News

Historic Downtown Apex

Posted: October 2, 2011

Less than a mile from The Villages of Apex you will find Historic Downtown Apex.  Many of the residents here tell us they choose their new home in Apex because it’s so convenient and pleasant to walk downtown!  Here’s an updated view of this continually growing area as of October 2011.

Walking down Salem Street in Apex is like traveling back in time.  It’s wonderful to have sidewalks on both sides of the street, in addition to the many benches and cafe seating.  It’s a place to stroll, to browse, to hang out for a while and relax.  The flags and banners down the street reflect the seasons, and the shop owners also have plants and colorful planters that add to the charming landscape.

The main shopping is all in one short block which extends from Chatham on one end and up to Center Street at the other. Most buildings are original and date back to the turn of the century. All have been colorfully painted for an eclectic mix. The Old Union Depot, built in 1914, still stands as a an enduring symbol of the town’s heritage.

Two additional buildings up the road, The Salem Street Promenade and the Tobacco Mule Exchange have interior hallways with more stores inside. A gas station has recently been converted to a farmer’s market and garden center.  The Halle Cultural Arts Center of Apex is located at 237 North Salem Street. It currently has 3 galleries, 1 studio classroom, and a 135 seat theatre.  Of course this was donated by The Villages of Apex Developer and Builder Warren C. Halle . There are many events going on at the Cultural Arts Center, and they are always looking for volunteers!

The Promenade and the Tobacco Mule Exchange are more recent additions to the Apex retail scene.  There a cool outdoor clothing shop in addition to a boutique with home accessories and a great coffee shop located here.

We recently did a review of our favorite places to eat in Apex.  Through out the month we’ll be highlighting Boutiques, Places to Eat,  , Galleries and places to take classes in Downtown Apex.  If you have favorite spots in Downtown Apex, let us know!

The Downtown Apex Association does a great job of drawing people to this area with regular events, and there’s plenty of free parking… in case you aren’t lucky enough to be able to just stroll over from The Villages of Apex!