Green, the color of nature, is associated with feelings of energy and harmony. Bringing vibrant green decorations into your home will make any space feel lively, yet peaceful—and will leave all who visit just a little bit jealous.
1. Pernell velvet pillow cover 23”, $61.95; Crate & Barrel 2. “Parkway” by Kimberly Balentine acrylic on canvas 8” x 8” x 2”, $100; kimboriginals.com 3. Versace limited edition jungle vase 10 1/4”, $575; Bailey’s Fine Jewelry 4. Rewined handmade natural soy wax candle, $24; Zest Cafe & Home Art 5. Arte Italica Scavo charger 14”, $59, Bailey’s Fine Jewelry 6. Herend Chinese bouquet Cov Bonbon with bunny 5” x 4”, $190; Bailey’s Fine Jewelry 7. Dona solid woven rug 5’x 8’, $117; Target 8. Vietri artichokes green figural olive oil cruet, $60; Bailey’s Fine Jewelry 9. ‘101 Cocktails to Try Before You Die’ by Francois Monti, $12, Form & Function 10. “Channel velvet bench with brass base, $599; Crate & Barrel
A fresh, vibrant green that adds the peaceful calm of nature into the home. It works beautifully in a dining room, powder room or as an accent color in the living room.
Moody, vibrant and seductive, this deep emerald green works in a variety of rooms, from a light-filled powder room to a spacious dining room. I love using Sparkling Emerald when lacquering furniture pieces to add a bold statement to any space.
Because green symbolizes nature, it is often thought of as a refreshing and restful color. Green can energize your home and pairs well with black and white accents and pops of bright pink and orange. It is a classic!
— Julie Flournoy, For Your Convenience
I usually tend to lean towards darker and more enveloping shades of green, particularly for bedrooms and studies … but when I want to have a play on space that invokes other emotions, like refreshment and restoration, like for a bathroom, I have found Jolly Green helps to achieve this.
Fewer direct flights out of RDU could impact Raleigh’s hospitality industry for years to come. Meanwhile, airport improvement projects have been put on hold.
With much of North Carolina operating in shutdown mode for months, we’re beginning to see the effects that COVID-19 has had, and will continue to have, on the health of our local economy.
Raleigh has long been an epicenter for both leisure and corporate travel but it will now undergo a test: How quickly can the City of Oaks and the region bounce back in the wake of a worldwide pandemic once the state is fully reopened? With Raleigh-Durham International Airport seeing drops in flight services similar to what happened post-9/11, local tourism and airport leaders say they have concerns.
In April, travelers coming through RDU decreased by 96 percent, with only 40,000 passengers traveling through during the entire month; RDU typically sees roughly 40,000 passengers in one day. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, RDU offered 59 direct flights daily, including to five international destinations. As of late June, that number is down to 23 direct flights, none of which are international. Trends are showing a slight uptick in passenger volume, and the RDU Airport Authority predicts that number will increase to 27 direct daily flights for the month of July.
Industry analysts and RDU’s forecasts indicate it will take until the end of 2024 to recover to 80 percent of pre-COVID flight levels; for context, it took the industry six years after 9/11, and seven years after the 2007 economic downturn, to recover.
As a result of a significant decrease in revenue projections, RDU is curtailing several planned projects it had intended to start in order to keep up with what had been forecasted as a substantial surge in travelers over the last several years. Among the $96 million in planned capital projects were two additional lanes to be added to the security checkpoint in Terminal 2 and an expanded customs area; the reopening of four gates in Terminal 1 for Allegiant and Spirit Airlines, and a new car rental facility. Instead, RDU will delay new projects and focus on improvements to existing infrastructure such as runways and taxiways.
Airport officials predict 3 million people will come through RDU between June 1 and the end of 2020, totaling about 5.5 million travelers this year, a stark reduction compared to the 14.2 million travelers in 2019.
“Tourism was one of the first sectors that was impacted by COVID-19, and will likely be one of the last to recover,” says Dennis Edwards, president and CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are in a position where many of our demand generators are very limited, which will continue to impact the demand on flights.”
With indoor gatherings limited to 10 people, and outdoor gatherings limited to 25 as of late June, everything from weddings, to concerts, to festivals, to food truck rodeos have to be postponed or canceled. Corporate travel is one of the main draws to RDU and most business travel has been put on hold.
