Raleigh Small Businesses - here are some great places to list your local business online!  Almost all are FREE and most of them apply not only to Real Estate, but also to any other local business.

We have some terrific local businesses in the Triangle - take advantage and get the word out!

Call 919-278-8070 or visit www.StantonHomes.com to find out more about new homes in the Triangle, or Raleigh Relocation Information.

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Holly Springs Relocation Package

Holly Springs has been ranked one of the top small towns in the nation.  Has it grown enough?  Or are more jobs, businesses, and options coming?

More than 1200 Holly Springs residents responded to an Economic Development Department survey, and told the town what they'd like to see.

Continued commercial growth in Holly Springs is strongly desired, and new shopping centers popping up at the corner of Sunset Lake Road and Holly Springs Road by Harris Teeter, at the intersection of Holly Springs Rd and Main Street by Walgreens, and at the intersection of Avent Ferry Rd and NC-55 are all a sign of the thriving growth in Holly Springs.

Here are some of the highlights of the survey:

- 75% said it's very important to make purchases in Holly Springs and support local businesses.

- 98% said drive time is very important when deciding where to shop

- 60% said there is not currently enough shopping in Holly Springs

- Strong support was given for "non-chain" restaraunts, particularly of varieties other than pizza.

- Target was most frequently mentioned as a desired business.  Plans for a Target have been approved, per the Town of Holly Springs!

Thinking of starting a business in Holly Springs?  You can read the results of the entire survey here. 

Thinking of moving to Holly Springs?  More carefully planned shopping and eating is on it's way, and Holly Springs continues to be a top choice for Triangle relocations!  Browse Holly Springs New Homes - Communities, Lots and Land.

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Fairview Garden Center - One Stop Shop for Outdoor Living

Outstanding Local Business Between Cary and Holly Springs NC

Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center in Raleigh NC offers pots, plants, and patio items - at a great price

There's actually a whole lot more to Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center than pots, plants and patio items.

But I ran out of words that start with "P" for the headline.

And even if I used the entire alphabet it would take a very long time to list all the wonderful landscape and natural decorating offerings the Fairview Garden Center has to offer, including plant care products, garden tools, bird products, flower containers, statuary, home decor, and a gift boutique.

It sure doesn't look like a "mom and pop" - the Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center is absolutely huge.  I wasn't surprised to learn this local Raleigh business has been a community staple for 30 years now.

There's a couple of acres of greenhouse space where they grow their annual flowers and poinsettias.

There are eight acres outside where trees, shrubs, groundcovers and perennials are grown.

And there's even more inside their spacious store.

I made sure I had my walking shoes on when I got out of the car, delighted to stop a while and ponder the creative talent behind everything from bird baths to summer tropical, colorful, plants.

But even more fascinating than what you can buy is what you can learn.

The sales people are knowledgeable about what to plant to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. 

And the Nature Nook at the Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center has absolutely everything, from including hummingbird food, feeders, and handbooks.

The Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center staff helped me understand what kind of plants would not shrivel up and die in the summer heat (like the ones I usually buy and wonder what happened a couple of weeks later.)

And they even pointed out that I might want to opt for some of their new silk and dried floral arrangements to take the pressure off my total lack of a green thumb.

These are real experts, so I came away with some perenials, feeling pretty sure I could manage to do some gardening that would actually pay off this time.

They've received awards for the quality of their plants, and were even voted "Best Garden Center of Western Wake County" by the Maggy Awards. And they knew how to get rid of bugs without killing the flowers.

The Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center even had some of the coolest outdoor furniture I've seen - and I've been watching a lot of "outdoor living space" episodes on HGTV!   

If you want to check them out at home, they've got a great website to get you started with tips for year-round gardening and plants. http://www.fairviewgardencenter.com

Become a "Friend of Fairview" and get even more bargains.

You can call them at 919 851 6821.

And they're easy to find, at 8224 Holly Springs Road in Raleigh (conveniently located between Holly Springs NC and Cary NC). 

Check them out. And don't be surprised if you go home with something special.

Want to know more about the Raleigh Area, including other great local businesses?

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Copyright 2009 Stanton Homes 

North Carolina Artist Profile:  Amy Wald of Chimney Rock Bark and Twig

Some great North Carolina artists and artisans attend the large craft fairs in the Raleigh area.

One of those artists is Amy Wald, of Chimney Rock, NC.  I really enjoyed visiting her booth at the Lazy Daze arts and crafts festival in downtown Cary, NC just a few weeks ago.

Amy Wald creates unique rustic furniture and accessories, the most notable of which is framed art like this painting of a bear.

Amy creates the frames and partners with the paintings of other local artists.

