritants in our environment. We actively monitor all symptoms and signs of allergies and partake in cooperative care with pet owners and veterinarians, and we always follow the care instructions for guests entrusted to the lodge.
What precautions should I take for my pet on colder days?
EF As we transition out of the heat of summer days, we often see our pets becoming a bit more active and willing to spend time outside in the reduced humidity and cool temperatures! It is always important to monitor changes in activity with your pets and to ensure they have plenty of rest time. During our first frosts and chilly mornings and evenings, it can be helpful to dress your pets in warm, dry clothing. At Green Beagle Lodge, we transition our facility for cold weather by packing up our kiddie pools and water toys once the temperature begins dropping below 60 degrees. We continue educating staff on the signs of discomfort from the cold and teach how to properly fit guests with warm weather clothing.
KS It’s important that pets who spend time primarily outdoors are provided with a warm, dry and secure shelter and that they have a source of water always readily available. For pets who spend time primarily indoors, it is important to make sure that they are protected from the cold weather when they go outside. Some breeds, like huskies, may have natural protection with thick double coats, but other breeds, like lean sighthounds, may be more prone to becoming cold and may even benefit from a jacket or boots in the cool weather. If you notice your pet shivering or seeking warmth, this is likely a sign that he or she is too cold and should be taken inside. It is also critical to immediately and thoroughly dry any pet who is wet from bathing or swimming in cooler weather. The normal body temperature of a dog and cat is higher than humans (typically
Holly relaxes as she is well taken care of at Haw River Animal Hospital. Look out for your furry friends by scheduling regular checkups for them!
Best of
Chatham
more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit), and this can plummet into hypothermia quickly in a pet with a wet coat who is exposed to the cold. As a general rule of thumb, if it is too cold for you to spend time outside, then it is probably too cold for your pet.
How can I prepare my pet for the noise and excitement of Halloween night?
BN Holidays can pose dangers for pets in terms of inappropriate food items and decorations. Be sure and keep a close eye on your pets during those times and try to make it as difficult as possible for them to come in contact with any food or decoration that would be harmful.
KS For some pets, it may be very enjoyable to have lots of company and excitement on Halloween night, but for many others, it can be scary. Trick-or-treaters ringing the doorbell repeatedly, crowds of people walking past the house, strange noises and seeing people in unfamiliar costumes can all be very frightening for many pets. It is often best to secure your pet in a quiet area of the house where he or she cannot see or hear any of the Halloween activities. You can provide positive distraction with new playthings and even puzzle feeders and toys. Playing the TV on a channel that the pet is familiar with or even playing classical music, which has been shown to have a calming effect, can also help to drown out some of the unfamiliar noises on Halloween night. Calming pheromones have been shown to reduce anxiety in pets, so using a pheromone diffuser in the area where the pet is staying may be helpful, too! Ultimately, for some pets, the stress of Halloween may be so much that they may need calming medication prescribed by their veterinarian. If you are unsure if medication is the right option for your pet, please consult with your veterinarian.
EF Halloween night can be a very odd, confusing and sometimes scary time for pets who are not familiar with the holiday! If you plan to wear a costume, we recommend familiarizing your dog with it before the night of Halloween. If you have to leave them, consider lodging them! Green Beagle Lodge can provide them with a quiet evening away from the Halloween festivities if your dog is uncomfortable with lots of strangers and whacky decorations. It’s always helpful to communicate with anyone caring for your pets, like your day care provider, after an eventful or stressful night that could impact their mood.
How can I make sure my pet gets enough exercise as the days get shorter?
BN Exercise is important for your pet. If your dog loves a nice walk, consider going early in the morning when the days are getting shorter or when the temperature is high in the summer. Be careful about walking on pavement during the summer season. Lit paths are great for winter walks. Cats can always be entertained in your home with a variety of toys, no matter the season or weather.
EF As the days get shorter and our daylight hours dwindle, it’s important to still make sure that your pets are getting enough activity. Our play groups continue even after dark with the use of bright outdoor lighting and covered play areas that allow pets to play in a safe environment as winter approaches! We also recommend considering mental stimulation and enrichment games that your pets can enjoy in the comfort of indoors; our staff can give you personalized advice on solutions that fit your needs and knowledge.
Patios for Pooches
Pup parents agree: these are the top outdoor hangouts for their furry friends
Enjoy a sunny day with your furry friend at Cafe Root Cellar, where ample shade creates the perfect setting for both pets and humans to socialize. At Carolina Brewery, treat your pup to live music while you savor one of their refreshing brews (and don’t miss Fried Chicken Night every Wednesday!). Havoc Brewing Company in historic downtown Pittsboro offers a spacious patio where you can unwind with a craft beer or perk up with a coffee, making it an ideal spot any time of day. Or visit Red Moose Brewing Company for a lively evening of potluck trivia (bring and/or enjoy dishes made with love by other trivia guests) and open mic nights – fun for you and your pup!
KS Exercise does not have to take huge amounts of time; even taking a 20- or 30-minute walk each day can make a huge difference in the health of your pet! As the days get shorter, this can be tricky, but there are some ways to still get that time in each day. For cats, making sure that you schedule a 20- to 30-minute indoor play session each day is very important. Cats enjoy engaging in predatory play behavior, so you can encourage play with feather wands or toy mice to mimic hunting. Cats also play better when they are hungry, so schedule your play sessions before breakfast or dinner time for the best engagement. For dogs, you can take them out for a walk during lunch breaks or even after work as long as you are using appropriate lights and reflectors for protection after dark. Many dogs can even be trained to use a treadmill successfully. This takes time and patience, and the dog should never be unsupervised on the treadmill, but this might be a good option for
dogs who cannot get outside for a daily walk. Make sure to consult with your veterinarian about the right type and amount of exercise for your pet, since this varies for each individual based on their age, weight and other medical conditions.
What are the most common pet emergencies you see in autumn?
KS Hypothermia; pancreatitis, a serious and painful gastrointestinal condition [that] can happen if a pet ingests too much food high in fat, something seen more often around the holidays; injuries (lacerations, nail and paw injuries, sprains and strains) [because] as the weather cools down, many pets become more active, and there is more risk of injury; [toxicities including] chocolate ingestion, [which] can cause mild symptoms like gastroenteritis (upset tummy) to severe symptoms like tachycardia and seizures, depending on the dose, xylitol toxicity, [as] even a small amount of this artificial sweetener, [which is] commonly used in sugar-free gums and candies, can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia and liver disease, and mushroom toxicity – many mushrooms are harmless, but some can be very toxic if ingested. If any type of toxicity is suspected, please call the ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435, and then notify your veterinarian immediately.
How can I help my pet cope with the changing weather?
