News
More Shops and Things To Do In Downtown Apex
Posted: October 4, 2011
Hanging Out in Downtown Apex
One of the best parts of Downtown Apex is that it is an easy area to stroll, there’s lots of sidewalks with benches, and there’s tons of free parking! We have many folks who contact us at The Villages of Apex, simply because they love hanging out downtown, and we have new homes that are just steps away from all of the activity!
Of course there are events every month at the Halle Cultural Arts Center. We are pleased that the Raleigh Little Theatre is starting to do Improve Workshops there!
Studio 123, The Red Canvas (Catherine C. Martin) and Apex Gallery are all just waiting for you to come find beautiful art for your new home. The Apex Gallery also does a great job with custom frames! It’s really nice that they highlight and support local artist who live nearby in Apex and Cary. One of my favorites is Susan Hect, one of the owners of Studio 123. She offers painting lessons, and I’ve heard from friends that she’s a FABULOUS teacher, not just an EXTREMELY talented artist!
Above Common Grounds, you should also stop by Make It Your Own Boutique, where Owner Julie Majkowski makes One Of A Kind Handbags, Purses, scarves, etc. in her studio. They also offer Individual Sewing Lessons (wouldn’t that be a fun Mother Son AND Daughter adventure?), and use recycled and Vintage items to embellish hats, scarves and more. These are especially great bags for hard to please teenagers, looking for one of a kind pieces!
You will also find classes at DownTown Knits a UBER Cool Yarn and Knitting Store next to Flaunt. On Friday nights you can find dozens of people sitting in the back of the store learning to knit, drinking coffee – it’s a fun place to hang out, and they have beautiful materials you can’t find at one of those big box craft stores.
There’s a used book store in Downtown Apex that gives back to the Community a couple of times a year with special Teacher Appreciation Events! All Booked Up sells used books and more. It’s easy to consign to them, they have a great selection of Children’s books, and they hold readings on Weds. morning for little ones.
Looking for that perfect Baby Shower gift – OR, do you and your new dad need some Diaper Changing Classes? The Green Pea Baby is the place to be! This store is designed by parents, for parents, and offers all of the support a new family needs! It’s very cool on a Friday night to see parents in the Store laughing and doing Diaper and Pod Classes – then going out with their new friends for dinner at one of the great restaurants on Salem Street!
Other fun places to hang out, stroll, and shop include Antiques on Salem Street and the Rusty Bucket. Both of these places have great deals and unusual finds all year long – but I especially like to stop by near Christmas to find that perfect gift for someone on the list at a really great price.
Tirza’s Hand Made Gifts and and Wine Bar is new to the downtown scene – but it’s the perfect place to stop by after work, or when you’ve been shopping at some of the cute boutique with Girlfriends! Tirza’s has wine tastings, and music on many weekends. They carry Artisan Glass ware, and update it for the season. Right now they are highlighting Peacock, Conifer and Fall Leaf Patterns. It is another great place to get a Holiday gift, or a Housewarming gift! You can sip wine, check out a beautiful Pheasant and Peacock Wreaths or browse through hand cast monogram jewelry! Like many of the businesses in downtown Apex, you can keep up with what’s going on at the shop by connecting with them on Facebook!
Downtown Apex has plenty of Free Parking! If you love hanging out Downtown, check out Villages of Apex, we’re just a few steps away, with new homes in Apex, custom built – lots of Ranches and one level living available!
Boutiques in Downtown Apex
Posted: October 3, 2011
There Are Lots of Shops in Downtown Apex.
Unlike other shopping spots you might find in Apex, like Beaver Creek (for instance) Downtown Apex is packed full of LOCAL, small businesses. Because of that, you’ll find lots of places with one of a kind offerings, and friendly owners who will be on the look out for that special item you want! It’s a fun place to hang out, get a bite to eat, or take a class and learn to paint or knit!
In addition to that, Downtown Apex also has a wonderful Cultural Arts Center, and seasonal Events going on all the time! One of the best parts of Downtown Apex is that the banners and flags get updated for the season, the shop owners add to the charming landscape, and there’s lots of places to sit on a bench or at a sidewalk cafe – it’s a place to relax while you shop!
