by Peyton Masilun | Jun 3, 2025 | Do, June 2025
From riveting reads to retro finds, these five Triangle gems serve up groovy good vibes.
Monroe Boutique | Apex
Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Monroe (!). Impossibly chic, this Apex boutique is giving serious West Coast energy with its sun-soaked Sofia Richie Grainge-meets-Southern Charm style rooted in luxury and simplicity. Owner and stylist Tiffany Weaver dreamed up the airy, minimalist fashion-forward escape after a soul-refreshing trip down the California coast—and now she’s dressing the Triangle one elevated essential at a time. Be *that girl* via selects like linen layers, quality denim and polished pieces from cult-fave brands like Citizens of Humanity, Agolde and Clare V. Time for a closet cleanout! monroe.boutique
Shinmai Shokudō | Cary
This women-owned Japanese eatery is truly a labor of love—and a love letter to the three female owners’ passion for traditional and creative cuisine. Its name representing a place for people to gather over comforting dishes, the hot spot serves up steaming bowls of silky tonkotsu ramen, soul-warming carbonara udon and savory okonomiyaki (Japanese-style pancakes)—plus izakaya-style light bites like seaweed salad, wasabi fries, and gobo (or burdock root) chips. The food is made all the more soul-soothing in the clean, modern aesthetic, inviting diners to slow down, slurp up and savor. P.S. Soon you won’t have to travel so far to get your slurp on, as a second sup spot at Raleigh’s Quail Corners is on deck soon! shinmaius.co
EverLou Coffee Co. | Durham
Hold the dairy, keep the delicious via the oat milk-based coffee shop bringing the buzz to Bull City. More than just a caffeine fix, the intimate java haven is a warm and welcoming hub for connection, creativity and seriously good sips (think Fruity Pebbles- and Cinnamon Toast Crunch-inspired lattes). With coffee sourced from Pure Intentions in Charlotte, treats from local bakeries like Little Barb’s Bakery and Lutra Cafe & Bakery, and a come-as-you-are vibe, this is the kind of place where you can settle in, sip slowly and stay awhile. Bonus: Dogs are welcome, so bring your best friend—fur or human. @everloucoffeeco
Alleyway Bookstore | Apex
Release your inner bookworm and read sustainably! Part literary escape, part community hub, this treasure trove of a used bookstore is stacked with shelf after shelf of preloved page-turners—from timeless classics to BookTok obsessions—just waiting for their stories to get a second life (and at prices that won’t make your wallet weep to boot). Like your coolest friend’s reading nook crossed with an indie movie scene, the cozy space is warm, welcoming and a little nostalgic, just begging you to get lost in the stacks—then get lost in a good book. Bonus: Bring in a used novel of your own to trade for store credit. alleywaybookstore.com
Wendell Market | Wendell
Hyperlocal, heart-filled and full of flavor, downtown’s monthly first-Thursday evening market is as Wendell as it gets. Set against the backdrop of historic brick buildings and shady sidewalks, its market magic ranges from fresh-picked produce and baked bites to handmade goods from local growers, makers and artisans—so you can swap stories with a farmer, score a fresh-out-of-the-oven sourdough and find your new favorite candle all on the same street. Don’t miss themed days also featuring art, food trucks and other entertainment—oh, and part of Campen Street is in the social district! townofwendellnc.gov
by Peyton Masilun | Apr 29, 2025 | Do, May 2025
A new four-year music festival is coming to Dix Park.
While this year’s Dreamville Festival may have marked the end of an era, the music will live on. On the eve of the fifth and final fest, city officials and Dreamville organizers confirmed a new four-year music festival is officially in the works. Same vibes, new chapter.
“We will continue on the same path that’s been successful for us,” said City Manager Marchell Adams-David when asked about the yet-to-be-named festival’s genre. And, whether or not he headlines, J. Cole will remain involved.