Experts predict the leisure market will be the first to bounce back, with people eager to visit friends and relatives, but Edwards says he guesses that people will still be somewhat wary of planes. With COVID cases and hospitalizations climbing and uncertainty still in the air as far as limitations on mass gatherings, Raleigh will likely continue to lose many of the few conventions and sporting events that remain planned for 2020.
“When consumers begin to travel, they will likely drive before fly,” Edwards says. “We think the leisure market will be the first to recover, followed by corporate travel, sporting events, then meetings and conventions. Forecasts are projecting that it will take five to seven years to return to our 2019 (travel) numbers.”
According to a June 8 report published by The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, the hospitality industry tax collections in April were at a historic low, with hotel occupancy around 35 percent. These drastic drops are a direct result of COVID-19 closing down restaurants and hotels, event cancellations and, most certainly, due to the drastic decrease in flights.
Considering the hospitality industry in Raleigh and Wake County generates 67,000 jobs and is vital to the local economy’s health overall, these numbers are staggering. The month of April marked the lowest hotel occupancy for a single month in more than 15 years, the report found. Typically, Raleigh and Wake County welcome 16.8 million visitors annually, who spend $2.7 billion, generating more than $268 million in state and local tax revenues.
“April was our first full month in shutdown mode,” Edwards says, “and the effects that had on tax collections is evident.”
The good news?
According to a national study by Destination Analysts, more Americans say they feel ready to travel, with upwards of 70 percent planning to take a leisure trip during the remainder of 2020, and four out of 10 corporate travelers say they would be willing to attend a convention in the fall.
Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the RDU Airport Authority, said in an interview with the News and Observer last month that, in May, “nearly 98,000 people flew in and out of RDU, and the number of seats occupied on a given flight averaged 37.4 percent, up from 12.1 percent in April.”
Landguth emphasized that RDU’s passenger levels are consistent with airports in other markets, where passenger traffic is also growing incrementally. Indeed, stores and restaurants within the terminals are beginning to reopen, with 42nd Street Oyster Bar and California Pizza Kitchen opening mid-June and others reopening at the end of the month.
Considering that the Research Triangle area touted a strong economy before the pandemic hit, we’re likely to see ours bounce back more quickly than in other regions.
“The health and safety of everyone at the airport is RDU’s top priority,” Landguth says. “As we head into the traditionally busy summer travel season, we are taking every precaution to allow passengers to fly with confidence. Our guests will see significant changes in the travel experience, including enhanced cleaning and disinfecting practices, signs and floor decals that remind passengers about social distancing and hand sanitizing stations throughout the terminals.”
COVID-19 Impact on Tourism in Wake County
Hotel Occupancy March: 44 percent (down 42.6 percent over 2019) April: 27.5 percent (down 64.2 percent over 2019) May: 33.3% (down 57% over 2019)
Cancellations 164 meetings, conventions, and sporting events have been canceled at a loss of 189,750 attendees and 129,240 hotel room nights. $80.8 million in economic impact.
All data from Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Raleigh and Wake County are home to many great things—great restaurants, great museums, great schools, great healthcare and technology industries. The area also boasts talented artisans who craft a variety of handmade products that can be found both near and far, from candles and pottery to hot sauce and cheese. We’re lucky to have Videri’s signature chocolate bars, Carolina Popcorn Shoppe’s beloved kettle corn, Wandering Star Soaps’ colorful whipped bath bars and more, right at our disposal. We’re in favor of buying local when we can and urge you to support these local makers whenever possible, whether you’re treating yourself to a gift or buying a present for a friend or family member. Along with our local artists, restaurant and small business owners, our artisans can all use your help right now, too.