Amy's company, Chimney Rock Bark and Twig, is becoming well known in natural crafting circles.

"I started making these pieces when we were building our log home.  I couldn't find anything like the pieces I had seen in books or in the Adirondack lodges, but at a price that a non-lottery winner could afford.  I made a few pieces for my own home," said Amy. 

"As I was working on them, two things happened.  Others asked me to make pieces for their homes, and I realized that I really had fun making them.   I started out doing a few custom pieces,  moved into galleries, and did a few shows.  Now I am hooked!"

 All Amy's pieces are created using materials that have been carefully dried. 

The frames and other items are then hand sealed to protect and enhance the natural beauty and appeal of the bark, burls and twigs.

Amy gathers her materials on the 50 acres of woodlands that she and her husband live on.  They collect in the winter to make sure the bark stays on the twigs and store them to dry for at least a year.  They use a natural pesticide to make sure no unwanted guests take up residence.

Amy and her husband also work with a few excavators/tree removal people who call her when they are taking down great trees. 

All pieces are hand-made originals and no two are alike. 

Amy works with a group of local artists (Lake Lure Artists) , as well as a few great wildlife artists that she has met at shows.  She buys only from these 8-10 artists at this time, but she's always on the lookout for new talent to partner with.  All pieces must be originals.

Chimney Rock Bark and Twig also takes custom orders for furniture and photo frames.

So if you're looking for something really unique, for decorating your home or a great gift, contact Amy Wald at Chimney Rock Bark and Twig, 828-625-1805, or by email at barkandtwig@bellsouth.net

Amy will be in just two more shows this year:  Matthews, NC on Sept 27th/28th, and Lake Lure on October 18th/19th.

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Raleigh - Organic Produce

What Exactly is a CSA, and how can a CSA help provide fresh, organic, Raleigh-grown produce?

If you haven't heard of a CSA, you're not alone!  But the CSA trend is growing quickly - here's what it's all about. 

A CSA is a Community Supported Agriculture Farm.  If you're looking for fresh, organic food, straight from local farms in the Raleigh area, this is the way to get it! 

The set up varies a little from farmer to farmer. 

But basically, CSA subscribers pay a farmer ahead of time for a share of the farm's produce.  Then, when harvesting begins (which is usually in May), each subscriber can pick up a weekly portion of freshly harvested organic produce. 

Most farms have organized a local pick up station in Raleigh if they are further from the city.

Some farms offer a lower fee in trade for a "Working Share", or a set number of hours of labor on the farm, usually about 12.  That actually sounds like fun! 

What kinds of produce are available in the Raleigh area?

Try:

Strawberries, herbs, squash, zuchinni, cucumbers, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, kale, greens, eggplants, peppers, peas, watermelon, tomatoes, hot peppers, honey, molasses, and eggs.  There's even meat and wild shrimp! 

When should you sign up?

Many of the local farms who run CSA programs have long waiting lists.  Most CSAs are full by February, and reservations are commonly made in December for the following year's produce.  So if you're interested in fresh, local produce, you'll probably want to decide on a farm now and sign up as soon as possible!

Here's just a few of the local farms that offer Community Supported Agriculture programs.  Click the links to find out more about fees and produce offered.

Hilltop Farms - Willow Springs NC  919-552-5541

Double-T Farm - Garner, NC  919-215-8915

Coon Rock Farm - Hillsborough, NC  919-732-4168

FreshTables CSA Farm - Apex, NC  919-362-4717

Beausol Gardens - Pittsboro, NC  919-545-0204

Four Can Farm - Pittsboro, NC  919-428-1641

Find a whole list of local Raleigh farms (or farms in any other area across the United States) at www.localharvest.org!

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Tanya Leslie - Potter Extraordinaire

I met a great artist at the Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival in Cary last Saturday.  Her work is absolutely incredible, so I just had to share!

Tanya Leslie has been creating original pottery for the past 11 years or so.

Nothing else I saw matched the depth and detail in the floral designs seen here.

Notice all those color variations!

It's not surprising that Tanya's booth was very busy - she's a friendly artist with a great laugh and smile. 

She lives and works in Boonesville, Virginia, but travels to arts and crafts shows throughout the area to display her works.

Tanya Leslie loves dogs, but judging by the delicate design and details on this one-of-a-kind birdbath, I'd say she loves birdwatching too - and probably spends a lot of time in the garden.

Notice all the different colors incorporated into each level - and the wonderful three dimensional work.

These vases will put any flowers to shame - and are a delight to treasure in a special display area.  Forget the overhead lighting for that painting - direct it onto these colors instead!

Interested in finding out more about Tanya Leslie and her pottery?

Check out her blog at http://tanyaleslie.blogspot.com/, and ask her to come back to North Carolina again real soon! 