“It might not have a Dreamville name on it, but we will be back with this feel,” the rapper and Fayetteville native told the crowd during his headlining performance on the final day of Dreamville Fest. “… to me, this feels like a cookout, a family reunion. There’s so much love with this.”
Dreamville has truly lived up to its name, generating $10.5 million per day for the city last year alone—and the hope is the next act will be just as much of a hit. “The dream has become a reality,” said Adams-David. And Raleigh is going to keep on dreaming big.
by Peyton Masilun | Apr 29, 2025 | May 2025, Stuff
Where to treat yo’self, refresh your wardrobe and support local new stores popping up around Raleigh.
Take a brew-tiful journey via Joel Geier’s recently released book, Flights Across America, highlighting 1,400 breweries spanning all 50 states—including a section dedicated to Raleigh. Cheers! @brewery_travels
Teeing up a major upgrade for minigolf, ParTee Shack’s new North Raleigh spot serves up a par-for-the-course experience with zip lines, dunk shots, duckpin bowling, VR laser tag and a mezz-level bar. Fore! @parteeshack
Can you kick it? Recently opened Leather ’n Heels at Triangle Town Center serves up bold boots and apparel with serious Southern swagger. @leathernheels
Been there, noted that. … Former school teacher and Raleigh native Tess Camp is giving other educators a leg up through her Etsy shop Been There, Taught That, via customized personal planners, notebooks and more. @beenthere_taughtthat
Loungewear, but make it pop. Woman-owned, size-inclusive and straight outta Apex, Zillajee’s vibrant, breathable bottoms are made for slow spring mornings and nights. @zillajee
Glam on! HUSH is slated to drop its second outpost in NHID this fall, complete with luxe lashes, elevated cuts and new wellness spa. @hushraleigh
NHID’s Maker’s Alley is leveling up with two fresh additions: A Lil’ R + R, your new go-to for playful gifts, illustrated goodies and hands-on workshops; and Unlikely Professionals’ dual concept serving curated fashion, home goods and natural wine. @alilrnr.shop, @unlikelyprofessionals
by Peyton Masilun | Apr 29, 2025 | Eat, May 2025
Sober sipping meets community at Raleigh’s newest pop-up.
Raleigh’s NA bev scene is in full bloom—and it’s about to burst into full blossom. Enter Dry Garden, a new local botanical beverage concept making waves as a pop-up—with a brick-and-mortar coming soon. Offering alcohol-free alts rooted in ritual, flavor and community, the woman-owned brand is on a mission to change how we think about consuming and going out.
“This is more than just an alternative to a bar—I don’t need to go to another bar,” says founder Vica Billings, who embarked on her own sober journey and started Dry Garden for those, including herself, searching for a space to enjoy a craft bev without the pressure of alcohol. “We need a place where drinking people, sober people and everyone in between feel welcome. A space that feels like home.”
Launched this spring, Dry Garden is Raleigh’s latest addition to the booming sober scene—but it’s far from just another mocktail moment. Billings is currently hosting tastings, and her long-term goal is to open a physical location that serves as a third place for connection, weekly tastings and community events. “I wanted to create a place where people could unwind, connect and savor a drink they love—without waking up the next day with regrets,” she says.
The timing is spot-on. In January, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a public advisory identifying alcohol as a leading preventable cause of cancer—further fueling the sober-curious movement and inspiring many to rethink their drinking habits. In Raleigh and beyond, that shift is playing out in the form of THC/CBD drink launches, alcohol-free cocktail menus, and social spaces and events that don’t require booze to have a good time.
To wit, sober bars are trending across the country—from Austin to LA to New York City, where Summer House star Carl Radke is opening his own NA concept, Soft Bar, this summer. And while Raleigh previously welcomed Umbrella Dry Bar as an early pioneer, Dry Garden aims to reimagine what an NA venue can look like.
“Our focus is botanical-first,” explains Billings. “We’re not trying to recreate the drinking experience—we’re creating something new. It’s not just a bar without booze—it’s a completely different kind of gathering space… where NA isn’t an afterthought—it’s the whole point.”
