Siler City
Siler City, NC · Business
Raleigh News & Observer
Triangle reservoirs see lowest water levels of 2026 as drought intensifies
After a period of recovery this summer, the Triangle’s biggest reservoirs are all seeing dwindling water levels as North Carolina’s drought has stretched into the fall. Central North Carolina has been experiencing a drought since August. Both Wake and Durham counties are currently in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. While rainfall this summer provided some relief, hot, dry weather over the past two months has “caused drought conditions to rapidly worsen or reemerge in some areas,” the National Weather Service’s Raleigh office wrote in an Oct. 27 alert. As a result, current water levels in the area’s biggest reservoirs are nearing the lowest levels recorded since this summer, when several of the region’s cities put in place water use restrictions to conserve their water supply. Durham is nearing the trigger for Stage 3 drought restrictions, after enacting water use restrictions in June, said James Lim, the Department of Water Management’s water efficiency manager. Stage 2 restrictions are still in place, and the city is seeking ways to avoid enacting more restrictive rules. Durham’s main reservoirs, Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir, are even lower than they were this summer. The city’s reservoirs are 33% full, compared
spectacularmag.com
M&F Bank, Optus Bank Merger Could Reshape Black Wealth and Economic Opportunity Across the Carolinas
For generations, Black-owned banks have provided something many traditional financial institutions did not: access, opportunity, and a commitment to communities too often overlooked. Now, a proposed merger involving Durham’s historic M&F Bank could significantly expand that mission—and potentially change the financial landscape for Black families and businesses across the Carolinas.
yieldpro.com
High Street Residential Delivers 370-unit Residential Community The Henley in Apex North Carolina
High Street Residential (“HSR”), the residential subsidiary of Trammell Crow Company (“TCC”), has delivered The Henley, a four-story, 370-unit residential community. The development is located in Apex, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh and one of the fastest-growing and most desirable towns in the country. Located...
Raleigh News & Observer
discoverwakeforest.org
Raleigh News & Observer
National retailer opening first Raleigh store this fall. Here's what we know
Publicly traded national company Floor & Decor is officially opening their first Raleigh warehouse store and design center in November. Headquartered in Atlanta, the specialty retailer of hard-surface flooring for professionals and homeowners will host the grand opening of the 3131 Capital Blvd. location on Thursday, Nov 5. “Opening Floor & Decor’s first store in Raleigh is an exciting milestone for our team,” Jackie Wint, the store’s chief executive merchant, said in a press release. Floor & Decor operates more than 280 warehouse stores and five design studios nationwide. The brand offers an assortment of flooring, including tile, wood, laminate, vinyl, and natural stone, along with accessories, wall tile, installation materials, and more at affordable prices, according to the press release . Founded in 2000, Floor & Decor seeks to “improve lives by improving spaces,” according to their website . In addition to Raleigh, the national retailer maintains North Carolina locations in Fayetteville, Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Greensboro. “For more than 25 years, Floor & Decor has focused on making quality, trend-forward hard-surface flooring accessible to everyone, and we’re proud to bring that commitment to the Raleigh community,” Wint said. “We look forward to serving our new customers and helping bring
mindfullyamerican.com
4 Restaurant Chains Closing North Carolina Locations in 2026
Flavor Hills opened its Durham restaurant in December 2025. Then in mid-August 2026, the brand shut that restaurant and its Downtown Raleigh location, effective immediately. Here are the restaurant chains that have already closed or are closing North Carolina locations in 2026. 1. Hickory Tavern. Hickory Tavern, the Charlotte-born sports...
WRAL News
Johnston Co. residents lose water, power and internet during fiber line construction
Residents of the Adams Point neighborhood near Garner say they have lost water, power and internet for periods of time over the last week. They blame ongoing construction to install a T-Mobile fiber line. Multiple residents reached out to WRAL about their frustrations. One woman said in a text message...
takemetotn.com
This North Carolina Amish Bulk Store Sends You Home With Way More Than You Came For
Plenty of people walk into a small country store planning to grab one thing. Most of them walk out with two bags and a new favorite errand. In the tiny Chatham County town of Moncure, just off US 1, a family-run shop has quietly turned quick stops into full pantry hauls. It stocks bulk baking staples, Amish-made goods, fresh pies, and a candy wall that can derail even the most disciplined shopping list.
hoodline.com
Downtown Cary Could Get 400 Apartments as Developer Eyes East Chatham Street
A longtime Cary landowner wants to bring as many as 400 apartments to a 3.6-acre stretch of East Chatham Street in downtown Cary, folding in ground-floor retail, resident amenities and a parking deck on land where a Subway and Circus restaurant once stood. The project is still a concept, not a formal filing, and it would need the town's blessing before a single wall goes up.
raleighmag.com
Raleigh Zoning Limits What Can Open Next Door
Are Raleigh’s zoning laws protecting neighborhood charm—or zoning it out?. Raleigh loves to talk about preserving neighborhood character. But here’s the irony: Some of the very places that give our favorite neighborhoods theirs might not be allowed under today’s zoning laws. From corner groceries to neighborhood...
Raleigh News & Observer
After an abrupt exit, retail merchandising carts are back at Crabtree Mall
After a brief hiatus, the retail merchandising carts are back at Crabtree Valley Mall, with mall owners, Macerich, posting leasing signs on units in the hallways this week. In September 2025, retail merchandising unit (RMUs) operators were informed that they would have to leave at the end of the month. After buying the mall in June 2025, Macerich shared plans of $60 million worth of upgrades for a “light, bright and more modern” look, The News & Observer previously reported. “The relaunch of the RMU program is an exciting part of Crabtree’s ongoing transformation,” Macerich said in a statement. “As we continue to modernize the center and elevate the guest experience, we’re introducing a new generation of RMUs featuring a sleek, contemporary design that complements the center’s refreshed look and feel.” Retail merchandising units are different from kiosks. The RMUs are mall-owned, movable carts that the property provides and maintains, with tenants renting both the cart and the space. Kiosks are custom-built and maintained by the tenant, with ownership leasing only the space. The mall’s kiosk program has never left. “The updated RMUs feature a streamlined design that supports improved traffic flow and space utilization while providing unique concepts an
Raleigh News & Observer
Cary could get up to 400 new apartments - if the town says yes
A developer wants to build up to 400 apartments in a seven-story, mixed-use project on East Chatham Street in downtown Cary, but the site’s current zoning caps buildings at 45 feet. Developer Jeff Peterson has not filed a formal application. His team will meet with Cary’s Development Review Committee on Nov. 4 to review his plans before deciding whether to file a rezoning request , which would ultimately require Town Council approval. Preliminary plans include 13,000 to 14,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, about 12,000 square feet of amenities and a parking deck with roughly 492 spaces, he said. Cline architect Bryan Johnson said the firm’s preliminary studies show 350 to 375 apartments. Peterson said the project could approach 400 units depending on the height and density Cary ultimately approves. The firm has not yet designed the building’s exterior. The current concept wraps apartments and ground-floor retail around a roughly six-level parking deck. “The answer is always parking,” Johnson said when asked about the biggest design challenge. Why 45 feet matters The 3.6-acre site combines four parcels at 603, 605, 607 and 611 E. Chatham St . All four are zoned Town Center Mixed Use, which limits buildings to 45