The Smoke-Free Edition

Good people of Cary,

Quick note before we get started: Beehiiv, the platform I use to send this newsletter, paywalled the ability to use custom HTML in its templates (this literally just happened yesterday). It’s expensive, as they also just raised their prices, and it is literally the only feature I would use under their paid plan.

Because of this, the template that launched last week does not work anymore.

I am migrating this newsletter back to my website where I’ll be able to use my old template and keep all artistic control. However, this is a project that will take me longer than a day to do. So, the newsletter is going to be a bit uglier this time around. Everything should be back to normal next week. Thank you for bearing with me.

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Happy October! We are starting to see the very beginnings of the leaves turning, and cooler mornings have arrived. Despite enjoying the warm weather, I am okay with this hot and dry summer being over.

Late last week, I checked out a new food truck that’s hidden away in central Cary that I was frankly blown away by. It is this week’s destination, which you can read more about near the bottom of this report.

I also stopped by Oktoberfest at Koka Booth on Saturday. It was rainy and cold, but still a ton of fun. I was surprised to see that a decently sized crowd still showed up, and everything seemed to go off without a hitch.

Tomorrow (Thursday), Cary Town Council is expected to hold a vote on banning smoking and vaping in most public spaces. I posted about this on social media a few days ago and reactions have been mixed. I compiled some of the comments and added some additional information on the ordinance amendment for this week’s featured story.

No matter your opinion on the amendment, it’s an interesting discussion and clearly a nuanced issue, which is always interesting to explore.

More on this, and more, below.

Thank you for continuing to support local, - James

A large mixed-use development in west Cary finally has the green light after a rezoning process that stretched for nearly four years.

Town Council unanimously approved the Alston Commons rezoning on Sept. 24, allowing approximately 22.7 acres across from Alston Town Center on N.C. 55 to be redeveloped with between 500 and 625 apartments.

The project can also include up to 200,000 square feet of office space and 55,000 square feet of commercial development, including a car wash.

The properties are located at 4404 N.C. 55, 1629 Petty Farm Road and an adjacent unaddressed parcel.

Earlier versions of the proposal allowed buildings as tall as 10 stories. After feedback from Cary and nearby residents, the maximum height was reduced to seven stories.

The final zoning conditions also require between 50% and 75% of parking to be located in parking decks and at least 48 electric vehicle charging spaces. The overall development is also expected to include more than 20,000 square feet of community gathering space.

Don’t expect to see a giant apartment complex begin construction anytime soon. The rezoning is only one step in the process, and detailed development plans and other approvals would still come later. We are likely still years away from a majority of the construction being completed.

But after nearly four years in Cary’s rezoning process, the project now has permission to move forward.

Additional reading: Town of Cary

Additional reading: September 24 Town Council meeting agenda

Cary Town Council is expected to vote on a proposed expansion of its smoking ordinance on Thursday.

The proposed amendment would ban smoking and vaping on Town-owned property, including parks, greenways and trails. It would also add electronic cigarettes and vaping products to Cary’s restrictions in enclosed public places.

North Carolina already prohibits traditional smoking inside places like restaurants, bars and many government buildings. As the amendment is currently written, Cary’s local rules would expand those restrictions to also include vaping.

There would, of course, be exemptions for private homes and vehicles, qualifying cigar bars and tobacco shops, private clubs and some hotel rooms.

The town manager would also have the ability to designate certain outdoor areas where smoking and vaping could still be allowed.

Someone who continued to smoke or vape after being told to stop could face a fine of up to $50.

If approved, the new ordinance would take effect July 1, 2027.

A noticeable amount of the push has come from local teenagers who publicly advocated for the change.

Students from Green Hope, Green Level and Panther Creek high schools have repeatedly spoken before Town Council this year, arguing that vaping has become extremely common among teenagers and asking Cary to adopt stronger tobacco and vaping restrictions.

