Friday the 31th 🪓

👋 Good morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, October 30, 2025 and this is the 43rd weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Happy Halloween-eve!

A quick welcome to 52 new subscribers over the past week, and a huge thank you to everyone who has reached out over this past week with supportive comments, and the most donations in a single week that we’ve received ever! Those donations will buy me a lot of coffee (or will cover 5 months of expenses for this email platform). That helps me keep going and I appreciate you all so much! 🫶

Did you know that it has been 11 years since Halloween fell on a Friday? I’m really looking forward to not having to wake my kids up for school after they (and me) eat a pound of candy before bed.

But the fun won’t stop on Friday! There are a bunch of things to do through the weekend to keep the Halloween party going.

From a special Halloween edition of the Apex Farmers Market tonight at Sweetwater to costume parties and a spookyard takeover, we have a bunch of cool events listed under Things to Do down below.

AND, if you can believe it, when you wake from your candy coma on Saturday and head into these weekend events, it’ll be November!

So, make sure to take a peak at the A Look Ahead section towards the bottom of this email to view a few of the upcoming events for the month of November (more to come in future newsletters, of course).

A couple of holidays to note: Veterans Day is November 11. Thanksgiving is November 27. Town offices will be closed the 27th and 28th.

I also want to point out that November has been officially designated as American Indian Heritage Month in the Town of Apex. This proclamation serves to raise awareness about Indigenous peoples and their history, achievements, and contemporary lives.

Miscellaneous:

🧑‍🌾 Farmer’s Market - Updated Hours
Heads up to you early risers, this weekend’s Apex Farmer’s Market will start its winter hours now through March, which means the market will start at 9am instead of 8am. Speaking of the Farmers Market - there will be a special evening market tonight at Sweetwater (details below).

🗳️ Early Voting in Apex
If you have not voted yet for the 3 open Town Council positions, you can still do so via early voting at the John M. Brown Community Center today and tomorrow from 11am-6pm or Saturday 8am-3pm. You can check the current wait times here. If you do not participate in early voting, your final chance to vote will be on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 6:30am - 7:30pm. You can find your polling place here. In all cases, you will need to show your valid ID.

🅿️ Saunders Lot Phase 2 Complete
The former gravel lot area is now complete and reopened to the public. Phase 3 is now closed for construction (the smaller area by Scratch). This section will contain new handicap parking spaces and this final phase of the Saunders lot is estimated to be complete by November 7.

📕 September-December Program Guide
The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources department publishes its program guides three times per year. Just a reminder that the Fall (Sep-Dec) 2025 Program Guides are now available. View the Program Guide here. (or the Senior 55+ program guide here)

🛒 Wake County Food Resources
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has directed the NC Department of Health and Human Services to pause all November SNAP benefits effective November 1. This will affect 82,000 Wake County residents. At wake.gov/findfood, families can access an interactive map with food pantries, neighborhood mini-pantries and free meal sites across the county.

🐶🐈️ No Adoption Fees
From now through Nov. 9, all adoption fees at the Wake County Animal Center will be waived as part of the “Spooky Season, Sweet Snuggles” campaign. As of last week’s data, the shelter has 120 dogs, one puppy, 33 cats and 15 kittens available for adoption, along with 91 adoptable dogs and cats in foster care. View the adoption gallery here.

🕑 Sleep in on Sunday
Don’t forget to change the clock on your microwave this Sunday. Daylight saving time ends Nov 2nd at 2am when it will fall back and repeat the 1 o’clock hour. What are you going to do with your extra hour?!

🗑️ Pumpkin Disposal
When it’s time to get rid of your pumpkins, Apex yard waste customers can (1) drop them off at the Public Works Department from Nov 3 - Dec 15, (2) place them on the curb during the weeks of Nov 3 and Dec 1, or (3) place them in your trash cart.

Things to Do This Week in Apex:

Today, October 30

🎃 Halloween Evening Market
5pm - 8pm | Sweetwater
hosted by Apex Farmers Market

♟️ Teen Chess Club
6:30pm - 7:30pm | Eva Perry Library
no registration required

🥁 AHS Band Fall Concert
7pm - 9pm | AHS Auditorium

Friday, October 31

🦇 Halloween Event
10am-5pm | Glossy Nails

🪦 The Spookyard Takeover
5pm - 2am | The Backyard Bar

🧟 Pints & Frights Costume Party
8pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

☮️ Halloween 1960s Style
8pm - 11pm | Peak of the Vine

Saturday, November 1

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
9am - 12pm | The Depot

🛍️ Art & Gift Market
9am - 3pm | Apex UMC

🪢 SuperFun Saturday
10:30am - 12:30pm | The Halle
Ages 4-12

💀 Day of the Dead Party
8:30pm | JD’s Tavern

👻 Boos and Booze Halloween Party
9pm | Rudy’s Pub

Sunday, November 2

🌶️ Annual Chili Cook-off
2pm | Peakway Taps

🎹 Classical Concert Series
3pm | The Halle

Wednesday, November 5

🦸‍♂️ Wednesday Night Movie
7:30pm - 10pm | The Halle
“Superman”

🔠 Music Bingo
7:30pm | Rudy’s Pub

Local Business Updates

🫟 Team-Building Events
Mad Splatter is a really cool spot over in Beaver Creek that is fun for adults and kids alike, offering canvas painting, pottery and, of course, their mad splatter rooms.

For the month of November, they are waiving all studio fees when you reserve online for pottery and canvas painting. It’s a great place to host parties, and recently added Workplace Team Building options as a part of their corporate wellness initiatives.

🥞 Sunday Brunch
Southern Peak Brewery has paired with Chef Patrick (NC Burger / Patrice), and The Botanist Bean for a custom brunch menu that includes $5 mimosas. This Sunday, 10/2 from 10am-2pm.