Shops With Items For Your Home
Several stores have opened just in the last year on Salem Street. One of these was Lilly’s, carrying home decor and garden accents. This is the perfect spot to come pick up a house warming gifts, many unique items are less than $10. The interior bursts with flowers and accessories and smells wonderful. “I’m very proud for Lilly’s to be among the charming, eclectic merchants of Apex,” says owner Cathy East. “Great restaurants, boutiques, and salons were already a part of the downtown Apex scene. Lilly’s is just what was needed to complete the package.”
Another new shop is Aria Gifts. The owner, Gia Miele, relocated it from Pittsboro. The store carries some jewelry, fun seasonal items (their Halloween cards are precious) and it’s great to see that she seeks out local artists, designers too. They have a fun community online via Facebook. Not only can you find out what’s going on – you can get 25% off for being a friend on Facebook! Lots of organic, one of a kind items here that would also make great house warming gifts (something we are always on the look out for!)
Clothing Boutiques
In the last several years the shopping offerings have exploded downtown. The most recent addition is Flaunt that opened in April. There’s normally upbeat music playing, and friends in the store with owner Jessica Lamarre. In addition to the artsy clothes that work for her friends and teenage daughter, she also sells body lotions and yummy smelling candles! Jessica says she wanted to offer women something a little different – and she does that, because Flaunt is Waaay more than just a clothing store!
Looking in the window of Flaunt, a women’s clothing boutique that opened in April, you’ll see lots of Bling! Jessica has a great flair, and she updates the items in the store weekly (sometimes more!) - it’s a genuinely fun place to hangout and try on clothes! You can also connect with them on Twitter. During Triangle Fashion Week in September, they held a Housewives of The Triangle Party! In addition to International Designers, she’s also connected with some local fashion designers to present one of a kind looks!
Fedora is across the street, You may remember it as a store that use to be in the Preston Area of Cary. They stock cute dresses, skirts and clothing that can be appropriate for a teen or a mom . Most clothing is washable and priced under $100. You’ll find great earrings here, and matching necklaces, it’s a fun place to get a birthday present for a Girlfriend.
There’s a very stylish new Men’s store - Charles Ryan & Co (next to Flaunt). These dapper guys have great bow ties – but they also do there custom clothes using a 3D Scanner! “We take your measurements using the scanner as it scans the whole body in 30 seconds and rapidly produces a true-to-scale 3D body model,” says their owner. “We create clothes that can last Generations!”
OP Lauren is another women’s clothing store, slightly higher in price and it prides itself on being trendy. They offer pretty regular Sip N Shop Thursday’s from 6-9 p.m. with Flaunt and Nativa. They offer special discounts, and Libations during these Thursday night events, and it’s a fun way to spend time with Girlfriends! As with most of the stores in Down Town Apex, I love that the floors creek, just a little, and you really get the charm and feel of years gone by!
Nativa has been on Salem Street for about five years. The owners live in Apex and have a second store in the North Hills shopping center. There are normally some great sale items in the very back of the store. Prices here are also reasonable and we’ve found several cute dresses for our teenage daughter here.
The last time I went to meet some friends for lunch at Anna’s Pizzeria, I parked in front of this house. After lunch, I couldn’t resist going inside!
Across from the Baptist Church, just behind Savory’s is My Girlfriend’s Closet. The only Apex consignment shop (that I know of) in an cute house with a huge front porch on Chatham Street. I love the way it’s arranged, with each room having a different style of clothes. Owner Lois Cozart opened her shop six years ago and she told me that she has many loyal customer who both consign and shop. They have everything from Shoes to Earrings to Gloves in the Winter. I suggest making an appointment if you have some things to drop off.
Downtown Apex is not just for designer jeans! In the Tobacco Road Outdoors Store you’ll find all kinds of active outdoor gear from the best known names like Patagonia, Columbia and Northface. You can get running gear, basketball, hiking – just about any sporting gear you might need!
There’s lots of Free Parking downtown too! If you like Downtown Apex, you’ll LOVE Villages of Apex, new homes in Apex, custom built, just steps away from some of your favorite hangouts!
View Downtown Apex in a larger map
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!
Great Food in Downtown Apex October 2011
Posted: October 1, 2011
Restaurants in Downtown Apex
Salem Street, in downtown Apex is packed with cool places to eat and hang out. Most Friday and Saturday nights you’ll find dozens of people mingling on the streets, browsing the local boutiques, and picking their favorite spots for dinner. Great food, just steps away from The Villages of Apex!