EF It is so important to pay attention to your pet’s body language and monitor their behavior as seasons change. We recommend discussing any behavioral changes with an experienced handler who can help you to understand the emotions your pet might be experiencing. We take a cooperative approach to day care and lodging, and feed back any behavioral changes or concerns that we see with guests when they’re away from home. Our staff is trained on monitoring body language and moods and can provide helpful insight for both parents, pets and their health care providers!
veterinary services
Chatham County Mobile Veterinary Services chathamcountymobilevet.com 919-239-9362
Equine and farm animal care
Chatham Veterinary Service 1114 Greensboro Ave., Siler City chathamveterinaryservice.com 919-742-4441
In-clinic diagnostics and digital radiography
Cole Park Veterinary Hospital 55 Woodbridge Dr., Chapel Hill coleparkvet.com 919-929-3352
Acupuncture, laser, Chinese herbs, dental care, wellness and grooming. Boarding and day care (for current clients only).
Dogwood Veterinary Hospital & Pet Resort
51 Vickers Rd., Chapel Hill dogwoodvethospital.com 919-942-6330
Dental care, laser therapy, boarding, day care and grooming
Dr. Adriano Betton Mobile Veterinary Care drbetton.com 919-602-4291
Dental care
Fearrington Veterinary House Calls fearringtonveterinaryhousecalls.com; fvhc.doctor@gmail.com 919-548-8413
Senior pet care, annual exams and vaccinations, home euthanasia and pet hospice, skin and ear problems, and more
Friendship Mobile Veterinary Services
Serves eastern Chatham and western Wake counties friendshipmobilevet.com 919-267-3572
Behavioral consults, dental care, radiology, injury and illness, blood work, microchipping, nutritional guidance, senior pet care, surgery, wellness and preventive medicine
Hill Creek Veterinary Hospital 75 Old Graham Rd., Pittsboro hillcreekvet.com 919-542-1141
Dentistry, laser therapy, ultrasound, acupuncture, Chinese and Western herbal medicine, grooming, preventative and wellness care, and senior and hospice care
Hope Crossing Animal Hospital
58 E. Cotton Rd., Pittsboro hopecrossing.com 919-542-1975
Full-service, urgent care and laser therapy
Jordan Lake Animal Hospital 50-B Chatham Corners Dr., Pittsboro jordanlakeanimalhospital.vetstreet.com 919-542-5424
Dental care and limited boarding and bathing
Labradoodle Angus lounges on his human’s bed.
Photo
Kindred Heart at Governors Village
50150 Governors Dr., Chapel Hill kindredheartvet.com
919-756-7680
Veterinarian care and grooming
Pittsboro Animal Hospital
1065 East St., Pittsboro pittsboroanimalhospital.com
919-542-5712
Acupuncture, cold laser therapy, wellness visits, sick visits, dental care and routine surgeries
Polaris Equine Mobile Veterinary Clinic polarisequine.com
919-429-9492
Equine and other farm animal care
Tysor Veterinary Clinic
1401 N. Second Ave., Siler City tysorvet.net
919-742-3646
Dental care, cold laser therapy, routine and specialized surgeries
boarding Companion Camp
3408 Castle Rock Farm Rd., Pittsboro companioncamp.net
919-545-2267
Boarding for dogs and cats
Green Beagle Lodge
120 Lodge Ln., Pittsboro and 6805 Millhouse Rd., Chapel Hill greenbeaglelodge.com
919-929-7387
Offers award-winning boarding, day care, bathing and training services
Pettsboro Groom and Room 117 Elf Way, Pittsboro facebook.com/pettsboro.groomnroom 919-542-6214
Dog boarding, grooming, training and day care
adoption & rescue organizations
Chatham Animal Rescue and Education chathamanimalrescue.org
CARE is a county leader that is fostering animals and helping them find their forever homes. The organization works extensively to make spay/neuter surgeries available for pet owners that need assistance and is dedicated to bettering the lives of cats and dogs in Chatham County.
Chatham Sheriff’s Animal Resource Center 725 Renaissance Dr., Pittsboro facebook.com/chathamsoar
The ARC is a great place to meet your next family member. It also offers volunteer opportunities to support its mission of caring for animals. Volunteers play an essential role, assisting with a wide range of activities including dog walking, grooming, socialization, events, photography and dog and cat enrichment.
Nonprofit animal sanctuary, dedicated for 20 years, providing cage-free care for cats regardless of age or medical issues. TGR aims to find great families to adopt the cats, but they can also live the rest of their lives with the nonprofit.
Turtle Pants Farm Pittsboro turtlepantsfarm.org
This nonprofit rescue provides a safe haven and potential adoption for a variety of species, including dogs, cats, chickens, donkeys and cows. The farm takes in, rehabilitates and re-homes animals with a focus on ensuring that every creature has a chance to survive and thrive.
public dog parks
The Park at Briar Chapel 1015 Andrews Store Rd., Pittsboro chathamcountync.gov
Southern Community Dog Park
1000 Dogwood Acres Dr., Chapel Hill townofchapelhill.org cm
Club Culture
Discover our vibrant entertainment scene
By LAUREN ROUSE
Chatham is brimming with performance venues that capture our culture and community spirit. Whether you’re drawn to intimate concerts, large festivals or open-air movie nights, these readers’ favorite venues deliver a perfect blend of fun, relaxation and local charm. Here’s what to know before you go:
Bynum Front Porch
his community-run nonprofit was founded in 2006 and has become a cornerstone of Chatham’s cultural scene, ensuring the retired cotton mill’s unique heritage is preserved while hosting family-friendly events. On Friday evenings in the summer, the air along the Haw River fills with the soulful sounds of gospel, folk, blues and bluegrass as musicians gather on the cozy porch. You don’t need a ticket to attend, but donations for the bands are accepted on-site. While you’re there, grab dinner from a food truck on the property or enjoy a nonalcoholic drink or ice cream cone from the Bynum General Store
When winter rolls around, professional storytellers, local comedians and community members meet every second Saturday for an evening of captivating narratives and infectious laughter. This year, new, ticketed events are on the horizon. Convenient parking is available beside the store and overflow parking is by the ball field. The store and restroom facilities are accessible to those with disabilities. Events are free to attend. For more information, visit bynumfrontporch.org/events.
