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December 2023 News & Updates |
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Embracing the #ShopSmall Spirit Year-Around |
#SmallBusinessSaturday is behind us, yet we embrace the many reasons to shop small throughout the holidays and beyond. Our shops, galleries, and boutiques offer many handcrafted and distinctly Chatham items that provide mementos of your trip and a draw to visit our area again. We love the fun and functional souvenirs and gifts available for a variety of occasions. Consider a Chatham basket, curated by you or one of our shopkeepers, bridal party gifts, or a housewarming or realtor gift to welcome you home. We encourage you to keep a look out for our complete #ShopSmall holiday gift guide on Discover Chatham (coming soon). |
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Follow us on social media for more quick bites. |
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Openings, Offerings, & Updates |
For 19 years, The Rusty Bucket was a downtown Apex icon, known for its country home furnishings, custom farm tables, and friendly customer service. Now, after much consideration, owners and Chatham County residents Pam and Mack Thorpe have decided to pack up and bring the business home to Pittsboro. We're excited to welcome them and add another unique offering to the growing list of shopping experiences in downtown Pittsboro and throughout our area. The new space is officially open and decked out for the holidays. Visit them just off US-64 BUS at 630 East Street in Chatham Commons (located in the former home of San Felipe). Learn more about their recent move.
The West End Kitchen & Catering is officially open! Dine for breakfast, lunch, and brunch; pick up a grab-and-go breakfast sandwich or burrito; and order for delivery at Havoc Brewing Company. They also offer catering, private holiday dining, and a market featuring local products like Celebrity Dairy and Cackalacky. Other businesses offering catering, holiday meals, and takeaway services include Fearrington House Restaurant, The Sycamore at Chatham Mills, The Travelling Cafe, O'Ya Cantina, Cowboy Cafe & Catering, and Cafe Root Cellar.
The lower level of The Belted Goat in Fearrington Village now serves beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks Wed-Sat, 5pm-8pm. Visit with friends, enjoy time after shopping at Dovecote Home and Garden, Nest, and Sprout and McIntyre's Books, or have a pre-dinner experience. A new season brings new dishes to Fearrington House Restaurant: poached halibut, pork belly, beef tartare, fig and rosemary tart, and more.
Pittsboro vintage shops hosted their first holiday sip and shop Thu, Nov 9. Participating shops and vendors included Finders and Keepers Emporium, Little Boho Valley, Marigold, Oakmoss Apothetique, Reclamation, Screaming for Vintage, Shimmer, and Studio 17. See these spaces decorated for the holidays and shop for vintage decor and home furnishings, upcycled goods and apparel, records, art, and more. See our events calendar for more holiday shopping events and markets throughout Chatham County.
More openings, offerings, and updates in our area:
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Harper's Crossing Restaurant is now open in the former home of Bear Creek's Harper's Cafe.
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People's Coffee opens in MOSAIC at Chatham Park Mon, Dec 4.
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Chatham Outfitters (formerly New Horizons West) officially launched their new name with a celebration featuring raffles, giveaways, and BBQ, alongside neighbors Thirsty Skull Brewing - Pittsboro and Phoenix Bakery. Stay tuned for more shopping events and pop-up markets available throughout our area during the holiday season.
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Fair Game Beverage Company now offers private individual and group whiskey tastings. The experience includes four small-batch whiskeys to mix and match. Also, try their seasonal cocktails and build-your-own charcuterie boards.
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The team behind Postal Fish Company is bringing their talents to The Plant in early 2024 with JDubs Po'Boys - more information coming soon. For now, you can taste their signature Po'Boys select days at Postal.
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Construction is wrapping up on Hops & Berry's Pittsboro taproom, which will feature self-serve beer and a wine wall. We're looking forward to the grand opening - stay tuned for the announcement date.