Ojalá Pottery
NC Mug in Midnight Drip: All of my pieces are hand thrown on my pottery wheel, glazed in my home studio and fired in my personal kiln. This mug features a Dogwood design in honor of our state flower. $32; etsy.com/shop/OjalaPottery — Caroline Radcliff
Slice Pie Company
Our Peach Pie is made just like our State Fair Blue Ribbon Apple Pie, just substituted for our peach pie lovers. Weighing in over 3 pounds of the freshest peaches and peeled by hand, stuffed into a blanket of our flaky pastry crust and “Slice” spices, some say that our peach pie crust tastes like a crispy biscuit. $30; slicepiecompany.com — Kristen Cleve
Larry’s Coffee
All of Larry’s Coffee blends are organic, fair trade and shade-grown (including the fully recyclable K cups the company recently launched). $15-$16.50 per 12 oz. bag; larryscoffee.com
Videri Choclate
Videri’s most popular chocolate bar. It’s made with 70 percent Classic Dark chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt. Salty-sweet is hard to beat. $6; viderichocolatefactory.com
Escazu
A dozen Escazú chocolate chip cookies. Proceeds from this purchase will go towards supporting Escazu employees during the closure. $50; escazuchocolates.com/shop-now/cookies
Ky’s Kandles
Quarantine Edition candles available in 3 fragrances: Quarantine, Quarantine Life, Vacation Me Please. $15.50 each; kyskandles.com
Wandering Star Soap
Wandering Star Soap luxury artisan handmade bar soaps, whipped soaps, sugar scrubs, spa salts, lip balms and lotion bars. Soaps are made using shea butter and avocado oil to protect and nourish the skin. Brilliant micas, pigments and clays are swirled throughout to create dazzling designs to complement the decadent fragrances. All products are vegan and are mixed and poured by hand. $9-$15; wanderingstarsoap.com
Anders Natural Soap
Organic and natural lavender soap gift box includes Lavender Goat Milk, Lavender Fields Oatmeal and Lavender Vanilla. $21.50; andersnaturalsoap.com
Ginny O’s Cheese Straws
Original Ginny O’s Cheese Straws 9 oz. gift tin. $22.99; ginnyo.com
Moon & Lola
Cheshire hand cut monogram domed ring. $370; moonandlola.com
MelsieGlass
Glass serving trays to dress up your casual entertaining. 3-section tray. $75; etsy.com/shop/melsieglass
Num Num Sauce
Num Num Sauce is a craft Southern-style grilling and dipping sauce that serves as a healthy alternative to ketchup, mustard and BBQ sauce. It is low sodium, fat free, preservative free and gluten free. Num Num Sauce flavor profiles complement vegetables, meats, soups and salads. $6.99; numnumsauce.com
Lit Moments
Reed Diffusers are all natural, responsibly harvested, recyclable and replaceable rattan reeds. $30; lit-moments.com
Acorns Over Raleigh 16 x 16 acrylic painting. $85; kristinlozoya.com
Daisy and Fox
Custom Heart Bicycle Necklace with initial charm 18” chain. $15.99; Daisy and Fox. etsy.com/shop/DaisyandFox
Urban Guerrilla 63
The New Barn Bag, 16” x 14” x 6” with a 44”-48” adjustable shoulder strap. $249.40; Urban Guerrilla 63. etsy.com/shop/UrbanGuerrilla63
Mami’s Baking
Loaded Cookie Box includes a variety of Crownie, PB&J, Red Velvet Delight, All American, Flor’s Lemon Cheesecake, Cookie Monster, Grandaddypurp, Gimmee S’more, Billionaire Bacon and PB Cup Protein cookies. Starting at $23.99. mamisbaking.com
Bone Suckin’ Sauce
Bone Suckin’ Grillin’ Box and cookbook. $39.99; ncstore.com
Porch Fly Supply Company
The Raleigh Howlin’ Moon tee has become a recognizable, local classic. This popular tee has been worn by everyone from the NC State dance team to amazing local musicians, superstar chefs and some of our favorite Carolina Hurricanes players. Ultra-soft poly cotton shirt (tailored fit) with lightweight, smooth, screen-printed design. $26; porchfly.com
First Olive Soap
First Olive three soap bar gift set with pine soap dish. $30; Firstolive.com
Carolina Popcorn Shoppe
Gable Box includes four equally sized bags of: Old Fashioned Caramel, Tasty Butter, Yellow Cheddar and Kettle Corn. $12.95; carolinapopcorn.com
Naturally Chic Gifts
Bon Anniversaire and happy birthday to your nearest and dearest! The gift includes a Lemon Sugar Cookie Candle, bath bomb, body butter, tumbler and birthday cake cashew cups. $54; naturallychicgifts.com
CY Design Studio
CY Design Studio is an independent handcrafted jewelry company whose mission is to create charming and affordable long-lasting jewelry, which is as unique as the person wearing it. Each piece is expertly handcrafted in solid 14k gold-filled or sterling silver components and freshwater pearls. $29.99-$39.99; CYDesign.Studio
Looking for some easy drives from Raleigh as the days warm up? Take a road trip to see and do things differently, safely. Here are four of our favorite quick escapes, all within an hour’s drive of the City of Oaks.