Salem Street Pub serves a great lunch in wooden booths. One side of the establishment is a full service bar with stools and mixed drinks. The other side is tables and booths set for casual dining. At night and on the weekends it feels more like a Sports bar. They have an Awesome beer selection from local breweries, and it’s a great place to hang out and enjoy the game . On the menu are salads, burgers (which I highly recommend – YUM!), sandwiches and their Spicy Buffalo wings, all well priced. Occasionally you can find a Groupon Coupon for Salem Street Pub.
New to Salem Street is Majestic Cafe. They are a deli sandwich type place that has gotten mixed reviews on Yelp. It’s an easy place to take kids. I love the Carolina burger (which is made the way everybody in North Carolina USE to serve burgers), with slaw and homemade chili. They are owned by the same folks that opened Peak City Grill, and I suspect they will work out any kinks.
One of my favorite hangouts is Peak City Grill which features an outdoor patio. There’s also a beautiful antique bar and there’s seating upstairs as well. We like the seats by the window, where we can people watch! Some of the original massive wooden beams and copper inlaid ceiling remains. While Peak City bills itself as a steak house, but I think the non-steak choices are fantastic as well.
Peak City features acoustic music on a pretty regular basis, and you can hear it from just about any seat in the restaurant. Prices range from $11 for a gourmet burger to $28 for Angus Center Cut Filet. Occasionally you can find a Twongo Coupon for Peak City Grill.
Two other casual dining options include Rancherita for Mexican fair and Anna’s Pizza. Both of these establishments are long time favorites in downtown Apex and have well earned reputations for satisfaction. Large booths to sit in and menu pricing that’s friendly to the family wallet. Anna’s menu is full of garlic and yummy Italian food, some of my favorites are the calzones and the panini’s. Both places offer a take out, gotta love being able to grab a great pizza for the family on your way home.
Down the street is the Southern Belle and a Yankee Tea Shop. In July the shop was purchased from the former owners of the Pineapple Tea Room. The new owners, Angie and Kim, have it open everyday for tea and gift shopping but also take reservations for parties. They serve an assortment of teas and scones and even have fun hats and gloves which children like to try on. I feel sure that Mother’s and Daughters enjoy playing dress up and having “High Tea.”
At Savory try one of their meringues. A bargain at 75 cents!
Sweet Tooth
After all that great eating, you might have room for dessert and there are 2 musts: The Ice Cream Shop, which has been in downtown for as long as I can remember (over 13 years) and new on the scene is Yummy Yogurt. Unlike many of the recent additions to our area in the frozen yogurt trade, this place is locally owned and operated and not part of any franchise. They also don’t follow the “by-the-ounce” pricing that has become so popular (and expensive!). On Friday and Saturday nights, you can often find local high school “garage” bands playing here! It has a wonderful bench out front that allows 4 or 5 kids to rock, and when the band is playing you will usually find more than a dozen people gathered outside to listen.
Across from the Baptist Church is Savory. A cute bakery with a few tables inside, and some very delicious sweets! It’s a great place to order Birthday Cakes from. For something sweet and light, try a meringue, and they are only 75 cents!
Looking for a great Coffee Shop? Try Common Grounds where they serve up fabulous coffee drinks, smoothies, teas and home baked goods. Some evenings there is also live acoustic music. On Tuesday mornings, a group of business people meet here to exchange leads, and network.
Lots of Free Parking – but of course, if you lived in a new home at the Villages of Apex you could just walk, or ride your bike!
View Downtown Apex in a larger map
2011 Parade of Homes Comes To Villages of Apex
Posted: September 30, 2011
This weekend marks the beginning of the 46th Parade of Homes for the Wake County Home Builder’s Association! The Villages of Apex is excited about our beautiful Entries from Halle Building Group and HH Hunt Homes!
The more than 200 Parade Houses were judged this week, based on criteria such as quality workmanship, floor plan and curb appeal. Winners of the gold, silver and bronze are announced on Wednesday, Oct. 13 following an awards gala on Tuesday night. Special design features are also highlighted in Parade Homes.
The Halle Building Group New Home Entry, Lot 92 has a dramatic entry foyer and a very open floor plan. The HH Hunt Homes entry, the Garrett, is located at 1031 Ambergate Station and is listed at $350,000.
Important dates for the 2011 Parade Of Homes!
The Wake County Parade of Homes will be October 1-2, 7-9, & 14-16, 2011. All houses on tour will be open 12-5pm.
