Hello friends!
Today is National Watermelon Day—a sweet reminder to savor the simple joys of summer. Whether you’re enjoying a cold, juicy slice or spending time with someone special, I hope your day is filled with refreshing moments, warm smiles, and plenty of reasons to be grateful. Here’s to a wonderful day in Wake County!
See you out there in beautiful Wake,
Diane
—Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
B’s Customer Designs – Handmade Wreaths That Make a Statement
Support a small business and a work-at-home mom when you choose a one-of-a-kind wreath from B’s Customer Designs.
Each piece is carefully crafted to be uniquely yours—beautiful, eye-catching, and the perfect statement for your front door.
Turn your entryway into something special. Shop B’s Customer Designs today and bring home the beauty of handmade.
Check out her latest creations and order your own: B’s Custom Creations by BR
📍Today’s Giggle📍
“My mom told me if I swallowed the watermelon seeds, a whole watermelon would grow in my tummy… so I spent the rest of the summer checking my belly button for vines.”
An Afternoon Among the Vines: Discovering Gregory Vineyards
Just south of Fuquay-Varina, where the roads narrow and the landscape softens into rolling farmland, sits a family farm that feels like a well-kept secret. Gregory Vineyards, paired with its on-site restaurant Lane’s Seafood & Steakhouse, offers exactly the kind of unhurried afternoon that travel writers dream of recommending—and that locals quietly protect.
The Gregory family has deep roots in this corner of Harnett County. Their land has been farmed for generations, with family history reaching back to the colonial era of early land grants in the region. What was once tobacco country has been lovingly transformed. In 1987, the family opened Lane’s Seafood & Steakhouse right on the farm. More than two decades later, in 2009, they planted vines and created Gregory Vineyards, completing a full circle from field to table to bottle.
Here in eastern North Carolina, the grape that thrives best—and the one the Gregory’s grow with pride—is the native muscadine. These thick-skinned, intensely flavored grapes are uniquely suited to the heat, humidity, and sandy soils of the region. While other varieties may struggle, muscadines flourish, producing the sweet, aromatic wines for which the vineyard is known. From vine to bottle on the same property, the wines carry the unmistakable character of this place: bright, approachable, and full of Southern soul. Seasonal specials and award-winning bottles make every tasting feel personal.
The ambiance is pure country calm. Rows of vines stretch toward the horizon. A lake glimmers nearby. The air carries the quiet sounds of farm life mixed with easy conversation. There is nothing rushed or overly polished here—just genuine hospitality that feels like being welcomed by old friends. Staff members greet you with real warmth, happy to share stories about the wines, the land, and the family’s journey. It is the kind of place where time slows down without anyone having to announce it and the owner, Lane will come to your table to make sure everything is perfect, kiddingly tell you that he personally picked the peaches this morning that make the peach cobbler amazing.
Plan your visit as an afternoon destination. Arrive for a wine tasting on a Friday or Saturday afternoon, when the tasting room is open and the light is golden across the vines. Sample the muscadines—sweet, dry, and everything in between—while soaking in the peaceful setting. Walk the grounds if the weather invites it or just relax on their southern hospitality front porch. Let the unhurried pace settle over you.
Then stay for dinner. As evening approaches, head inside Lane’s Seafood & Steakhouse, the family’s original restaurant still operating on the same farm. The menu is classic Southern goodness on a plate: freshly breaded Calabash-style seafood, perfectly grilled steaks, and comforting sides that taste like they were made with care. Pair your meal with a bottle from the vineyard just outside the door. Whether you choose the ribeye, a platter of shrimp, salmon, or the seasonal specials, the food arrives with the same generous spirit that defines the entire property.
