It's Hot AF! (Apex Friends) 🥵

👋 Good morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, June 26, 2025 and this is the 25th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Before we jump in to all the good stuff, can you do me a favor?

If you are a local business owner, know a local business owner, know somebody in town who is amazing, are aware of a cool upcoming event - or anything else that people in the community should know about… can you email me?!

I do get a lot of emails already to help spread awareness, but I need more!

I had some really cool conversations this week.

I spoke to the owner of SolBol coming to Sweetwater. Her passion for the business, the product and the people they serve was so refreshing to see (See info on the Grand Opening below).

I spoke with the President of South Wake Conservationists who puts together a lot of really cool events (see Things To Do for Sunday below).

I spoke with the owner of Fratelli’s who is super excited about their new weekly events to bring the community together (more info down below).

I spoke with Michael, Assistant Chief of Professional Standards for Apex Fire Department. They are building out a new strategic plan for the fire department and I could really see his commitment to getting feedback from the community and his desire to provide the best possible service (see Things to Do for Monday below on how you can help).

I also spoke with a resident who is a 10-year disabled Marine veteran who does some really cool things and was just selected (as one of just 50 people in the country) to participate in something very unique (story coming soon).

Not only is it personally gratifying to get to meet all of the incredible people of Apex. But I also have a really strong desire to serve the community and help spread awareness about the people, places, and things that make Apex the Peak of Good Living.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have something to share - a business, your business, a cool person, yourself …or whatever else it may be. It’s free! 🫶 

Miscellaneous:

🌻 National Park and Recreation Month
Every July, we celebrate National Park and Recreation Month here in Apex. For 2025, the theme is "Build Together, Play Together," which highlights how together we’re building and maintaining accessible, inclusive and sustainable parks and recreation programs that deliver powerful benefits to our communities.

🎁 Peakfest Gives Back
Earlier this week, Peakfest Chair, Jeff, gave a quick update to the Town Council stating that over the next 10 days, they will be giving back $30,000 to the nonprofits that signed up for their grants.

🥪 Free Meals for Kids This Summer
Wake County is making sure children 18 and under can enjoy healthy food all summer long with no questions asked and no registration required. Available for breakfast and lunch at 16 sites across the county.

🎒 School Lunch Prices Up
For the fourth year in a row, Wake County school lunch prices will go up by another 25 cents to maintain the child nutrition program which is required by law to be financially self-supporting.

🏞️ Help Shape the Future of Wake County Parks
Help shape the future of Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space. The Comprehensive Master Plan survey is now open. Take a few minutes to tell them what you like about the parks now and what you’d love to see in our parks over the next decade.

🩺 Get A Free Health Screening
Wake County Public Libraries has partnered with Advance Community Health to bring vital healthcare resources directly to the community. From April to August, Advance Community Health will provide free health screenings and resources through weekly visits at 11 library locations across the county. They will be in Apex next Wednesday (July 2) at Middle Creek Community Library from 9am - noon.

💼 Part-Time Summer Help (in review)
I received over 50 emails inquiring about the part-time summer position. I’m running a bit behind as I go through them. Today is National Forgiveness Day so by law you have to forgive me for the delay in responding 🙂 This town is so full of incredibly talented and amazing people. It’s made it quite difficult! If you have emailed me about this position, you will hear from me one way or another before the weekend. Thank you for your patience!
 

Things to Do This Week in Apex:

Today, June 26

🍺 Fill’r Up Thursday
11am - 9pm | Peakway Taps

🐝 An Evening in the Garden
5pm - 7pm | Apex Nature Park

Saturday, June 28

🍅 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

👩‍🌾 She Farms Apex
9am - 2pm | See Link for Participating Farms

🎉 Grand Opening
10am | Bless Your Heart Boutique

👨‍🎨 Art Camp for Grown Ups
10am - 3pm | The Studio

🌿 Invasive Species Removal Workday
10am - 12pm | Apex Community Park

🛒 The Backyard Market
2pm - 7pm | The Backyard Bar

🎸 Live Music with Southpaw Soul
7pm - 10pm | Tap Station

🫏 Rhythm & Reels: Shrek
Dusk | Nature Park Amphitheater

Sunday, June 29

🐾 Animal Signs Discovery Walk
1pm - 3pm | Harris Energy & Environmental Center

🌭 Snack Sunday (Summer BBQ)
2pm | Peakway Taps

Monday, June 30

🚒 Fire Dept. Public Engagement Meeting
6pm - 7:30pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, July 1

🎤 Salem Street Music Club Open Mic
6pm - 9pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

☘️ BogTurtle (Irish/Celtic Band)
6pm - 9pm | Doherty's Irish Pub

Wednesday, July 2

🫐 🥣 🍓 Grand Opening Celebration
3pm - 6pm | SolBol

🎆 Sip & Paint Fireworks (with Apex Fire Dept)
5:30pm - 7pm | Wine & Design

🎬️ Wednesday Night Movie
7:30pm - 10pm | Halle Cultural Arts

Local Business

🚘 Hanna Infinity
Hanna Imports purchased Crossroads Infinity of Apex off Hwy 64 for $11.06M. It is now called Hanna Infinity.

🌶️ No More Triple Dippers
After 22 years, the Chili’s in Apex is now closed. According to the Mayor, “the team has a landing spot for future employment.”