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Several of our craft breweries have released new beers. Check out Havoc Brewing Company's hot pepper IPA ("Fire in the Hole") and Thirsty Skull Brewing's variant of "Maggie's Hellcat Winter Warmer" brewed with cinnamon, vanilla, and cocoa nibs. bmc brewing brought back a favorite - the "Black as My Heart" Indian Black Ale. Look out for Red Moose Brewing Company's collaboration with Wild Dogs Brewing Company - a Chocolate Raspberry Stout - available in both breweries the week before Christmas.
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Vino!! Wine Shop will soon announce the opening of their new downstairs location (in the former home of The Woodwright's School).
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The Travelling Cafe seeks local venues and Airbnb homes to serve guests for culinary experiences and classes.
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Handcrafted 919 Food Truck, based out of Bennett and Bear Creek, has made the difficult decision to close its doors until further notice, taking time to focus on family.
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Seasonal treats are available at Creative Creamery, S&T's Soda Shoppe, Carolina Cravings Co, The Sweet Fix Too, Willy's Cinnamon Rolls, and Phoenix Bakery.
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Shop new arrivals in-person and online (for select stores) at Faithfully Fruitful, Oh To Be, The Grainery & Co, New Horizons Downtown, Deep River Mercantile, and Southern Threads.
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Virlie's Grill, Fair Game Beverage Company, Lowes Foods, Cafe Root Cellar, Hardware General True Value, Carolina Brewery & Grill, The Sycamore at Chatham Mills, and For Garden's Sake are all hiring.
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Please note many of our visitor businesses have adjusted their hours for fall and winter - check with them for current hours of operation. |
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Hilton was recognized with several awards recently. Fortune Magazine and Great Place to Work named them the world's best workplace - marking the first time a hospitality company has achieved this honor. The Points Guys also awarded them Best Hotel Co-Branded Credit Card. These are just a few more reasons why we can't wait to welcome Hampton by Hilton and the Hampton Inn & Suites - Pittsboro to Chatham County in 2024.
Starrlight Mead adds to their long list of award-winning honey wines. The meadery brought home Double Gold for their Gallberry Traditional and Silver for their Cloer Pyment in the 2023 American Wine Society Competition.
Congratulations to Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge for winning the 2023 Outstanding Farmed Animal Sanctuary of the Year, awarded by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). The organization also had a chance to share its innovative Animal-Centered Design approach. They just hosted their last tour and explore event for 2023, but you can continue to support the refuge through donations, volunteering, and checking out their new merch, including calendars for the coming year.
Our State Magazine hosted its "Meet The Maker: Farm-to-Table Dinner" at the Fearrington House Inn this past September. The event featured four of North Carolina's most prestigious chefs, including Fearrington House Restaurant's Chef Paul Gagne. Their head bartender, Cassidy Bright, was awarded this year's Relais & Châteaux Cocktail Trophy for her gin-based creation, "The Late Bloomer".
Congratulations to Red Moose Brewing Company for being recognized as a finalist in the 2023 WRAL Voters' Choice Awards in the "Brewery" category. Results will be announced in Jan 2024. In other awards news, there's still time to vote in NC Tripping's "Best of North Carolina" contest for Fearrington House Inn and Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Voting ends Sun, Dec 10.
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The December 2023 Issue of Our State Magazine featured several of Chatham County's shops, eateries, and experiences in "A Local's Guide to Downtown Pittsboro". The Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau worked on this piece with Our State and we are excited to finally share it. A few visitor businesses included in the guide were Lucky Bar Farm Bed and Breakfast, Silk Hope Farm Heritage Park, Circle City Books & Music, French Connections, M2 Graphics, Pittsboro Toys, and Willy's Cinnamon Rolls. Bear Creek's own Southern Supreme Fruitcake graced the cover.
Renowned Pittsboro potter Mark Hewitt recently participated in a friendly competition with Ben Owens at the Umstead Hotel & Spa. The event supported the North Carolina Pottery Center. Mark Hewitt also spoke with Southern Foodways Alliance on their podcast episode "Gravy: North Carolina Pottery from Clay to Kiln." His Winter Kiln Opening is underway - the remaining dates are Sat, Dec 2; Sun, Dec 3; Sat, Dec 9; and Sun, Dec 10.
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