Note from James
Welcome to Issue No. 11
Good people of Cary,
Spring is right around the corner, and Cary is not slowing down.
This week we've got two big business development stories. One involves a new concept coming to one of downtown Cary's most beloved addresses, and the other means our already grocery-rich town is about to get even more so.
We'll also take a look at a great week of events, and I'm spotlighting one of the best dinner spots in Fenton that I think deserves more attention.
As always, thanks for being here and for supporting local.
James
Report No. 11: The Business Issue
Weekly News
New Tenant for Old Cotton House Building Announced, a 3rd Whole Foods Opening in Cary
Vino & Tap to Open in Historic Downtown Cary Building Previously Home to Cotton House
A new wine and beer bar is coming to one of downtown Cary's most beloved addresses.
Vino & Tap is set to open at 307 S. Academy Street, the historic Pasmore House, which longtime Cary residents will recognize as the former home of Cotton House Craft Brewers. Cotton House, a neighborhood staple since 2019, closed its doors for the last time on November 17, 2025, after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier that year.
The new tenant is taking the space in a similar, yet slightly different direction. Vino & Tap describes itself as a relaxed neighborhood wine bar focused on exceptional champagne cocktails, thoughtfully selected wines by the glass and bottle, and a rotating craft draft beer program.
No official opening date has been announced yet, but the bar has a website live at vinoandtap.com and a email sign-up for those who want to be the first to know about events and openings (though it doesn’t seem to be working at the moment).
The Pasmore House has been a gathering place for the Cary community for years. It'll be interesting to see how Vino & Tap puts its own stamp on the space.
Additional reading: Vino & Tap Website, Vino & Tap on Facebook
A Third Whole Foods Is Coming to Cary. Here's Where.
Cary is about to become one of the most Whole Foods-dense towns in North Carolina.
A spokesperson for the grocery chain confirmed to the Triangle Business Journal that a new location will open at Preston Corners, the shopping center at the intersection of Northwest Cary Parkway and High House Road.
The store will fill the space left behind by the Lowes Foods that closed at 930 High House Road in May 2025. No opening date has been announced.
The new store will join the two Whole Foods locations Cary already has, making it a rare market with three locations of the upscale grocer.
For residents in the Preston area who lost their neighborhood grocery store last spring, the news is a welcome update, even if the wait for an opening date continues.
Additional reading: Triangle Business Journal
Quick Updates & Things to Know
Vote for The Nest: Downtown Cary Park's playground has been nominated again by USA Today's 10Best for best public playground. Last year, The Nest took first place. Voting is open through April 6. Vote here.
Spring is coming: The warmer weather is arriving and things are starting to bloom around town. If you're looking for a great place to take it in, why not take a stroll on one of Cary’s 100+ miles of greenways.
Women’s History Month
Women's History Month: Women-Owned Businesses to Support in Cary
Support women in our community!
March is Women's History Month, and the timing couldn't be better to highlight some of the women-owned businesses making Cary a more interesting place.
This Friday at Downtown Cary Park, the monthly Cary Night Market takes on a special theme. Every vendor will be a woman-owned or woman-run business. It's a great opportunity to discover local makers you might not have found otherwise, and to put your money where your values are.
If the Night Market puts you in the mood to keep exploring, here are a few women-owned spots worth knowing:
RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar — one of the most unique spots of the downtown Cary bar scene, and a fun spot for a night out
Esteamed Coffee — a fixture in the heart of downtown with a great mission, and a fantastic place for your morning espresso
Gather Goods Co. — a gift shop, coworking space, and classroom right next to the downtown Cary library. A local staple for curated home goods, local artisan products, and hands-on classes.
The Night Market is Friday, March 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Downtown Cary Park. Free to attend.
Interested in partnering with us? Reach out at [email protected] and let's find something that works for you.
Events
03/18/2026 – 03/24/2026
What: The weekly winter market continues through the end of March, with locally grown produce, coffee roasters, bakers, and artisan goods.
Where: East Park Street, next to Downtown Cary Park (327 S. Academy St.)
When: Sat, March 21 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
What: The monthly Night Market returns to Downtown Cary Park with a special Women's History Month theme. All vendors will be women-owned or women-run businesses. Food trucks, artisan goods, live music, and entertainment. Free admission.
Where: Downtown Cary Park (327 S. Academy St.)
When: Fri, March 20 | 5 to 9 p.m.
What: Applause! Cary Youth Theatre presents its spring production. Mr. Toad, Ratty, Mole, and Badger take the stage in a whimsical adventure full of crashes, courtrooms, and a daring prison escape. A fun family night out.
Where: Cary Arts Center (101 Dry Avenue)
When: Fri, March 20 | 7:30 p.m. / Sat, March 21 | 7:30 p.m. / Sun, March 22 | 3 p.m.
Weekly Destination
Colletta
Each week, I highlight a spot in Cary that I think you should check out. This week, we're heading to one of the best restaurant experiences Fenton has to offer.
Colletta doesn't need much of an introduction at this point. If you like Italian food, you’ve at least heard of it.
The restaurant opened in September 2022 as the first full-service dining option at Fenton, and it's held its place as one of the best in town ever since.
The name means "collection" in Italian, which fits. The menu is a well-curated compilation of house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, antipasti, and seasonal mains drawing influence from Northern Italy. Everything is made from scratch.
A few things worth ordering: the focaccia to start (house-made), the 15-layer lasagna (one of their flagship dishes), and the spicy soppressata pizza if you want something off the pasta track.
The space is airy, with high ceilings, an open kitchen, dim lights, and a semi-covered patio that's going to be very pleasant as the weather warms up. There's also a private dining room if you have a group or a special occasion coming up.
Colletta offers both à la carte dining and a "For the Table" family-style chef-curated option. If you're going with a few people, the latter is a great way to experience a lot of the menu at once.
Fair warning: it is definitely pricey, but you get what you pay for.
Reservations are encouraged, especially on weekends.
Location: 1 Fenton Main Street, Suite 170
Hours: Mon to Thu 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. / 5 to 10 p.m. | Fri to Sat 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Sun 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Reservations: OpenTable
Website: collettarestaurant.com
Have you been here? Reply to this email and let me know what you think! If you have any other restaurant you want me to feature next, make sure you include that as well.
Report #11 is now complete.
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