PHOTO BY RENEE AMBROSO
The Plant
he diverse eco-industrial park spans 17 acres on the east side of Pittsboro and serves as a year-round destination for culture and community. There’s always something happening at The Plant, including live music, food festivals, laugh-out-loud improv nights, captivating art exhibits, a weekly farmers’ market and various workshops throughout the year. The venue doubles as a foodie destination, with options including JDub’s PoBoys, Lilly Den Farm Meats & Eats, Kingston 99 Kitchen, Fair Game Beverage Co., Metal Brixx Cafe and Starrlight Mead. Ample parking is available around the property and accessible parking is behind bmc brewing with sidewalks and pavers for accessibility. Don’t miss the upcoming PepperFest Sept. 29, a lively celebration of sustainable agriculture, showcasing the creativity of local chefs, brewers and artisans. The festival features live music, delectable food and drink, a bustling pop-up market and a hot sauce competition – plus, of course, all things pepper! Most events are free to attend. For more information, visit theplantnc.com/musicevents.
Shakori Hills
wice a year, nearly 500 volunteers transform the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center grounds at 1439 Henderson Tanyard Rd. into a music lovers’ paradise. The unique venue hosts the 20th annual Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival Oct. 3-6, offering a rich blend of entertainment and community spirit. Festival-goers can choose from three camping options –RV, vehicle and primitive tent sites – and enjoy more than 10 food trucks throughout the weekend, plus craft vendors, music and dance workshops and activities exclusively for kids and teens. On-site parking is available for $10 per day or $25 for the entire weekend. Be sure to bring your refillable water bottle, as the grounds are equipped with deep well water stations – just follow the signs on the map. Beyond its signature fall and spring festivals, the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center hosts a variety of music and arts events throughout the year, making it a cultural cornerstone for the community. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit shakorihillsgrassroots.org/tickets.
PHOTO BY GREG STEWART
PHOTO BY ADRIAN MORENO
MOSAIC at Chatham Park
he live-work-play-learn community is a burgeoning blend of retail, restaurants, services and venue spaces quickly becoming a destination for families. Every Friday evening from May through October, kick off your weekend with movies and concerts held on alternating weeks at the Philip H. Kohl MOSAIC Family Commons lawn. To join the fun, park at 367 Freedom Pkwy. and follow the signs to the green. A separate dropoff location and golf cart shuttles are available to ensure easy access for everyone. Savor local flavors with a takeout meal from Greek Kouzina
– another readers’ fave – or grab a drink at Hops & Berry Taproom. Food trucks and vendors also offer a variety of bites, along with beer and wine available for purchase (outside alcohol is not permitted). Be sure to bring your own blanket and chair to comfortably enjoy the festivities! Events are free to attend. For more information, visit mosaicatchathampark.com/events
Voted Best Non Profit, Best Summer Camp, Best Group Outing, and Best Place to Host a Children’s Birthday Party!
Carolina Tiger Rescue would like to send its thanks to the Chatham County community for their unending support. This year we are proud to be voted “best of” in four categories! The sanctuary has been a part of the Pittsboro community for nearly 50 years and gives visitors the opportunity to learn about and make a difference in the lives of animals in need. With more than 200 volunteers, countless monthly sustainers, and more than 20,000 visitors each year, opportunities
to get involved are endless! Carolina Tiger Rescue believes the ideal home for wildlife is in the wild. Unfortunately, thousands of wild cats across the U.S. are bred and sold into private homes, the entertainment industry, and to roadside zoos for the sole purpose of exploitation. In addition to advocating against their exploitation, Carolina Tiger Rescue gives wild cats that have survived these circumstances a second chance at life, providing safe and comfortable homes where they can live in peace.
funFamily
Create lasting memories at these readers’ favorite art studios, event spaces and adventure havens that offer activities for all ages
By LEAH BERRY
Bust a Move
et grooving at 7 Dance Centre, a Pittsboro dance school that provides a creative environment where participants learn to express themselves and find their personal strengths. The studio’s full season starts Sept. 3, with classes running through May 2025, and there’s a wide variety of programs for all ages and skill levels – from ballet, jazz and contemporary to clogging, hip-hop, acro, combination classes and more. Sign up for a “My Grown Up & Me”
class for ages 2-3 – where tiny dancers can explore the possibilities of dance – or become a student yourself and meet some new friends in an adult dance class. Visit 7dancecentre. com to see the comprehensive list of classes and register your little – or big – ones! The school’s resident youth theater program, 7 Dramatic Arts, also hosts a “Spooky Songs” camp for ages 3-10 from Oct. 1-29, or join the audience for a production of “Six: Teen Edition,” following the six wives of Henry VIII, Sept. 27-29.
Get Your Hands Dirty C
layworx Studios in Pittsboro offers creative clay classes suitable for all ages and levels, where you can start – or continue – your journey with clay. Older kids can stop by the studio for a ceramics or throwing class, with sessions held regularly throughout the year. The “Teens on Wheels” program caters to ages 16-20 and explores the process of crafting functional ware and art with clay, including how to center clay on the wheel, surface decoration, the drying process, trimming, glazing and firing. A new session begins Sept. 3, continuing for four weeks, and another starts Oct. 1 and concludes on Oct. 22. “Youth Clay Explorations” is a ceramics program for ages 8-16 that teaches participants different handbuilding techniques for creating and finishing projects in clay, with the last session giving students a quick introduction to throwing on a potter’s wheel. A new group kicks off Sept. 5 and runs through Sept. 26, followed by a session from Oct. 3 through Oct. 24. Or, join your teens for a “Morning in the Mud” workshop – a three-hour session open to anyone ages 16 and up that encourages beginners to discover their inner potter. Participants will explore several different methods of working with clay, including wheel throwing, slab building and modeling. “These are perfect for those who want to do something with the family, and get a starting taste for clay,” Jane Burgess, Clayworx instructor and co-owner, says. Check out the studio’s website, clayworxstudios.com, for exact dates to come!
Clayworx’s “Teens on Wheels” program is designed for young adults aged 16-20 who are interested in exploring the art of throwing clay on the wheel. Learn a new skill and have some fun – no prior experience required!
Farm Fresh Fun
he historic four-acre Old Mill Farm offers familyfriendly events, private rentals and educational classes and workshops. Invite your crew to a Fridays at the Farm event every week through November – an ideal way to kick off the weekend as you enjoy tunes from a different band while enjoying fare from a new food truck each week. Or, if you’re looking to spend a whole day at the farm, season passes are available at the beginning of each year and a limited number of day passes are available pending space – admission is $20 per car and includes access to the farm, where you can feed and pet goats, watch alpacas graze, fish in the pond, mine for gemstones, enjoy a local craft beer or glass of wine, or just let the kids frolic while you take in scenic views. “Families can play, connect and unwind in a way unlike any other in the Triangle,” says owner Alec Moore. Upcoming events include Durham-based reggae, rock, funk and rap band The Bull Dirtys on Sept. 13 and Morgan Creek Bluegrass on Oct. 11. Plus, check out the Baby Goat Festival on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for baby goat snuggling, baby goat yoga, goat soap making, live music and more, or Oktoberfest on the Farm in early October featuring a petting zoo, hayrides, food and drinks. The kiddos can also join in Trick or Treat on the Farm on weekends in mid- to late-October, and choose a picture-perfect pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch, which opens in early October. Secure your tickets online at oldmillfarmdurham.com
Old Mill Farm’s fall happenings are the perfect way for the kids – and adults –to get festive, meet animals and have fun.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF OLD MILL FARM
Class Acts
Chatham County Parks and Recreation features a range of family-friendly activities throughout the year, allowing participants to learn, craft and create. Register your kiddos ages 6-8 to join the “Clay Monsters” program on Sept. 14 and Sept. 21 from 10-11:30 a.m at the Chatham Grove Community Center, where participants will create a pinch pot and magically transform it into a silly monster. Ages 4-6 can also learn how seeds turn into vegetables, create silly flowers, paint planter pots and fill them with soil as part of the “Doodley Dandies” program on Sept. 13 from 10-11:30 a.m.
