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Driving back home from Lilly's Pizza at 5 points, coming through E Chatham, passing Chatham square, all I could think is, Man they really drop the ball on something that would have been cool. I like Downtown Durham, and Downtown Raleigh, but it would be cool if Downtown Cary wasn't so empty(it's cool to be alone sometimes but every time I walk it it's just me and the misses and no one else).
Instead of putting all those international restaurants in a not so attractive shopping center they could have made a Downtown International District and place all of them there. This would attract more folks to the area, give the restaurants more business, and give Downtown some life. Downtown Apex is small but has a lot of nice spots and doesn't feel as space out.
I did not know that a town could "put" private businesses where the town-folk wanted. It was my impressions that businesses located where they could afford the rent, where there was adequate parking, and where they would get the customers they needed.
I did not know that a town could "put" private businesses where the town-folk wanted. It was my impressions that businesses located where they could afford the rent, where there was adequate parking, and where they would get the customers they needed.
Luv4horses this is true but a town can attract private business to said area, at the end of the day, said private business need the town folks to support it, and when private business is a restaurant, a industry that can be volatile, location can be really, really, really good for business. (example of location changing things, The Charlotte Knights)
Any ways just saying that it would have been a cool thing if the town would have worked with business owners, on creating a international district, or international row Downtown.
Cary has grown at a very fast rate. Especially over the last 10-15 years. Now, we hear more and more about the demands for a larger DT area, more shops, more restaurants, greater walkability. This will not spring up overnight. By the time ToC is done, they'll have the most quaint, walkable DT area around. Because that'll attract even more taxpayers.
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The businesses along East Chatham have been there for a LONG time and my understanding is that they are well established and not planning on moving. Chatham Square is a wonderful assortment of international restaurants and stores that is very unique to the triangle. I do wish TOC would do more to highlight it and maybe offer some grant money to help to fix that shopping center up, but in the meantime, most of the businesses there are pretty solid and seem to be doing pretty well without it.
Most of TOC's efforts seem to be on Academy street right now with the Mayton Inn coming this fall (demo started this week) and the new Belle Farm to Table restaurant across from the art center opening next month and a Beer and wine shop opening up around the corner next to the new Cary theater which besides international and indie movies is also a live entertainment venue with things such as comedy, blues, jazz and most recently a revival of the Six String Cafe. Those who see it only as a "2.99 bin movie" theater are pretty shortsighted. The Park with stage as a permanent outdoor venue is being worked on as well and all of the outdoor sculptures and artwork!
Things are coming along nicely in downtown Cary, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Still very excited about the progress being made and trying to patronize as many of the businesses as possible to support the growth.
Funny, I know it's subjective, but I was just riding my bike through DT Cary this morning and thinking about how cool it was, and how much there is to do. I was actually thinking specifically about posting a photo-post here to counter all the "Cary is full of chains and beige" opinions:
I think the movie theater is cool
The drug store food counter is very small town.
In walking distance you have several decent restaurants:
-Bosphorus is Turkish
-Tapai 101 is Chinese/Taiwanese
-Cuban food
-Jamaican Food
-Fine dining at Maxamillians
-a few "cool places" I haven't tried
-Woodies and The Train Station are bar/pubs
There are old buildings
Art Gallaries
Decent Sculptures
Academy Street is beautiful to walk down
The old courthouse is pretty awesome
Farmers Market on the weekends...
I'm sure I missed a few, but for a small town feel, that is sammiched between two cities with a decent scene and more of destinations, I think this is pretty awesome, and is trending in the right direction.
And while Apex is pretty cool (I like it), I don't agree with OP. I've not noticed any ethnic places there (unless you include American version of Mexican and Italian). I like Apex, but I don't see where it accomplishes what the OP wants for Cary any more than Cary does. (It's hopping with people.... ....until about 830 PM on a nice night.)
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