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The Artisan's Corner

Renaissance Costumes in North Carolina

I've always had a strong interest in period costumes, and have sewed since I was a little girl.  I've made a few full Rennaissance dresses myself - though mainly as gifts for friends and family members. 

But now I have two small children - and all the parents out there know what happens to free time after becoming a mother!  My son is just turned 4, and it's been, hmmmm, just about 4 years since I had enough time to sew anything.

My husband and I recently attended the great Rennaissance Faire that visits Raleigh each year, and he saw me eyeing the costumes - like I do at every Faire!  This time he insisted upon purchasing me a wonderful costume for my birthday - you can see it here.

For the first time, I own a Renassiance costume made by someone else, and I have nothing but praise for "The Artisan's Corner"!

I was impressed by all the detailing, and the fabrics used.  No zippers on this costume - just traditional ties and buttons. 

"The Artisan's Corner" is based near Winston-Salem, not too far from Raleigh, and can be found at a variety of festivals, such as:

NC RENAISSANCE FAIR - RALEIGH, NC
Loch Norman Highland Games - HUNTERSVILLE, NC
Triad Highland Games - HIGH POINT, NC
Bethabara CELTIC FESTIVAL - Winston-Salem, NC
Animazement - Durham, NC

"The Artisan's Corner" is just one more example of the wonderful businesses and products that can be found in North Carolina!

Looking for local Piedmont North Carolina produce, cheese, meat, and more?

How about someplace to grab lunch that offers a wide variety of freshly prepared foods, including vegetarian and vegan choices? 

Or even some unique entertainment opportunities and local wine tastings? 

Check out Chatham Marketplace, on 15-501 in Pittsboro, NC.  

If you're anywhere near Chatham County, come visit this organic Co-Op grocery store, located in the Chatham Mills building just a half mile north of the famous Pittsboro traffic circle. 

You'll find unique entertainment opportunities that change every month. 

To find out activities are available this weekend, click here.

Walk inside the marketplace, and one of the first things you'll notice is the small signs on the produce bins. 

Each item is marked with it's point of origin.  These red potatoes came from California, and the Yukon Gold potatoes came from Maine. 

If you've ever wondered exactly how far something traveled, or which states produce what at what time of year, you'll have your questions answered every time you shop at the Chatham Marketplace.

ut most of the produce is local, and if you do grow a local product, the Chatham Marketplace might be able to offer you an opportunity to display your goods.  Click here to apply to become a local supplier.

The deli case is full of local and national small farm cheeses, including goat cheese, Brie, and many more.  It's a popular place, no matter what time of day.

All products are held to strict standards:

· No animal testing

· GMO free

· Gluten free

· Fair Trade

· Hormone and antibiotic free meats

· Free range eggs and meats

· Certified organic

· High fiber

· Minimally processed ( lots of the processed foods have little or no food colorings, and fewer chemical preservatives)

• Imported cheeses from small European farms that uphold centuries old family recipes and traditions

And I was even proudly shown new lines of eco-friendly laundry soaps and household cleaners. 

One difference between a Co-op and a "regular" grocery store is that members of the community "own" the store, and can even share in the profits to an extent. 

The Chatham Marketplace has 1100 owners, and is actively looking for more.  Owners get special discounts, have volunteer opportunities which they can exchange for other benefits, and have a yearly "patronage refund" based on the amount of shopping done during the year.

To find out more about being a Co-Op owner, click here. 

Products held to these high standards include honey, wine, herbal teas, goats milk soaps, top of the line vitamins, herbs, homeopathic remedies, natural first aid care, natural and organic body care products, and kid's natural remedies.

Whenever I'm near Pittsboro, I can't resist stopping in a picking up a couple of loaves of fresh Sourdough bread.   The Chatham Marketplace bakery is one of the few local bakeries I know about that can give me the taste and feel of authentic San Francisco sourdough - I highly recommend it! 

So if you're going to be in Chatham County, you may want to check out all of the unique offerings at the Chatham Marketplace in Pittsboro. 

Or stop in for a wine tasting - there are many terrific local wineries, and the Chatham Marketplace hosts a different winery at every event. 

Enjoy!

Raleigh and the Triangle Area

Whether you're looking at relocating to Raleigh to start your career, to find a friendly place to raise a family, or retiring in a terrific climate, Raleigh and the Research Park Triangle has something to offer you. Great schools, lots of lakes and golf courses, top-rated cultural centers, universities, and hospitals - and all only two hours to the ocean and three hours to the mountains - it's no wonder that Raleigh is a "Best Place to Live"!

You may also be interested in these popular articles:

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Copyright 2008 by Stanton Homes.