Rocky Mount
The Mills and the Falls Rocky Mount, just an hour northeast of Raleigh, makes for the perfect escape; its small-town charm, coupled with its growing food and beer scene, is utterly delightful.
EAT AND DRINK
Lou Reda’s
Lou Reda’s An American Table This modern American eatery serves up a variety of delicious staples, including ribeye, brisket burgers, mac and cheese and grilled salmon, as well as a weekly roundup of dishes exploring the cuisines of various regions across the country. 3646 Sunset Ave., #122; louredas.com
Anne’s Donuts and Bakery Stop in for a hot, fresh donut or pastry. Donuts are baked in-house daily and after 65 years in business, Anne’s old-fashioned donuts will still make your mouth water with flavors like apple, strawberry-filled, Bavarian cream and classic chocolate glazed. Bring home some cookies, cupcakes, danishes or cinnamon rolls to satisfy your sweet tooth long after you’ve left. 2714 Sunset Ave.; annesdonutsandbakery.com
HopFly Brewing Company One of the many breweries located in Rocky Mount Mills, HopFly opens its tasting room Friday through Sunday offering curbside pickup. Visitors can enjoy some of HopFly’s signature brews, crafted with only the finest ingredients, from jalapeños to amarillo to biscuit malt. 147 Falls Rd., #121; hopflybrewing.com
Morning Addiction Coffee House Locally owned and operated, the MACH lives up to its name as one of the only neighborhood coffee shops in Rocky Mount for both locals and tourists to get their caffeine fix. The brightly decorated shop offers freshly roasted Italian brews, along with all the classic espresso drinks—including flavored cappuccinos and frozen lattes—as well as fruit smoothies. 2542 Hunter Hill Rd.; facebook.com/morningaddictioncoffeehouse
DO
Tar River Trail
Tar River Trail and Waterways The Tar River offers plenty of outdoor activities, including a 4-mile biking and walking path, three parks and the Tar River falls. The waterway provides 10 canoe and kayak access locations to explore more than 20 miles of Rocky Mount through gentle waters. Pack your sunscreen and a picnic for a day of sightseeing and adventure. rockymountnc.gov/departments___services/parks___recreation/trails
Sunset Park With a 1920 Herschell-Spillman “County Fair” style carousel, miniature Model G-16 train, playground and spray park, Rocky Mount’s main park feels more like a fair than anything else. The 25-acre outdoor area features concession stands, recreational courts and fields, picnic shelters and a disc golf course. rockymountnc.gov/departments___services/parks___recreation/parks/sunset_park
Pittsboro
There’s A Lot To See in this Little Town Less than an hour from Raleigh down US 64, Pittsboro’s quaint downtown is dotted with unique shops and eateries.
EAT AND DRINK
S&T’s Soda Shop
Pittsboro Road House and General Store In a converted car dealership that sits in the shadow of the courthouse—which garnered national attention back when it was the scene of a lawsuit over a sex tape involving former U.S. Sen. John Edwards—you’ll find the Pittsboro Road House and General Store, the town’s unofficial cultural center. Serving an eclectic menu of made-from-scratch dishes, the Road House caters to a variety of tastes. Don’t miss the fried green tomatoes. 39 West St.; pittsbororoadhouse.com
S&T’s Soda Shoppe S&T’s Soda Shoppe is the ticket for an old-fashioned burger and cherry smash. UNC Chapel Hill alums will want to try the lasagna or Steve’s Gambler – you’ll think you’re back at the Rathskeller. 85 Hillsboro St.; sandtsodashoppe.com
DO
Clyde’s Critter Crossing
Clyde’s Critter Crossing Folk art legend Clyde Jones lives five miles down the road in the tiny community of Bynum. Known for creating whimsical art with a stump and a chainsaw, Clyde’s critters have been on display in locales as far-flung as the Smithsonian Museum and the Great Wall of China. Nearly every yard in Bynum has a critter, which can’t be bought—Jones prefers to give them away. His own yard is a treasure trove of his art and respectful visitors are welcome to poke around. There’s even a visitors’ book on the porch. 137 Bynum Hill Road, Bynum; no phone, e-mail or set hours
Chatham County First Responders Memorial Next to the new Chatham County Justice Center, the centerpiece of the memorial is a 19-foot, 12,500-pound steel beam from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. The memorial honors all first responders who have given their lives, including those who died Sept. 11, 2001. The beam stands on end, tilted at 9 degrees, 11 minutes, pointing toward Ground Zero. 40 E. Chatham St.