Gregory Vineyards is not trying to be Napa or even the Yadkin Valley. It is something quieter and more personal—a working family farm that invites you to slow down, taste what the land gives best, and linger over a good meal as the sun sets over the vines. For an afternoon that turns into an evening well spent, this is a destination worth the short drive south of Fuquay-Varina. Come for the muscadine. Stay for the hospitality. Leave already planning your return. https://gregoryvineyards.com
Water Babies of Greater Raleigh offers expert-led swim lessons for babies and toddlers from birth to age 4 in warm, welcoming Triangle pools.
You’ll be in the water together for fun, child-led classes filled with songs, play, and gentle skill-building—creating special bonding moments while your little one gains confidence.
Why parents love Water Babies:
✅ Builds early water confidence and helps prevent fear of water
✅ Introduces foundational water safety skills
✅ Supports healthy physical and emotional development
✅ Creates quality parent-child bonding time
✅ Taught by caring, highly trained local instructors
Give your child the gift of water confidence and joyful memories. Spots fill quickly—contact Water Babies of Greater Raleigh today!
➡️ Lessons
Rain to the Rescue: Raleigh Lifts Water Restrictions
Raleigh is officially lifting its Stage 1 water restrictions following much-needed rainfall across the region. Recent rains have helped replenish Falls Lake, bringing the reservoir back to approximately 84% capacity.
The improved water supply is welcome news for residents and businesses, but officials continue to encourage everyone to use water wisely and make conservation part of their everyday routine.
Building on Excellence: Wake County Earns Statewide Honor
Wake County Permits and Inspections has been named the 2026 Jurisdiction of the Year by North Carolina’s building inspectors.
The prestigious recognition celebrates the department’s outstanding service, professionalism, and commitment to safe, efficient development throughout our growing community. Congratulations to the entire Wake County Permits and Inspections team on this well-deserved honor!
Wake County’s Newest Bites: July 2026 Restaurant Openings
Wake County’s dining scene was sizzling in July! From ramen and wood-fired bagels to Balkan pastries and creative burritos, here are the new restaurants, cafés and gathering places that opened around the county.
Songbird Takes Flight in Raleigh
Location: 1020 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Suite 130, Raleigh
Songbird officially opened July 3 at East End Market. This daylight-to-dusk gathering spot serves coffee, tea, wine, cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks and a seasonal menu of shareable plates—all surrounded by a lovely patio and garden.
Downtown Apex Gets Groovy!
Location: 101 N. Salem Street, Apex
Groovy Duck Bakery opened its newest location in downtown Apex to a line of eager customers. The bakery is known for its famous muffins, chunky cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, bars and other small-batch treats.
Kokoro Brings the Comfort of Ramen Downtown
Location: 200 E. Martin Street, Raleigh
Kokoro Ramen & Izakaya has opened in Raleigh’s historic City Market. The Japanese restaurant and pub serves warming ramen bowls, rice plates, bento lunches and shareable dishes—perfect for anyone ready to sip, slurp and savor.
Build Your Own Slice at Mikey’s Pizza
Location: 2320 Bale Street, Raleigh
Mikey’s Pizza celebrated its grand opening July 11 near Wake Forest Road. Created by Michael Longo of Vic’s Italian Restaurant, the family-friendly concept allows children—and playful adults—to build their own pizzas and enjoy their edible creations on the spot. V
Bruma Brings Brunch and Tacos to Wake Forest
Location: 1898 S. Franklin Street, Wake Forest
Bruma Brunch & Social Taco is now serving modern Mexican flavors in downtown Wake Forest. With brunch dishes, creative tacos and a lively social atmosphere, Bruma gives diners a fresh new reason to gather around the table.
Morrisville Gets a Super Serving of Chicken
Location: 1125 Hatches Pond Lane, Morrisville
Super Chix opened its first Triangle-area restaurant next to Wegmans in Morrisville. The fast-casual favorite serves crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders, hand-cut fries, frozen custard and plenty of tempting sauces.
