By Marilyn Jones
Over the course of eight days, I wandered the paths of history. I walked the grounds of James Monroe’s Highland. I explored Jamestown, the battlefields of Yorktown and an 18th century community in Colonial Williamsburg. I visited the homes of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Broken into four manageable segments, I was able…
By Samantha Carson
Jacqueline and Dillon Tucker met while working for a large advertising company in California. Dillon was in the A/V department, while Jacqueline was in the print department. They worked on a few projects together and hit it off. Eventually they married and changed jobs, moving to cities like Denver and Salt Lake City.…
By Eric Medlin
With so many new residents arriving in the Triangle daily, it’s fun to take a step back in time to learn a little history about the five towns we now call home. Even those born and raised here may learn something new about how each town received its moniker.
APEX
Apex, the “Peak City,” is…
Welcome to our annual Faces of Western Wake, a portfolio of inspiring leaders and community influencers who want to personally introduce themselves to you. We can’t begin to share all the stories that deserve to be told, so once a year we invite our key business partners to participate in this special section—and to help you put a face with the…
ABOVE: Matheson Worrell is part of the duo that makes up the winemakers at Dynamis Estate Wines in Jonesville. By Jennifer Primrose As a wine lover who spends countless weekends exploring North Carolina’s wineries, I’ve seen firsthand how the state’s wine scene has evolved. From hidden gems to renowned wineries, the growth is undeniable. North…
By Kristen Schrum
Nestled in the growing culinary landscape of Fuquay-Varina, Khao Sen brings a bold new take on Thai cuisine. Light, airy and bright, this full-service eatery offers customers a unique escape into a tranquil realm brimming with aromatic food and bubbling boba teas.
Khao Sen is the vision of husband-and-wife duo Paul and Sara Puenpa, their…
By Kyle Marie McMahon Imagine a Saturday night under the lights in a packed Carter-Finley Stadium. N.C. State has just kicked off, and the crowd is energized, their frenzied cheers filled with anticipation. But their roars quickly turn to boos as a man rushes onto the field to retrieve the tee. Not because of the man himself—he’s…
Dogs at TapStation in Apex can enjoy both patio and garden seating, but should avoid alcohol. Photo courtesy of TapStation.
APEX By Paige Hachet Jacob Summertime means outdoor dining options are plentiful in Apex, which makes it easier to bring along a favorite furry friend for extra company. Whether out for a casual drink with friends…
ABOVE: Chamber & Chill is a gathering for professionals to network and unwind. APEX By Dave Droschak As executive director of the Apex Chamber of Commerce, David Bohm realizes formal networking events and ribbon cuttings don’t move the organization toward being part of a deeper, connected community. “We did a survey this past summer [to find]…
2025 Market Leaders Special Section
Check out more stories from around Western Wake here.
2025 Home & Garden Special Section
Discover new homes, building opportunities, design professionals and landscape resources.
Check out more stories from around Western Wake here.
Burning Coal Theatre's KidsWrite program brings young people's work to the stage
By Elizabeth Brignac
Playwrights may persevere for years before they have the chance to see a theater company perform their work. The challenge of finding professionals who are ready to bring a new writer’s play to the stage is no joke. So when each year,…
By KYLE MCMAHON
When my youngest child was diagnosed as autistic at the age of three—during the isolating days of the COVID-19 pandemic—it was easy to feel overwhelmed. It still can be. As a sports-loving family, we hoped he could participate in the games he was so excited about, but traditional team sports were not a…
By KURT DUSTERBURG
For nearly two decades, Abena Antwi has developed skin care products for Burt’s Bees. As a chemist, she formulates products such as lip balms, facial creams and shampoos. “It’s like you’re cooking in a kitchen,” she says. “It’s like a chef. You have to know the ingredients, combine them and come out with…
The NC Ale Trail by Rail blends train travel and regional craft beer exploration
By JENNIFER PRIMROSE
North Carolina’s craft beer scene has gotten a unique twist with the launch of the NC Ale Trail by Rail, a collaborative effort between the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild and NC By Train. The initiative invites beer enthusiasts to explore the state’s…
COMMUNITY GARDENING IN APEX
By Paige Hachet Jacobs
As Anne Harrison, garden manager of Simple Gifts Community Garden, sees it, this community garden in Apex encourages “the idea that what we have in common is more important than the things that divide us.” What better way to bring people together than feeding hungry people and promoting sustainable…
Ed Carey of Peak City Farms. Photo by Dave Droschak.
Peak City Farms
By Dave Droschak
The overwhelming demand for residential development in Apex has led to the disappearance of numerous generational farms over the past decade.
Perhaps no corridor has been affected more than a 3-mile stretch of Olive Chapel Road. But one farm—the aptly named Peak City…
HISTORIC GEMS OF APEX
By Sarah Merritt Ryan
As you stroll north past shops and restaurants on Salem Street in the Apex Historic District, you will come across The Depot, the original hub of the settlement that became incorporated as Apex on February 28, 1873. Across the street from The Depot and to your left stands the…
By Mario Boucher Did you make a goal to exercise more in 2025? Many people who want to motivate themselves to exercise sign up to participate in 5K runs. Taking an average of 30-40 minutes to complete, a 5K is not as intense as a marathon or half-marathon, but it is long enough to be…
BY KATELYN RUTT
From circus rings and bungee cords to fandom-inspired classes, these Wake County organizations are redefining what it means to work out. Here’s our guide to discovering your new favorite way to break a sweat—no gym necessary!
Aerial Acrobatics at Pura Vida Studio
Ever dreamed of flying? At Pura Vida Studio, you can get closer to…