For those aged 18 and up, explore the process of mosaic art using broken crockery, glass, jewelry and natural objects on Tuesdays from Oct. 15 through Nov. 19, or celebrate the unpredictable nature of watercolor and create whimsical flower designs on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 with a “Watercolor & Whimsey Workshop.” Or, bring the whole family to enjoy an afternoon of fun at the Trunk or Treat Fall Festival at Southwest District Park Oct. 19 from 2-5 p.m. with Halloween activities like pumpkin carving and painting, games, crafts, a hay hunt, a photo booth, a magician and trunk or treat starting at 4 p.m. Community members are invited to dress in their best costume!
Dress in your best costume, carve a pumpkin, play some games, collect candy and more at Chatham County Parks and Recreation’s Trunk or Treat Fall Festival at Southwest District Park on Oct. 19.
Roar and Explore C
atch a glimpse of lions, tigers and leopards (oh my!) at the nonprofit wildlife sanctuary Carolina Tiger Rescue. The organization saves and protects cats in captivity and in the wild – which also includes cougars, leopards, caracals, servals, bobcats and more – and offers public tours and field trips. All visits to CTR require an advance ticket purchase or reservation –book a private tour with your closest friends and family (usually only available at least two months out) for a more personal experience, or join in a public all ages tour year-round on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Bring the adult kids (18 years old and up) for a Twilight Tour – a more intimate experience to meet the animals where guests have the sanctuary to themselves at the end of the day – on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from April through October.
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Best of
Chatham
2024 winners Best of Chatham
*All results listed in alphabetical order
**The presence of five or more winners is the result of a tie
Dining
Asian Food
China Inn Restaurant (Pittsboro)
New Japan
Szechuan Village
Yami K-Bap at Chatham Marketplace
Barbecue
Allen & Son Bar-B-Que
Big Mikes BBQ
The Broken Spit
Ni Armor’s Hawaiian & Polynesian BBQ
Biscuits
Al’s Diner
Cafe Root Cellar
The Phoenix Bakery
Virlie’s Grill
Burger and Fries
Carolina Brewery
Chris’s Drive-In
Town Hall Burger & Beer
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
Catering
Allen & Son Bar-B-Que
39 West Catering
Cafe Root Cellar
West End Kitchen
Chef Benjamin Guaman, Governors Club
Chad Hardin, West End Kitchen
Sera Cuni, Cafe Root Cellar
Shane Ingram, The Sycamore at Chatham Mills
Comfort/Southern Food
Al’s Diner
Cafe Root Cellar
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
Virlie’s Grill
West End Kitchen
Craft Beverage Producer
BMC Brewing
Fair Game Beverage Co.
Havoc Brewing Company
Thirsty Skull Brewing
Desserts/Pastries
Cafe Root Cellar
Carolina Cravings Co.
The Phoenix Bakery
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
Dog-Friendly Patio
Cafe Root Cellar
Carolina Brewery
Havoc Brewing Company
Red Moose Brewing Company
Frozen Treats
501 Pharmacy
Circle City Ice Cream
Creative Creamery
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
Italian Food
Capp’s Pizzeria & Trattoria
Elizabeth’s Pizza (Pittsboro)
Elizabeth’s Pizza (Siler City)
Tarantini Italian Restaurant
Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Breakaway Cafe
Cafe Root Cellar
Lilly Den at The Plant
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
Town Hall Burger & Beer
Mexican/Latin American Food
Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila
Compadres Tequila Lounge (Pittsboro)
Mi Cancun
Ta Contento
Outdoor Dining
Cafe Root Cellar
Carolina Brewery
The Mod
Small Cafe B&B
Overall Restaurant
Cafe Root Cellar
Postal Fish Company
The Sycamore at Chatham Mills
West End Kitchen
Pizza
Capp’s Pizzeria & Trattoria
Elizabeth’s Pizza (Pittsboro)
The Mod
Marcel’s Pizzeria
Place for a Beer
The City Tap
Havoc Brewing Company
Hops & Berry Taproom
Red Moose Brewing Company
Place for a Cocktail
The Beagle
Hops & Berry Taproom
The Sycamore at Chatham Mills
West End Kitchen
Place for a Date Night
The Beagle
Postal Fish Company
The Sycamore at Chatham Mills
West End Kitchen
Place for a Sandwich
Breakaway Cafe
The City Tap
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
Virlie’s Grill
Place for Vegetarians
Breakaway Cafe
Cafe Root Cellar
Chatham Marketplace Co-Op Café
The City Tap
West End Kitchen
Place for Breakfast/Brunch
Cafe Root Cellar
Small Cafe B&B
Virlie’s Grill
West End Kitchen
Place to Get Coffee
Aromatic Roasters
Breakaway Cafe
The Chatham Rabbit
Davenport’s Café Diem
Place to Watch the Game
Carolina Brewery
Havoc Brewing Company
The Mod
Town Hall Burger & Beer
Queso
Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila
Compadres Tequila Lounge (Pittsboro)
Mi Cancun
Ta Contento
Seafood
Capt. John’s Dockside
Dry Dock Seafood
Postal Fish Company
The Sycamore at Chatham Mills
Steak
The Fearrington House Restaurant
Hayley Bales Steakhouse
The Sycamore at Chatham Mills
Virlie’s Grill
Takeout
Greek Kouzina
Lucky Clucker
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
Town Hall Burger & Beer
Upscale Restaurant
The Fearrington House Restaurant
Hayley-Bales Steakhouse
Postal Fish Company
The Sycamore at Chatham Mills
Wine, Beer and/or Spirits Shop
580 Craft Beer
Fair Game Beverage Co.
