📘Here's EXACTLY What Ashworth's Developers Want to Do

Hey Cary!

It’s Friday again, and we’ve finally got clear skies—enjoy it while it lasts because the weekend’s bringing rain and storms on Sunday.

Still, we’ve got you covered with things to do, local updates (including news about Ashworth’s), and ways to make the most of the weekend, rain or shine.

Quick update: Cary Digest just hit 1,100 subscribers! The support has been incredible, and we’re grateful for every one of you. Here is some of the wonderful feedback from Tuesday’s issue,

Be sure to keep leaving your comments again using the poll at the bottom of the email🙂 

Anyway, here’s what you can expect in Today’s issue:

• An update and clear explanation on the future of Ashworth’s Shopping Center

• What to expect at the Farmers Market this weekend

• Some great last-minute options for Valentine’s Day

• A wonderful charity focused on service dogs

I hope you enjoy today’s newsletter! Thanks for all the lovely support.

— Jake from Cary Digest

News

Ashworth’s Drugs Development Update

Ashworth’s Drugs, and the adjacent shopping center that shares the name, was an iconic location in Cary for nearly 70 years. When news that owner Ralph Ashworth had sold the drug store, all of Cary was shocked to hear of its imminent closing.

That’s not today’s news, though. If you didn’t know, the developer also has plans for the the entire shopping center and they just released a rendering of the mixed-used buildings that will replace the area behind Ashworth’s.

If you have trouble orienting yourself, Ashworth’s building is just out of frame to the left, with Chatham Street Wine Market visible just left of the new buildings.

However, the developer hasn’t put out any sort of plan as to what will happen to each of the other beloved restaurants/stores in the shopping center. So we made one for the most popular ones:

• Once In A Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe: This beloved bakery will be moving into Ashworth Drugs’ old location! They’ll be sticking around and if I had to pick one business to fill that void, I think I’d pick them.

• Serendipity Deli, Esteamed Coffee, and Academy Street Bistro: These will all remain in their current locations, but it isn’t clear if any remodeling will be done or if any apartments will be built over top of them. However, the rest of the shopping building behind Acadamy Street Bistro will be re-developed.

• City Garden Design, Vintage Vogue, Sacred Ink Tattoo, and other locations in the rear of the shopping center: These locations are at risk and could very well be forced to move. (See image below)

This also doesn’t just apply to Ashworth’s. It’s just a smaller component of the large development in the area:

This is one of the largest changes to Cary in decades, and the iconic eateries and stores being developed over may not necessarily stay or return.

P.S. Want to advertise in Cary Digest? Reply to this email or reach out at [email protected]!

Charity of the Week: Canine Companions

This week, I’d like to spotlight a charity ran by one of your fellow Cary Digest readers: Canine Companion. Canine Companion is a national not for profit that leads the service dog industry in providing service dogs to adults, children, and even healthcare professionals. It was submitted by local volunteer puppy raiser of over 30 years— Margot Bennett.

Margo has helped raise, train, and home service dogs in Cary schools, libraries, and nursing homes. She has also written three children’s book series about service dogs called Dogs Who Help, and donates all of the proceeds into the charity. The books are aimed at ages 5-12 and follow the story of a dog becoming who he was always meant to be in order to help out a human.

Margot, through Canine Companions, is also beginning a service dog puppy club at Cary High School to raise awareness about becoming a puppy raiser in Cary.

If you’d like to support Margo and Canine Companions, consider making a donation, visiting her website, or perhaps purchasing one of the children’s books.

Town Updates

Valentine’s Night in the Park

In case you missed Tuesday’s issue, there is a magic (and free!) event tonight in the downtown Cary park for Valentine’s Day! The event, which features crafts, live music, food, flower, and other creative activities, is a great way to spend the first night without rain all week!

Cary Town Council’s Annual Retreat Meeting

Heads up—the Cary Town Council will be holding their annual retreat next week on February 21-22, from 8:30AM to 5 PM.

Why is this important? This is a major meeting where the town will review many of the major park, transportation, police, and other projects in order to set their priorities and where they want to spend money. It’s also where many projects will get cut or postponed.