Looking for a New Home in Apex? Check out the Villages of Apex near Historic Downtown Apex. We are a new home development near Raleigh NC.
Lot # 265 Villages of Apex New Homes
Posted: September 28, 2011
NOW is the time to get this new home in Apex, because while it is under construction, the builder is offering $8000 towards upgrades! You can make this home yours from the start, as this is a pre-sale opportunity in The Villages of Apex.
Build time including permit process is approximately 4.5 months, so if you are looking for a home to move into at the beginning of the year…this is the one! You’ll love living in a custom new home in Apex, just moments from downtown.
The Bradshaw plan by HHHunt Builders is expandable if you need more rooms. This design offers 4 bedrooms (including the Master) and a loft on the second floor. With the current design, the home has 2406 square feet and is listed at $245,900. The home is being marketed by Fonville Morisey Barefoot (919) 290-8038
Lot # 98 Villages of Apex
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The Pendleton – Our newest of three ranch style plans available now. One Story Living in Apex, NC! Walk to all of the Amenities at Villages of Apex and Check out the lake and sidewalks on both sides of the streets!
This home is very open and inviting. The kitchen has Enjoy Cherry glazed cabinets and a L-shaped center island. Stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and more. You’ll enjoy the custom features including heavy trim, cabinetry and shelving. Great room with built in cabinets! Owners Suite Bath has great counter space double vanities, Moen (r) faucets tiled shower with separate tub! A second floor bonus room and extra walk-in storage space. This new home in Apex also has a huge Screened porch and great Patio Area! Sound system is already built in.
Walk to Lake, private school parks and historic Downtown Apex! This Custom Home was built by Halle Building Group and is marketed by Rex Osborne with Coldwell Banker Advantage 919-880-7516. The 2,675 Square foot home is listed at $359,300.
Lot# 111 The Villages of Apex New Homes
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RANCH, ONE LEVEL LIVING, new home in a great urban setting near Raleigh and Cary. This home has a wonderful relaxed open floor plan. The light and incredibly open kitchen shows off the Granite bar with ample seating for 6! There’s also a stainless steel gas range and microwave. This large family room has a beautiful light finished 5 ” hardwood flooring.
The only room on second floor provides a versatility of a bedroom, rec room, hobby room or office. Unfinished walk in storage area is also found here! Another huge plus is the fireplace OUTSIDE on the deck!
From 1007 Ambergate Station, you can walk to downtown Apex in minutes. Easy access to Hwy 64 & Apex Peakway. The Villages of Apex community offers a 4700 square foot clubhouse with a 6 lane competition pool and a complete fitness center.
Ask about OWNER FINANCE OPTIONS. Future development in this Apex, NC new home community will include commercial/business areas, grocery stores, shops, and offices within walking distance. This new home was Custom built by Destination Homes, and is marketed by Rex Osborne with Coldwell Banker Advantage 919-880-7516. This home is listed at $319,100
Lot # 113 Villages of Apex New Home
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1030 Ambergate Station is the address of a great new custom home built by Halle Building Group in The Villages of Apex. This home is being sold fully furnished! Just bring toothbrush and move in!
Because the 2 car garage is now finished as a sales center, this new home in Apex is loaded with features far exceeding the normal new home. Some of the upgrades included in the price are: Double crown moldings, wainscoting, chair-rail, trey ceiling in dining and master suite.
The kitchen has Stainless steel appliances including a refrigerator, gas range, dishwasher, and microwave. There are also beautiful upgraded cabinets and hardware. Site-finished hardwoods will amaze you! You’ll love living in a home near downtown Apex, there’s so much to do! Watch the Virtual Tour! This 3,047 square foot home is listed for $377,900 and this Halle Building Group home is being marketed by Rex Osborne with Coldwell Banker Advantage 919-880-7516.
Lot # 23 Villages of Apex New Home
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New home for sale in Apex at an unbelievable price! This 4 bedroom Patio home has a first floor Master. It also offers a rare (for our area) basement which you can finish to your liking!
This custom new home in Villages of Apex also has a bonus room, a screened in porch AND 2 car garage! You’ll love living just steps away from Historic Downtown Apex and the Apex Community Center. There are new parks being put in nearby.
For more information on this home, or the Villages of Apex, call 919-880-7516. This home has 2,008 square feet finished and 1,000 square feet unfinished. It is listed for $249,000.