Pinehurst
Land of the Pines In Pinehurst, a village in Moore County near the town of Southern Pines, no matter where you go, the namesake trees are always in view.
EAT AND DRINK
Ironwood Cafe This beloved American eatery has become the centerpiece of the town’s growing food scene, with lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch menus that boast fine ingredients and seasonal produce. 2176 Midland Rd.; ironwoodpinehurst.com
Elliott’s on Linden Specializing in farm-to-table fare, Elliott’s sources everything locally. Try the cornbread and country ham stuffed chicken breasts, pear and stilton salad and seared scallops with parsnip curry puree, tangerine beurre blanc and coriander dust. 905 Linden Rd.; elliotsonlinden.com
Pinehurst Brewing Co.
Pinehurst Brewing Co. Occupying the historic 1895 Village steam plant, much of the original brick and steel was used in the restoration of the building and the signature smokestack proudly bears the brewery’s name. Try craft beers from head brewer Eric Mitchell, with seasonal brews added throughout the year. 300 Magnolia Rd.; pinehurstbrewing.com
Pine Scone Cafe Classic cappuccinos, mochas and chai lattes, as well as bubble tea, smoothies and an Espresso Frappa—essentially a frappuccino—round out the drinks menu, while delicious baked scones give you the fuel you need. 905 Linden Rd.; pinesconecafe.com
Drum & Quill Public House This traditional Irish watering hole has a neighborhood bar feel with a good drinks selection. The pub’s name derives from golf writer Bob Drum’s secret weapon, his quill, and it pays tribute to Pinehurst’s golf history prominence by honoring the Grand Slam. 40 Chinquapin Rd.; drumandquill.com
DO
Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
Sandhills Horticultural Gardens Amid 27 acres of plant life across 10 different gardens, get lost in the Sir Walter Raleigh Garden’s holly maze, bring a picnic lunch to eat in the Fruit and Vegetable Garden, stop and smell the Rose Garden’s blooms and admire local artists’ sculptures throughout. sandhills.edu/horticultural-gardens
One of a Kind Gallery One of a Kind Gallery features 24 local artists and their works, including paintings, wood sculptures, photographs, candles, pottery and more, displayed in a bright, three-room gallery. 90 Cherokee Rd.; oneofakindgalleryllc.com
Uwharrie National Forest With the scenic Uwharrie, Yadkin and Pee Dee rivers, as well as the Uwharrie Mountains, the Uwharrie National Forest offers 1,600 miles of trails for hiking and bicycling within its 51,000 National Forest System acres. visitnc.com/listing/SfSU/uwharrie-national-forest
Saxapahaw
“Middle-of-Nowhere” Success The approach to Saxapahaw is nearly as relaxing as the destination. West of Chapel Hill on a two-lane road sandwiched between farmland, civilization sneaks up on you.
EAT
Saxapahaw General Store Saxapahaw General Store would be easy to miss if not for the gas tanks out front. But behind the doors of a nondescript exterior is a surprise that’s not so much a secret anymore. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and a weekend brunch, the farm-to-table choices are spelled out on an expansive blackboard menu. For the burger aficionado, the selection is impressive. Regular customers from the Triad and the Triangle routinely stop in for lunch at “your local five-star gas station.” Alongside the fresh produce, they sell cigarettes and Little Debbie snack cakes. 1735 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd.; saxgenstore.com
Left Bank Butchery
Left Bank Butchery On the way out of town, stop by Left Bank Butchery and stock up on Belgian Beer Sausage house-made from local beer and pork. The whole animal butchery and charcuterie isn’t just about meat: they also smoke fish. 1729 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd.; leftbankbutchery.com
The Eddy Two and half years after he revolutionized the General Store, proprietor Jeff Barney helped launch The Eddy, now the place to be for a relaxing evening by the river. As is the practice in Saxapahaw, sustainable food is always the order of the day. 1715 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd.; theeddypub.com
DO
Swap It Out
Swap it out On the sidewalk outside the General Store is the Saxapahaw Sharing Basket—actually several shelves of baskets that serve as an ongoing swap meet for neighbors. The rule is if you have it, share it, if you need it, take it. It’s all a part of the mission to grow community trust and nurture sustainability. 1735 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd.
My client wanted an intimate bar area with easy access for casual evenings with friends, so we created a space that felt collected and assembled from a mix of metals, woods, cultures and eras.