🥪 The Sandwich Generation
I learned a new term - the Sandwich Generation - those of us caring for aging parents while still raising our children. There’s a new 501(c)(3) non-profit that started in Apex called Sage Crossing.

Their mission is to enrich the lives of seniors living with dementia through purposeful programs that nurture intergenerational connection, nature-based engagement, community service projects, and compassionate caregiver support—promoting dignity, purpose, and belonging at every stage of aging.

Their group respite program starts Mid-November. Individuals and/or families looking for support, individuals looking to volunteer, or those who want to support with their donations can learn more here.

🌡️ Degree Wellness Opening Soon
The new wellness center in Sweetwater offering cold plunge, red light therapy, booster shots, NAD+ Anti-Aging, IV Drips, full body cryotherapy and more will be opening in January. Right now, you can reserve a founding membership for a VIP week, discounted rate and other benefits.

🍻 Chili & Mac Showdown
South Line Brewing Company recently opened their second location here in Apex. On Sunday, November 16, bring your crew, taste your way to a favorite, and cheer on the competitors in the Chili & Mac Showdown as they compete for Best Chili, Best Mac and Most Creative. Judging takes place at 1pm but doors and samples will begin earlier. Links for tickets can be found here. (Note: the image says Saturday, but the 16th is a Sunday and the ticket links say Sunday, so I’m pretty sure its Sunday the 16th).

🦆 What’s the Word on Groovy Duck Bakery?
Glad you asked. We spoke with the owner! The expected grand opening is January 2026. Learn more about the name, what all they offer, future job opportunities, see some photos from their Raleigh location, and even more here.

Civil News:

🔌 Utility Billing Update
A bill redesign to provide more detail is in progress and expected within the next couple of cycles.

🏢 Data Center Update
The developer is anticipated to resubmit rezoning/UDO amendments around Nov 3rd. TRC review is expected Nov 20th. A joint Town Council/Planning Board work session is scheduled for Jan 22nd. A second neighborhood meeting is tentatively planned for February. The earliest anticipated public hearing would be in March 2026. During Tuesday’s Town Council Meeting Public Forum, several residents spoke out against the data center including topics like issues with the “light” industrial definition, an interesting economic perspective on unrealistic revenue expectations, issues with the EAB’s vote, and more. It’s a long public forum but I’d encourage you to watch when you have time.

🏛️ BOA Recommendation Response
There was quite a bit of a disagreement at the end of the September 9 council meeting in regard’s to the Mayor’s recommendation on an applicant for the the Board of Adjustment. Long story short, council members strongly objected to a specific individual and provided commentary about that individual as their reasoning to decline. That individual spoke during public forum on Tuesday to respond to those accusations. You can watch it here.

⚾ Pleasant Park Update
The final design phase for the park's remaining elements is beginning. This phase includes four baseball/softball fields, a fieldhouse, a large shelter, and a cross-country trail. The earliest construction could begin is fall 2027, pending full funding.

🪏 Groundbreaking at Veridea
Veridea is the $3 billion mixed-use community, sometimes coined the new “mini-city”, about two miles south of downtown sitting along NC55. On Tuesday, New York-based RXR broke ground on the first multifamily residences inside Veridea.

A newly released rendering shows two five-story apartment buildings called Summit House. This new apartment complex inside of Veridea will have 291 units, a 399-car parking lot, pool, and fitness center.

🗓️ Upcoming Town Meetings

Thursday, November 6
Planning Committee
9am - 11am | Town Hall

Monday, November 10
Planning Board Meeting
4:30pm | Town Hall

Thursday, November 13
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead

November 6 | 5pm - 7pm
🐕️ Spooky Tails | Hunter Street Park

November 8 | 9am - 8:30pm
𖥂 Sweetwater Grand Opening | Sweetwater

November 8 | 11am - 1pm
🧺 Eco Picnic Fundraiser | Apex Nature Park

November 11 | 9:30am - 10:30am
🎖️ Veterans Day Ceremony | Downtown

November 15 | 11am - 12pm
🏡 Neighborhood Beautification Grant Info Session | Halle

November 15 | 12pm - 6pm
🌎️ Holiday Around the World | Sweetwater

November 16 | 1pm
🌶️ Chili & Mac Showdown | South Line Brewing Apex

November 16 | 3pm
🎷 JazzLive | The Halle

November 22 | 10am
🦃 Turkey Trot 5k Run | Apex Community Park

November 22 | 10:30am - 3:30pm
⚯ ͛ A Day at Hogwarts | The Studio

November 29 | All Day
🛍️ Small Business Saturday | Apex

In Case You Missed it

🍋‍🟩🍋 Lime & Lemon Now Open
The Indian Grill & Bar, Lime & Lemon, is now open. They are located at 2025 Creekside Landing Drive in Beaver Creek Crossing.

🍛 Kaara Modern Indian Restaurant
Now open. They are located at 2700 Stokesdale Ave, Unit 120 in Sweetwater.

🍺 South Line Brewing Co.
South Line Brewing Co has created a new taproom and event space which is now open at 2141 E Williams Street in Apex. Learn more here.

💰 Budget Priorities Survey
The Town is asking you how you would choose to spend $5 million (pretend) dollars across the five strategic goal areas. Complete the survey now through December 1.

🛣️ Salem Streetscape Update
The property/easement acquisition is almost complete meaning the bidding phase will begin. Expectation is to award the bid and start construction in January. Adopted design highlights and new concept imagery has been added here.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

As always, if you have any ideas of how to make this newsletter better, want to nominate a local business or organization to be featured, or anything else, please respond to this email or email me directly at [email protected]

See you next Thursday... 😘