Beyond the bar, Dry Garden aims to expose curious drinkers to a variety of thoughtfully curated botanical beverages, many of which can be purchased to enjoy at home, during a picnic or at your next game night. “It’s about bringing the ritual of a good drink beyond the bar and into everyday life,” emphasizes Billings.
And she sees Raleigh as an ideal market for the movement. “People here are intentional about how they live, eat and spend their time… making it the perfect place for a concept like Dry Garden to take root,” she adds. “There’s a clear appetite for spaces that support connection without the pressure to drink.”
While the sober trend is definitely taking off, only time will tell if Raleigh is really ready for another NA bar. drinkdrygarden.com
by Peyton Masilun | Apr 29, 2025 | Do, May 2025
Five of the best bites, sips & screenings just outside Raleigh
Tonya’s Cafe | Chapel Hill
Tonya Council—yes, that Tonya of Oprah-approved baked good fame (!) and the late Mama Dip’s granddaughter—is serving up a fresh take on Southern comfort food at her latest tasty venture. An extension of her popular Tonya’s Cookies & Bake Shop, the soulful spot dishes out mouthwatering classics like chicken-fried steak, smothered pork chops, Monte Cristo sandos and a must-try cornbread flight—not to mention an irresistibly refreshing mango peach lemonade and desserts like banana pudding… because everyone knows a Southern meal isn’t complete without something sweet. tonyascookies.com
Killer Queen Wine Bar | Durham
Part funky hideaway, part community hub, this eclectic art-filled “social living room” is where great wines meet spectacular vibes in the heart of downtown Durham. Serving up the ultimate third place, it’s ideal for any sort of rendezvous—whether you’re sipping solo, deep in convo with friends or making an unexpected new one (two-legged or four!). With more than 50 wines by the glass, a curated small plates menu and a back patio straight out of a Brooklyn-meets-Southerner’s dream (wings mural by Collette Miller included), there’s always something—or someone—worth toasting to, making for a ~killer~ time indeed. killerqueendurham.com
Downtown Cary Park Movie Night Series | Cary
Bring on the popcorn and park it for the ultimate outdoor cinema experience. From Moana 2 (May 23) to Top Gun (July 3) to Wicked (Aug. 20), The Cary Theater-curated lineup is stacked with crowd favorites, all screened free on the Great Lawn. Come early to snag the best seat, hit up food trucks for movie munchies, and dive into themed preshow activities. Pro tip: BYO blankets and beach chairs for max comfort. downtowncarypark.com
Faulisi Caffé & Enoteca | Cary
One of the Triangle’s top pizzerias has flipped the script—literally. Once wood-fired pizza hot spot Pizzeria Faulisi has transformed into a vibrant breakfast-and-lunch cafe, offering a cozy neighborhood spot to linger over some grub. OG fans can still get their pie fix via the weekday margherita pizza and a few weekend specials, but, now, the real star is the rotating lineup of unique pastries, stacked sammies, fresh salads and expertly brewed coffee bevs. Cater to an all-day fest by indulging in a sfogliatella (cream-filled pastry) with a rich cioccolato con caffe, then savor an order of housemade gnocchi, or plan your return for an upcoming wine dinner. One thing’s for sure—this isn’t just a pivot, it’s a glow-up. pizzeriafaulisi.com
French Bleue | Apex
Step into a little slice of Provence via this charming spot where elegance meets everyday living and centuries-old European antiques are blended with modern pieces. Owner Libby Padula scoured markets across Europe to curate the dreamy collection of vintage treasures, luxe decor and design-forward finds that feel both storied and effortlessly chic—think weathered patina frames, gilded mirrors, plush velvet furniture and ceramic kitchenware. Enhance that Parisian vibe by grabbing a sandwich, salad or macaron from new in-house petite cafe Marché—in partnership with Raleigh’s own lucettegrace—as you peruse. frenchbleue.com