Supporters have framed the policy as a public-health measure that would reduce exposure to smoking and vaping, establish clearer expectations around Town facilities and make Cary’s public spaces completely tobacco-free.

Raleigh recently made a similar change, expanding its smoking rules earlier this year to include vaping in public spaces, including enclosed public places such as restaurants and bars.

I posted about the upcoming vote on social media, and reactions are pretty split. Some folks support the change, while others believe it is government overreach.

“More ways to let the government have a say in what you can/cannot do,” commented Dawson Dugid. “Because the government already does such a good job!”

“Awesome, nothing worse than trying to enjoy parks or greenways only to have to breathe the disgusting stench of cigarettes or vapes,” commented John Scruggs. “And before you get upset or say it’s your own choice or it only affects you; if that was the case, I wouldn’t smell the stench!”

“I fully support this. Smoking is horrible in so many ways. If it were up to me, there would be a nationwide ban,” wrote Tracy Roberts.

“Well, thank God it isn’t up to you,” Lee Morone replied, adding that vaping outdoors is not invasive to others.

Others brought up the question of enforcement.

“It will be enforced just like the 45 MPH speed limit on Cary Speedway,” Bob Johnson commented.

The ordinance is largely structured around voluntary compliance. A citation of up to $50 could come into play if someone continued using the product after being told to stop.

The proposed ordinance would also give Cary’s town manager the ability to create designated smoking or vaping areas on Town property, which could potentially provide a middle ground in certain locations.

The proposal is expected to come before Council at Thursday’s regular meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at Cary Town Hall.

I’ll let you know what they decide.

Additional reading:The News & Observer on the student advocates, Town Council Meeting Information

What: Downtown Cary Park’s Bark Bar hosts an evening of free live music from Josh Rhyne. Grab a drink, hang out near the Barkyard and enjoy the music in what is, unsurprisingly, a very dog-friendly setting.

Where: Downtown Cary Park, Bark Bar (327 S. Academy Street)

When: Wed, October 7 | 6–9 p.m.

More Info

What: James Gedeon performs an acoustic tribute to James Taylor featuring songs including Shower the People, Fire and Rain and Your Smiling Face. The show is part of Cary’s Marvelous Music Mainstage Series.

Where: Cary Arts Center (101 Dry Avenue)

When: Fri, October 9 | 7:30 p.m.

More Info

What: Hum Sub’s massive Diwali celebration returns to Koka Booth Amphitheatre for its 26th year. The free festival includes a full day of performances, food, shopping and cultural activities celebrating the Indian subcontinent, followed by fireworks.

Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre (8003 Regency Parkway)

When: Sat, October 10 | 9 a.m.–9:30 p.m.

More Info

Cravedd is a Halal food truck tucked away at 1127 Kildaire Farm Road in central Cary. Unless you already knew it was there, it would be pretty easy to drive straight past it.

I stopped by late last week and was frankly blown away.

The parking lot itself has some significance, too. It is home to The Light House Project, a Muslim community organization created in the aftermath of the 2015 murders of Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu-Salha and Razan Abu-Salha. Today, it serves as a gathering space for Muslim Americans in the Triangle, which makes a 100% Halal food truck operating right outside feel fitting.

Cravedd focuses heavily on crispy chicken, with a menu that includes chicken sandwiches, rice bowls, loaded fries, tenders, chicken and waffles, and shakes.

For my visit, I went with the garlic parm chicken sandwich. The chicken was crispy, flavorful and substantial, and the garlic Parmesan combination gave the sandwich a rich, savory flavor.

There are also loaded fries covered with chopped chicken, cheese sauce, jalapeños, scallions and Cravedd sauce, along with rice bowls topped with crispy chicken, salad and your choice of sauce.

Cary obviously has no shortage of places selling chicken sandwiches, but this place really surprised me with how affordable the meal was, how delicious the food was and how hidden in plain sight it was.

It is absolutely worth checking out.

Cravedd / 1127 Kildaire Farm Road / Cary, NC 27511