A Peruvian Adventure Arrives on Martin Street
Location: 16 W. Martin Street, Raleigh
Inka Grille opened July 8 in downtown Raleigh, bringing vibrant Peruvian cooking to the heart of the city. Diners can explore flavorful dishes influenced by Peru’s colorful ingredients and rich culinary traditions.
Dupre’s Brews Up a Permanent Home
Location: 3616 N.C. Highway 42, Willow Spring
After building a following from its mobile camper, Dupre’s Coffee & Company opened its brick-and-mortar café July 8. Southeastern Wake County coffee lovers now have a new place to enjoy locally brewed drinks, friendly conversation and a relaxing break.
Raleigh Gets Toasted—in the Best Way!
Location: 11201 Galleria Avenue, Suite 101, Raleigh
The Toasted Yolk Cafe opened July 13 near Capital Boulevard, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch daily. Expect omelets, pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, salads and other daytime favorites from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Standard Raises the Bar in North Hills
Location: 560 St. Albans Drive, Raleigh
Standard Beer + Food opened its second Raleigh location in the North Hills Innovation District. The full-service restaurant features wood-fired cooking, a raw bar, burgers, locally sourced ingredients, craft cocktails and six frozen slushies on tap.
Clouds Brewing Rolls Back into Downtown Raleigh
Location: 505 Jones Street, Raleigh
Clouds Brewing has opened in the former Tobacco Road Sports Café space. The returning downtown destination began with a limited menu of thoughtfully prepared food, cold beer and plenty of good vibes.
Beignets, Brew and a Little Powdered-Sugar Magic
Location: 3001 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh
Beignets & Brew opened on the ground floor of the Stanhope building, marking the company’s first North Carolina location. The café serves fresh, hot beignets with fun toppings, along with specialty coffee, tea and breakfast croissants.
Cary Rolls Out the Burritos
Location: 337 Sembler Lane, Cary
Bubbakoo’s Burritos opened in the Ambery Place shopping center with a menu that likes to have fun. Choices include hibachi steak-and-shrimp burritos, crispy buffalo chicken quesadillas and Nashville hot chicken burritos.
Biddy Thomas Serves Southern Hospitality
Location: 2409 Crabtree Boulevard, Raleigh
Biddy Thomas began lunch and dinner service at Gateway Plaza in July. The restaurant blends fresh Southern cooking with a touch of New Orleans and features seasonal cocktails, a game area and a charming retail section filled with gifts.
Monya Gives Ramen Lovers More to Slurp
Location: 3800 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 110, Raleigh
Monya Ramen & Izakaya opened next door to its sister restaurant, Sushi Mon. One side features made-to-order traditional and contemporary ramen, while the izakaya side offers a relaxed Japanese pub atmosphere with sake, beer and soju.
Wood-Fired Bagels Come to North Hills
Location: 511 Hardimont Road, Raleigh
Benchwarmers Bagels opened its third location July 30 in the North Hills Innovation District. Tucked into a surprisingly peaceful setting, the shop offers wood-fired bagels, breakfast selections and hot coffee—an excellent lineup for hungry mornings.
Fuquay-Varina Welcomes a Himalayan Treat
Location: 405 E. Broad Street, Suite 249, Fuquay-Varina
Momo Station has opened inside Quaint Plaza, specializing in Nepalese momos and Himalayan cuisine. Momos are delicious stuffed dumplings that can be steamed or fried, making this a fun new international flavor for southern Wake County.
A New Dunkin’ Perks Up Capital Boulevard
Location: 4506 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh
A new “Next Generation” Dunkin’ celebrated its grand opening July 28. The restaurant offers coffee, doughnuts and breakfast favorites, along with modern ordering features designed to help customers get their caffeine and continue on their way.
Your Next Adventure Is Just One Click Away!
Wondering what’s happening around Wake County today and tomorrow? We’ve gathered the concerts, family fun, games, activities and local happenings—all in one convenient place!
Click the banner below to explore the complete events calendar and start planning your next adventure!
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For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