If you want your voice to be heard when it come to the future of Cary, this is a great time to do it.

Know something I don’t? Respond to this email with anything you think should be included in this newsletter, and I’ll try and include it next time!

Community Events

Repair Cafe Free Repairs Workshop

Repair Cafe is a free-to-use workshop in Cary that has all of the tools and experienced people you need to fix just about any item you own. And this Saturday from 1-5 PM, they’re hosting a workshop where you can bring in any appliance, furniture, piece of jewelry, or just about anything else that needs fixing.

This is a great opportunity to finally get something fixed while connecting with the Cary community. Walk-in’s are more than welcome!

Cary Downtown Farmers Market

Now that it’s getting warmer, the Farmers Market is back in downtown, every Saturday from 9AM-12PM. This weekend’s event has tons of special stuff going on, but here are the highlights:

• Bull City Farm: This livestock from north Durham County is a humane supplier of pasture-raised and grass-fed meats including turkeys, geese, pork, lamb, and even milk!

• Fiddle Tree Farm: A small farm near Chatham County, this all-natural supplier of goat milk products will be at the Cary Farmers market with tons of products to sample!

• BE Bakery will be there as well providing artisan vegan goods made with the highest quality of ingredients!

• Dew Drop Chocolate: Get some tasty chocolate treats with tons of different variants including peanut butter yummies, coconut dreams, or even pretzels.

Things to Do This Weekend

Free Events 😄

Valentine’s Date Night in the Park | February 14, 5 PM (More info)

• Location: Academy Pavilion at Downtown Cary Park

• Description: Celebrate love with a cozy, creative evening featuring arts and crafts, live music, and a food truck. First come, first served!

Cary Downtown Farmers Market | February 15, 9 AM (More info)

• Location: Downtown Cary Park

• Description: Shop for fresh produce, handmade local food, and artisan goods. Kids can join the Eat-A-Rainbow program for fun nutrition education.

School BreakOUT! | February 17, 10 AM - 2 PM (More info)

• Location: Downtown Cary Park

• Description: A fun-filled day with lawn games, crafts, and an exciting shadow puppetry performance by Matt Sandbank.

Film 📽️

JessZilla (Not Rated) | February 14, 2 PM & February 16, 12 PM (Tickets)

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: A documentary following 15-year-old boxing champion Jesselyn Silva as she battles for Olympic dreams and against cancer.

The Colors Within (PG) | February 14, 5 PM & February 15, 8 PM & February 16, 6 PM (Tickets)

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: A high school girl who sees emotions as colors forms a band with two classmates in a heartfelt musical journey.

Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr. With R.E.M. (Not Rated) | February 14, 8 PM (Tickets)

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: A classic silent film paired with R.E.M.’s albums Monster and New Adventures in Hi-Fi for a unique cinematic experience.

2025 Oscar Live Action Shorts (Not Rated) | February 15, 2 PM (Tickets)

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: Watch the Oscar-nominated short films and get ahead in your Oscar pool!

Becoming Led Zeppelin (PG-13) | February 15, 5 PM (Tickets)

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: Explore Led Zeppelin’s origins through never-before-seen footage and exclusive band interviews.

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (PG-13) | February 16, 3 PM (Tickets)

• Location: The Cary Theater

• Description: A documentary reflecting on the life and legacy of the Nobel Prize-winning author. Free, but tickets required.

Music 🎵

A Night of Neo-Soul Jazz With Al Strong and Chip Shearin | February 14, 7:30 PM (Tickets)

• Location: Cary Arts Center

• Description: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with smooth jazz featuring trumpeter Al Strong and bassist Chip Shearin.

A Love Letter to Hip-Hop and Go-Go Concert Experience | February 15, 7:30 PM (Tickets)

• Location: Cary Arts Center

• Description: A night of live Go-Go music, DJ sets, and nostalgic hip-hop vibes featuring the Iconic Truth Band.

Thanks for reading Cary Digest! If you enjoyed the newsletter, please share it! I’ll send you another email on Tuesday so you can make some plans for next week.