House of Hops
Vino!! Wine Shop
New Restaurant
Big Mikes BBQ
Kingston 99 Kitchen
Ni Armor’s Hawaiian & Polynesian BBQ
West End Kitchen
The quesabirria at Ta Contento – a top spot for Mexican fare and queso – is dripping with flavor. Balance the slow-cooked beef and melted cheese with a squeeze of lime and a tamarind soda.
Chatham Best of
*All results listed in alphabetical order
**The presence of five or more winners is the
a tie
Retail
Clothing Store
Chatham Outfitters
New Horizons Downtown
New Karma for Old Threads
Periwinkle on Chatham
Consignment/Resale Store
Chatham Habitat ReStore
Chatham PTA Thrift Shop
Finders and Seekers Emporium Fragments
Reclamation Home Furnishings
Second Bloom Thrift Shop
Gift Store
French Connections
Katty Korner
New Horizons Downtown
Shimmer
Show of Hands Gallery
Home Furnishings, Accessories and Decor
Deep River Mercantile Fragments
Reclamation Home Furnishings
Shimmer
Little Boho Valley
Jewelry Store
JG McLaurin, Goldsmith
New Horizons Downtown
Periwinkle on Chatham
Show of Hands Gallery
Locally Made Product
The Phoenix Bakery
Rocky River Hemp
Solstice Herb Farm
Southern Supreme Fruitcake
Home & Garden
Architect
Hobbs Architects
Lindley Architecture
Paces and Roehm Architecture
Steven Clipp Architecture
Construction Business/Builder
Bold Construction
Heirloom Builders
Double C
Ellington & Son Contracting
Florist
Bennett Florist
Blossom Floral Artistry
Friendly Florist
Heart Song Farm
Friends Karinda Roebuck and Lysandra Weber peruse the vibrant textiles at French Connections, one of our readers’ favorite gift stores.
result of
Best of
Chatham
*All results listed in alphabetical order
**The presence of five or more winners is the result of a tie
Interior Designer
An Acquired Style
Cheryl Bafford Interior Design
Deep River Home
Fresh Air Designs
Home Maintenance & Repair
B & T HVAC
Bud Matthews Services
Full Stack Plumbing Company
Liles Plumbing and Heating Company
Landscaper
Amy Strunk Designs
Arbor Enterprises
For Garden’s Sake
O’Mara Landscaping and Lawn Care
Rachel’s Native Plants
Landscaping & Garden Supply Store
B & L Supply
Camco Landscape Supplies
Country Farm & Home
Pittsboro Feed
Neighborhood Briar Chapel
Downtown Pittsboro
Fearrington Village Governors Club
Real Estate Agent
Dana Harshaw, Bold Realty
Dana Wicker Cantrell, Coldwell Banker HPW
Larkin Willis, Julie Roland Realty
Scott Kelley, Governors Club Realty
Real Estate Company
Bold Real Estate
Coldwell Banker HPW
Chatham Homes Realty
Julie Roland Realty
Services
Automotive Services/Repairs
Brown’s Automotive
J&W Automotive
Performance Automotive & Tire
Sanders Automotive
Bank
Fidelity Bank
First Citizens
State Employees’ Credit Union
Truist
Child Care
Learning Lemon Drops Child Care Center
Pasitos Felices
Pittsboro Baptist Preschool
Primrose School of Chapel Hill at Briar Chapel
The airy, architectural design of this Governors Club abode features a central staircase that provides a sweeping view of the home’s main living areas. Owned by Bold Companies’ Chris Ehrenfeld and Jana Ehrenfeld, this modern marvel was designed by architect Abbie Lee Roehm of Paces and Roehm Architecture.
Chatham Best of
*All results listed in alphabetical order
**The presence of five or more winners is the result of a tie
Chiropractor
Carolina Spine Specialists
Chatham Chiropractic Center
Circle City Chiro
Integrative Functional Medicine
Dental Care
Chatham Dental Arts
Chatham Family & Implant Dentistry
Enchanting Smiles Family Dentistry
Paul Mitchum, DDS
Pittsboro Dental Associates
Dermatologist/Skin Care Clinic
Anne Casperson, Central Dermatology Center
Dr. Chris Adigun, Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill
Dr. John Cheesborough, Sanford Dermatology
Dr. Dawn Kleinman, Sanford Dermatology
Financial Advisor/Investment Firm
Edward Jones
Millenium Planning Group
Opus Financial Advisors
Shanklin Wealth Management
Hair Salon
Ash & Kris Hair Company
Amanda Aldridge @ Salon Suites
Edge Aveda Men
Eric Michaels Salon
Hotel or B&B
458 West B&B
The Fearrington House Inn
Rosemary House B&B
Small Cafe B&B
Insurance Agent/Firm
Harris & Company
Jack Dixon, NC Farm Bureau Insurance
Sara Donaldson, State Farm Insurance
Amanda Newton, NC Farm Bureau Insurance
Lawyer/Law Firm
Ben Atwater, Moody, Williams, Atwater & Lee
Ellis Family Law PLLC
Marie Hopper, Hopper Cummings, PLLC
Paul S. Messick Jr., Gunn & Messick PLLC
Nail Salon
1st Nails & Spa
Acacia Nails
501 Nail Spa
Lux Nail.Bar.Spa
New Business
O’Quinn’s Butcher Shop
Hubie’s Express Car Wash
Haw River Animal Hospital
Katty Korner
Nonprofit
Carolina Tiger Rescue
CORA Food Pantry
Second Bloom of Chatham
United Way of Chatham County
Gourmet meals at The Fearrington House Inn, which has 32 individually designed guest rooms, a bar and formal dining room, are just one of the reasons our readers adore this picturesque retreat.
Chatham Best of
Robert Popchak began boxing at Duke Center for Living at Fearrington, named one of the best fitness facilities in Chatham, to help counteract the effects of Parkinson’s disease. “It’s like a family atmosphere at a professional level,” he says of the center.