🥤 Cookout Coming Soon?
You may recall that Cookout was very close to opening up in Apex a little while back, but it fell through. It’s now officially back on the table as they have submitted plans at a location on E. Williams St.

✂️ Grand Openings - Sweetwater

Bless Your Heart Boutique (Saturday, June 28)

Opening its second location in Apex on Saturday, June 28th starting at 10am.

What to Expect:

→ A curated collection of your favorite brands — Liverpool, Dear John, Pistola, Gorjana, Kendra Scott, Dolce Vita, HOBO, Susan Shaw, and so many more!

→ FREE Scout shopper tote with any $25 purchase (while supplies last!)

→ Pouring prosecco starting at noon

→ Raffle prizes all day long – no purchase necessary to enter!

📍 2701 Lawnview Ln

SoBol (Wednesday, July 2)

SoBol (Acai bowls & beyond) is having its Grand Opening on July 2nd at their new Apex location in Sweetwater.

Enjoy a Classic Acai Bowl for just $5 from 3pm-6pm.

→ Locally owned (same owners as SoBol Cary)

→ Mon-Thur & Sun: 8am-9pm

→ Fri & Sat: 8am-10pm

→ Blend in-house, dairy-free, no added sugars, vegan-friendly

→ Premium ingredients and take allergies seriously

→ Cater small or large orders

→ Cary location is rated 5-stars on EZ-Cater

📍1451 Richardson Rd, Suite 124

🎂 Happy Birthday to 621 Productions!

621 Productions is an award-winning video production company. They specialize in the transfer of old media (VHS, 8MM, Reel to Reel Audio, etc) into digital formats.

And they just recently celebrated their 20th birthday / anniversary!

You can find them downtown at 118 N Salem Street (next door to their other business, Alleyway Bookstore).

🔦 Spotlight: Fratelli’s Delicatessen

We’ve talked about Fratelli’s before, but… we’re going back for seconds (and if you’ve eaten there, you’ll know why we want more!)

The family-owned deli in Sweetwater has started hosting weekly entertainment!

Don’t miss out on:

→ Music Bingo Thursdays from 6-8pm

→ Live Music Saturdays from 5:30-8:30pm

📍1481 Richardson Road, Suite 107

Civil News:

⛓️‍💥 Utility Payment Blackout
The town is transitioning to a new online payment system, My Account. To prepare for this, there will be a blackout period from June 28 - July 6. During this time, online and phone payments will be unavailable. (Make sure to check your July utility bill for your new account number!)

🚰 Utility Billing Recalculation
To request an audit of your utility bill, fill out this form online. You have until July 31.

🌳 Lawrence Property Rezoning Approved
The council unanimously approved the annexation and rezoning for a 57-home single-family development on Olive Chapel Road. The project was noted for its low density (1.6 units per acre), preservation of 40% of the site as a conservation area, and a commitment to relocate and preserve the historic H.T. Lawrence farmhouse. Despite residents' concerns about traffic, the council concluded the new road connections would ultimately improve traffic flow in the area.

🏘️ Affordable Housing Policy Strengthened
Council approved updates to the Affordable Housing Incentive Zoning Policy to encourage the creation of more affordable units. Key changes include requiring developers of 10 or more homes to contribute to affordable housing (down from 20) and increasing developer incentives like density bonuses to make projects more viable.

🔑 Homeownership Incentive Pilot Program
A new pilot program was approved to help moderate-income families achieve homeownership. The program will use $400,000 from the town's affordable housing fund to provide a $40,000 subsidy to developers for each of the 10 homes in the pilot, reducing the final sales price for qualifying homebuyers. This incentive can be combined with other state and county down payment assistance programs.

🗓️ Important Upcoming Dates

Thursday, June 26
CommUniversity: Starting a Neighborhood Association
6pm - 8pm | John Brown Community Center

Saturday, June 28
Mayor Gilbert ‘In the Community’ Town Hall
10:30am | Apex Elementary Ball Field

In Case You Missed it:

🚀 LaunchAPEX Applications Now Open
LaunchAPEX is a free program that offers business training through Wake Technical Community College, access to financial resources, business mentoring, and networking with other entrepreneurs. Applications are open until July 15.

🅿️📱 Smart Parking Mobile App
You can now see real-time information about the number of available parking spaces in four of the parking lots within a short walk of downtown. You can download the app on iOS or on Android.

🥒 18+ Pickleball Open Gym
Did you know that you can play pickleball at the John M Brown Community Center? On most M/W/F, open gym for 18+ pickleball takes place from 12pm - 2pm. View the Open Gym Schedule.

A Look Ahead:

July 3, 2025
Fireworks Frenzy
5pm - 10pm | Hunter Street Park

July 4, 2025
Olde Fashioned Fourth of July
9am - 1pm | Downtown Apex

July 12, 2025
Concert Series: Também
7pm - 8:30pm | Nature Park Amphitheater

July 17, 2025
Family Trivia Night
6pm - 8pm | Apex Senior Center

July 19, 2025
Moana 2 Movie Night
8:45pm - 10:45pm | Nature Park Amphitheater

July 26, 2025
Summer Slam 3v3 Basketball
11am - 3pm | John Brown Community Center

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... 😘