Features

Small Business Spotlight: Track Record Vinyl Shop and Listening Lounge

“You have to check out the bathroom.”

That may not be a typical way that small-business owners greet their clients, but in this case it’s warranted.

The bathroom at Track Record Vinyl Shop and Listening Lounge is bold and fun with dark tile walls, bright neon signs, themed artwork, and a glittering disco ball. The... Read More

From Tail to Tale

Like many overzealous dog moms, Dana Tozzi dresses her toy poodle Enzo in seasonally appropriate bow ties, sweaters, and pajamas, but there was a time when Dana thought she would never own a dog.

“I have terrible allergies,” Dana says. “My entire life, up until the last few years, I couldn’t be around dogs.” That... Read More

Perfect Summer Pairs

For Kids: Storytime and Snow Cones

Books come to life at read-aloud storytimes, which introduce new characters and adventures in a fun social setting for children and families. Held frequently at both Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina Community Libraries, and every Saturday at Fable Books & Café, storytime sessions often include music and movement to stimulate... Read More

Made for Shade

“It’s amazing to think that the Shibumi Shade has changed beach culture, changed the way families go to the beach. … We never dreamed that Shibumis would become so popular.”

That’s Dane Barnes, who, together with his brother, Scott, and their best friend, Alex Slater, founded Raleigh-based Shibumi Shade 10 years ago. Since the wind-powered... Read More

Food & Dining

Recipes from Readers: Chicken Pot Pie with Veggies

An easy and delicious recipe. Add or remove veggies however you want. You can also use this recipe to make homemade chicken soup. Just cut up the veggies, shred the chicken, and cook it in chicken broth.

6 carrots, chopped 6 stalks celery, chopped 1 cup peas, fresh or frozen 1 cup green beans, fresh... Read More

Bold Beginnings

Entrées steal the spotlight, but the real action happens at the beginning of the meal.

Across Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs, restaurant chefs are treating appetizers less like an afterthought and more like a statement: small plates that are ambitious, unexpected, and confident enough to upstage whatever comes next.

We found five local spots that prove... Read More

Now & Next

See & Do: July to August 2026

First Friday in Downtown Fuquay July 3, Aug. 7 & Sept. 4, 5–9 P.M. Fuquay-Varina downtown districts

Live music, local shopping, and vibrant community activities entice residents to a fun-filled evening on the first Friday of every month, organized by the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association. Discover special deals, enjoy delicious food, and experience a lively arts... Read More

Goats Gone Wild

In the summer of 2024, we introduced readers to the local “Goats Gone Viral” from Smith Farm Goat Sanctuary, a family farm that reached TikTok fame thanks to a very pregnant goat named Bev.

Since then, the farm has started opening its gates to the community via events ranging from movie nights and... Read More

Life & Style

Meet & Greet: Tina Barnard

“I just continue to find my way back to bartending,” says Tina Barnard. It’s a thread that connects her life starting with college in Arizona, a move to San Diego, cross-country road tripping in an RV, and ultimately settling in Fuquay-Varina.

“One thing I love most about bartending is the connection it brings,” Tina says.... Read More

Travel

Escape to Edenton

“Edenton’s waking up,” says Inner Banks Inn proprietor Susan Martin Cyr about the scenic town tucked into the Albermarle Sound and surrounded by water on three sides in the state’s northeastern region. While it has long been considered a historical gem, Edenton has also been what Susan “would call a sleeper.” But now, she says,... Read More

Mountain Air

Vibrant towns, mountain landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and outdoor exploration — you can find it all in the North Carolina High Country. Destinations such as Asheville, Boone, and Blowing Rock often headline a visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains, but there’s a quieter alternative overflowing with small-town charm that deserves a place in the spotlight.

The... Read More