*All results listed in alphabetical order
**The presence of five or more winners is the result of a tie
Family Medicine
Avance Care South Chapel Hill
North Chatham Pediatrics & Internal Medicine
UNC Primary Care at Chatham
UNC Family Medicine at Pittsboro
Pet Boarding
Companion Camp
Doggie Dude Ranch
Green Beagle Lodge
Tysor Veterinary Clinic
Yoga/Pilates Studio
Chatham YMCA
Duke Center for Living at Fearrington
Ladies’ Fitness Center of Pittsboro
Yoga Garden PBO
Optometrist/Eye Clinic
Dr. Ray Hager, Siler Crossing Vision Center
Dr. Heather O’Mara, Triangle Visions Optometry
Pittsboro Family Eye Center
Dr. Mark Wesoloski, New View Eyecare
Orthodontist
Dr. Jasenna Johnson, Chatham Orthodontics
Dr. Ashley Morgenstern, Morgenstern Orthodontics
Dr. Tammy R. Severt, DDS, PA
Spa
Edge Salon & Wellness
Spa at Bell House
The Spa at Fearrington
Spa Rituals
Sports Club/Fitness Facility
Chatham YMCA
Duke Center for Living at Fearrington
Ladies’ Fitness Center of Pittsboro
Triangle Fitness
Veterinarian
Haw River Animal Hospital
Hill Creek Veterinary Hospital
Hope Crossing Animal Hospital
Pittsboro Animal Hospital
Arts & Entertainment
Art Gallery
Frye Studios
The Kindred Folk Art Gallery at Rosemary House
NC Arts Incubator
Pittsboro Gallery of Arts
Artist’s Studio or Workshop
Clayworx Studios
Kathy Flood, Artist
Hannah Grace Studios
Mark Hewitt Pottery
Dance Studio
7 Dance Centre
Chatham Dance Connection
Joy of Movement
Renner Dance Company
Event Space
Fearrington Village
Forest Hall at Chatham Mills
Havoc Brewing Company
Old Mill Farm
The Plant
Group Outing
Carolina Tiger Rescue
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Old Mill Farm
The Plant
Live Music Venue
Bynum Front Porch
Mosaic at Chatham Park
The Plant
Shakori Hills
Family Outing
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Pack House Farm
The Plant
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
Place to Host a Children’s Birthday Party
Carolina Tiger Rescue
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area
Old Mill Farm
S&T’s Soda Shoppe
Summer Camp
Camp Royall
Carolina Tiger Rescue
Chatham County Parks and Recreation
Clapping Hands Farm
Old Mill Farm cm
"YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY THE MOST PROFESSIONAL AND COMPASSIONATE GROUP I HAVE EVER BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH." - CONNIE S.
“ YOU ALWAYS HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK! SO PROFESSIONAL AND EXACTING BUT SO CARING AND SO FRIENDLY. WE FEEL LIKE YOU ARE FAMILY AS WELL. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.”
- DAVID D.
“THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO LISTEN TO CONCERNS AND EXPLAIN INFORMATION AND FOR BEING SO KIND AND PATIENT WITH MY BABY!” -
ASHLEY A.
“ALWAYS AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE. I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU WORK TIRELESSLY TO MAKE SURE MY PUP GETS THE RIGHT CARE FOR THEIR NEEDS. SPECIAL NEEDS DOGS ARE HARD, AND YOU ALWAYS FIND A PATH.
BUILDING BOLD COMPANIES
Much goes into creating a successful company. It starts with a firm foundation, deep roots, and a vision for the future. For more than 25 years, BOLD Companies has proudly called Chapel Hill and Chatham County home. This community is the foundation that we have built BOLD Companies. One client at a time. One home at a time.
Brick by brick, day by day, client by client, our mission has stayed the same: to boldly build a better community for all. It is this mission that serves as the blueprint for success. Thank you to all of our staff, partners, and clients.
Our humble journey began with helping people realize their dream of owning a home with BOLD Real Estate.
Our knowledge of the area and commitment to local economic development inspired us to help businesses find commercial spaces with BOLD Commercial Real Estate.
On our journey, we have met amazing clients and community partners that we call friends. Together with our BOLD family and friends, we have set out to share our success through our BOLD Foundation.
Our passion for design and attention to detail fostered our love for custom building our clients’ dream homes with BOLD Construction.
Our desire to put our fingerprint on designing our community’s future led to BOLD Development Group.
The living area showcases the home’s layered character. The original flooring, walls and ceilings have all been beautifully preserved, and make the perfect backdrop for the Canonicos’ collections of vintage glassware, books and ephemera.
home & garden
restoration & relaxation
A historical home gets a new lease on life
By MORGAN CARTIER WESTON
by JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
olleen Canonico and Massimo Canonico’s 1890 farmhouse in northern Chatham County is more than just a home – it’s a living testament to their shared passion for history, restoration and each other. The home rests on a sprawling piece of land, and its transformation has been a labor of love for more than six years. Colleen is originally from Pittsboro and grew
Photography
up in an old house. “We weren’t technically looking when we found this one,” she says, “but old farmhouses have always held a special place in my heart.” One day an open house popped up, and as fate would have it, Massimo had the night off work. “I fell in love with this house from the very second we walked in,” Colleen says.
Property records indicate the home was built in the late 1800s, but contractors and artisans the couple have worked with have speculated it may be even older. “It needed a lot of work,” Colleen admits. The couple first tackled the basics: creating a functional bathroom. “That was pretty critical,” Colleen laughs.
The farmhouse, with its four chimneys and six fireplaces, exudes historical charm. Only one fireplace is operational, a gift from Colleen’s father who helped them get it up and running. “It gets pretty cold, you know,
ABOVE The kitchen exudes Old World charm thanks to its lived-in mix of materials and a classic black-and-white color palette.
RIGHT Colleen always dreamed of having goats, and welcomed Tillie, Mae and Juniper in 2021.
Willis Smith, a proud native of North Carolina, has a rich background in law and a deep connection to his home state. Patrick Law, PLLC proudly announces the expansion of their legal services to include a comprehensive DUI, DWI, BUI, and BWI criminal defense practice.
This strategic expansion aims to provide residents of Chatham, Orange, Vance, Johnston, Wake, Durham, Granville, and Franklin Counties with unparalleled legal support and representation in DUI, DWI, BUI, and BWI-related cases.
Willis Smith, Cheri Patrick and Ethan Timmins works closely with their clients and work to protect what matters most.
old houses are kind of known for that,” Colleen says. “We especially appreciate it in the winter months.”
The 2,200-square-foot farmhouse features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, providing ample space for daily living and family visits. The
ABOVE The central hallway doubles as a dining space.
LEFT Massimo pulls a classic Neapolitan pizza from the outdoor brick oven.
MORE WORKING
Residents collaborate with leadership to shape the community.
MORE COMMUNITY
We are committed to inclusivity and diversity so you can grow amongst residents and staff from all walks of life
MORE PLAYING
Art classes, lectures, golf and tennis – find your fun in our healthy, active community
MORE LIVING
Quality of life is paramount, from a home designed your way to a vibrant culture.
The primary
RIGHT The gentle tilt of the home’s floors and doorways is all part of the charm for Colleen and Massimo.
guest bedroom, complete with its own bathroom, was one of the first rooms they prepared for visitors. On the main level, two rooms joined by a Jack-and-Jill bath became the owner’s suite; the former bathroom space became a closet, and the second, smaller bedroom was converted into a spacious bathroom.
Colleen and Massimo brought in professionals for major tasks like tiling and electrical work, but embraced DIY projects wherever possible. Their passion for renewing old things is evident in the careful restoration of the farmhouse’s features. The walls, once dark unpainted pine, have been brightened while retaining their original texture. “We had to take about 27 layers of paint off the original door,” Colleen says.
ABOVE
bathroom, once a small bedroom, has been transformed into a cheerful place to get ready.
The screened back porch was a major selling point for Colleen, and it’s where she and Massimo spend most of their time, enjoying meals and the outdoors. They added ceiling fans to make it more comfortable, and it has become their favorite spot for relaxation. “We eat most of our meals out here,” Colleen says. “Unless it’s freezing cold or 100 degrees, we’re out here – we just like being outside.”
The main guest suite includes a full bathroom and bright textiles. The wooden chest at the foot of the bed once belonged to Colleen’s grandmother.
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ABOVE A large magnolia tree has stood in the backyard for generations. The small shed may have been used for food storage or curing meats.
RIGHT This photo depicts the front of the home as it appeared in 1898. John Andrew Fearrington and his wife, Elizabeth Mebane, were the owners at the time.
BELOW Colleen and Massimo spend most of their time on the screened porch, enjoying meals, watching the goats play and catching up after long days.
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Massimo, originally from a small town near Naples, Italy, also loves the home’s many options for indoor-outdoor living and has infused some of his own cultural background into their lifestyle. He balances his professional life as manager of Il Palio, an Italian restaurant in Chapel Hill, with the joys of maintaining the house and recently installed a wood-fired pizza oven in the backyard so that he can continue one of his favorite cooking traditions. “I enjoy making desserts the most,” he says, “but managing the restaurant keeps me busy.”
ABOVE Vintage photos adorn the walls in the living room, where Massimo and Colleen enjoy a snuggle with pup Millie.
LEFT This view of Colleen's childhood home, which inspired her love of old farmhouses, was captured in watercolor by her grandmother.
The home is filled with a mix of antique furniture finds, thrifted decor and family heirlooms, like a mirror from her parents’ house and a painting by her grandmother, which combine to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. In the bathroom, a bench sourced from Marigold provides a place to rest, and a pair of chests sourced from Sanford Antique Mall serve as upcycled vanities. Colleen
A loveseat in the owner's suite is a perfect perch for cat Luna, and the antique table displays some of Colleen's thrifted treasures.
also frequents Little Boho Valley and Reclamation (both recognized by our readers in this year’s Best of Chatham in the Home Furnishings, Decor and Accessories category) for small furniture pieces, artwork and ephemera. They have also added practical touches, like bringing the washer and dryer up from the basement to make laundry easier, creating storage solutions
The second guest room is layered with soft textures and colors – and of course, plenty of antique finds.
BY THE NUMBERS
throughout the house and providing plenty of pet-friendly areas for their furry friends to enjoy. Their home and yard are shared with three goats, several chickens, six cats, a Chihuahua named Millie and a German shepherd named Nero. “We’ve had Millie for 16 years,” Colleen says.
The couple also enjoys gardening, though sometimes deer get to their plants before they can eat them. “We love tomatoes,” Colleen says, adding that they grow a variety of vegetables and berries.
Outside, they have made significant improvements, including a new roof, rescreening the back porch and repairing the siding. They also updated the front and back doors, which are connected by a central hallway known as a dogtrot. “We replaced the solid wood doors with glass, which made a big difference,” Colleen says. “Since this is the heart of the house, it really brightened the whole interior.”
Living in a historic home requires patience and resilience, and the couple advise anyone considering a similar project to go in with an open
ABOVE The home's front porch welcomes visitors with both the Italian and American flags on display, a nod to Massimo and Colleen's respective homes and their shared culture.
mind and a lot of patience. “It’s always going to cost more money and take twice as long as you think,” Colleen says. Despite the challenges, they find joy in the process. “It’s been hard, but so fun, because we enjoy doing these things together,” Colleen says. She and Massimo plan to remain the stewards of their home for years to come, and their dedication to preserving and enhancing the farmhouse ensures that it remains both a cherished part of their lives and a beautiful piece of Pittsboro’s history. cm
Colleen enjoys a snuggle with Juniper. “Our lives basically revolve around our two loves: food and animals,” she says.
BUILDING dreams
Discover the future of home design at the 2024 Triangle Parade of Homes
Compiled by LEAH BERRY
Home builder Upton & Co. Inc.’s entry at 51 Autumn Gate St. in the Vineyards at Chatham Park in Pittsboro is a 3,896-square-foot, four-bedroom house that offers an expansive, open-concept living and dining room, plus a first-floor owner’s suite with a freestanding tub, a first-floor guest suite, a chef’s kitchen and large walk-in closets throughout the home.
he Home Builders Associations of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties and Raleigh-Wake County are presenting the 2024 Triangle Parade of Homes – a self-guided tour showcasing new home construction with innovative designs, products and technology at various price ranges –on Sept. 28-29, Oct. 4-6 and Oct. 11-13. Tours are open from noon to 5 p.m. each day.
The free event features more than 200 homes throughout Chatham, Orange, Durham and Wake counties, where prospective homebuyers are encouraged to tour the homes in a relaxed and comfortable setting.
“The Triangle Parade of Homes is a great opportunity to check out new home building technology as well as the latest green building techniques,” says HBADOC CEO Holly Fraccaro.
Julie Carrow, director of special events for HBADOC, says that she’s observed several interesting trends this year, with many builders embracing energy-efficient features and open floor plans. Specifically, many of the Chatham homes on parade highlight design elements like zero-entry showers, flex spaces for office or fitness and an intriguing blend of classic and contemporary styles. Expect dark interior and exterior paint colors, an absence of carpets, light oak flooring and a major return of wallpaper. Modern touches extend to lighting and cabinetry, with quartzite countertops and strikingly bold powder bathrooms. Some of Julie’s favorite innovations include laundry rooms that are seamlessly attached to en suite owner’s baths. Join this year’s tour to see it all for yourself and find inspiration in these innovative homes.
Drees Homes’ Corbett Landing entry at 116
Gaines Trail in Pittsboro is 4,171 square feet and features a classic mix of brick and boardand-batten siding on the exterior. Inside, a main-level primary suite and guest suite, a convenient home office and a family room with wood beams and fireplace allow for flexible living. Unique elements include a two-story foyer, a second-level game room and media room, and multiple levels of outdoor living,
including a second-story space off of the game room. “The Ballentine [plan] is one of Drees’ Universal Design plans, which aims to accommodate residents of all needs,” says Jake Hibberd, marketing communications specialist for Drees Homes. “Universal Design plans include, but are not limited to: wider hallways and door openings; a more open concept to promote easy movement throughout the home; and wider access to laundry.”
The Ballentine boasts many “DreeSmart” innovations throughout it, including advanced home wiring, a home automation hub and Wi-Fi engineering to ensure an absence of dead spots, no matter where you are in the home. Jake also notes that the home was built with energy-saving practices in mind, using the latest heating and cooling systems, a smart thermostat and smart lighting to promote both comfort and energy efficiency.
Triple A Homes’ 4,662-square-foot Parade of Homes entry at 49 Clear Springs Ct. in The Estates at Laurel Ridge includes a custom scullery with an oversized wine station, a tiled fireplace surround in the two-story foyer, a master bathroom with a wet area (combining shower and bathtub) and coffered ceilings. “White oak is featured throughout the house, which creates warmth,” says Triple A Homes’ Abby Morse. “We also bring the outside in with a very large triple slider [window].” Abby adds that the home has the potential for future growth with a tremendous amount of unfinished space.
Moncure-based home builder Dunning Custom Homes presents a 4,600-square-foot manse at 35 Ridgeline Ct., also at The Estates at Laurel Ridge, as its entry. “The Avalynn is an ethereal Tudor beauty,” says Marner Dunning, general manager of operations and design at Dunning Custom Homes. Guests are greeted at the entrance with a grand two-story foyer accented by a wall of windows and elegant
arches – a recurring design element featured throughout the home. The house boasts a custom kitchen with an oversized island, an expansive walkthrough scullery, a pocket office, owner’s suites on both the main and upper levels, and an Old World-style bourbon room. Accessibility is covered thanks to a two-stop elevator, and the outdoor living space is enhanced by a walkout covered porch.
The home also includes first- and secondfloor laundry rooms, and custom crown and beamed ceilings. Situated on a large, wooded lot, the home highlights notable building trends like arched doorways, copper accents, hardwood floors with herringbone patterns, brass inlay and more. “This beautiful Tudor home captures the idea of multigenerational living and aging in place,” Marner says. cm
The Life you have always wanted
he Estates at Laurel Ridge boasts 51 estate-sized homesites over 300 acres, ranging from 3.5 to 10 acres each. Wide-open spaces are just one of the unique opportunities offered by this community that provides water, sewer, and natural gas. We are proud to be one of the only developments that offer such spacious lots to include all municipal utilities as well as fiber internet.
Named Laurel Ridge for the large groupings of laurel bushes on the property, this beautiful community backs up to Dry Creek, a rushing stream that connects to Haw River. Approximately half of the homesites in The Estates at Laurel Ridge will benefit from these unforgettable views. Enjoy a peaceful drive through one of two beautiful, mature entrances to the community. Decompress from your day, take in the sights, and be welcomed home to The Estates at Laurel Ridge
Each of our six preferred builders has more than 20+ years of experience building beautiful, luxurious, and thoughtfully designed custom homes from the $1.2 million to $3 million+. Discover spacious floor plans, unique features, and the highest level of craftsmanship with our custom builder team: Cotton Custom Homes, J.P. Swain Company, Dunning Custom Homes, Triple A Homes, Sadler Construction and Poythress Construction Co
Sales and Marketing by Fonville Morisey Barefoot
Updates on developments, real estate and future projects
Compiled by IZABELLA COUNTS
osaic at Chatham Park, a mixed-use community offering a variety of restaurants, retail spots and services, announced the completion of a new Hampton Inn & Suites at 324 Freedom Parkway. Starting Sept. 16, guests at Pittsboro’s first business hotel can book one of the 120 guest rooms and enjoy the outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center and various meeting rooms.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHATHAM PARK
The North Carolina Department of Transportation and NC Carolina Core unveiled a road sign commemorating the upgrade of U.S. Highway 421 into Interstate 685 at an event in May. The sign displays the word “future” above the blue and red I-685 symbol, proudly calling to mind the professional and economic benefits that improved connectivity will bring to Chatham County and beyond.
The Siler City Board of Commissioners voted at its June 17 meeting to sell the former Carter Bank & Trust building in light of new expenses that drastically increased the cost to adapt the building to the town’s needs. When the town purchased the building in March 2023, it intended to adapt it into an office building, but learned that the work would cost more than $600,000.
Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast further delayed construction of its Chatham County manufacturing plant until 2028, risking its access to state-awarded incentive grants. VinFast broke ground on its 1,765-acre site last year, and if the company had created 1,997 new jobs by the end of 2024, it would have received up to $1.25 billion in state benefits. In the event that VinFast does not meet established goals, protections on these incentive packets allow North Carolina to claim some reimbursements and withhold sums. VinFast credits the delay to a prudent expansion plan.
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Wedding and events planner Jen Shaefer, owner of Southern Skies Events, announced plans to build The Skyroom, a 7,000-square-foot venue with large, glass windows located on 10 acres at 247 Callies Haven Way in Moncure, just outside Pittsboro. Jen and her father, Mark Shaefer, purchased the land for about $450,000, and have partnered with builder HMD Construction & Development, architect Hauch Design and landscape designer Preston Montague to bring their vision to life by spring of 2025. The team broke ground on the project June 20.
Hunt Property Investments purchased a 100,000-square-foot warehouse on 8 acres of land at 920 E. Raleigh St. in Siler City in early June. Hunt Property Investments is an LLC tied to Hunt Forest Resources, a renewable resource management company based in Youngsville, North Carolina, and run by Perry Hunt. Hunt has not yet announced plans for the $3.8 million property. cm
RENDERING COURTESY OF THE SKYROOM
andrews & horowitz
By SOFIA ALFARO Photography
James Andrews and Rachel Horowitz celebrated their wedding on June 22, 2024, at the picturesque Forest Hall at Chatham Mills Juniper and Rose Flowers provided elegant arrangements that matched the venue’s historic atmosphere, adding the perfect touch of elegant greenery to the day. The event was orchestrated by Arnisha Gaither Events, with catering provided by 39 West Catering and delightful desserts from Carolina Cravings Co. James’ lapel was adorned by a bee pin from his late grandmother, and Rachel wore
an heirloom bracelet, just two of the many thoughtful touches included during the ceremony. The significance of family is also present in Rachel’s engagement ring, which incorporates stones that belonged to both her and James’ grandmothers; the custom piece was crafted by Rings True Jeweler in Carrboro.
Personality marked the reception, too; instead of traditional table numbers, the couple named tables after places they had hiked together, accompanied by photos of their adventures, and their first dance as husband and wife was to the song “Epic III” from the musical “Hadestown,” creating a memorable and heartfelt moment that reflected the couple’s love for the theater. The night ended with a bubble send-off, the perfect end to a summer celebration. Rachel teaches theater at Seaforth High School and James is an auditor with MetLife. They reside in northern Chatham County. cm
