When it comes to the latest trends in women's apparel, there's no better place to shop till you drop than Downtown Chucktown. And if you're searching for the finest threads in Cary, look no further than Copper Penny - the Lowcountry's go-to shop for anyone that has a passion for fashion.
We have been dressing women in Cary for over 34 years and offer upscale designer collections curated with a Southern eye. Here, women from around the United States discover sophisticated, effortless beauty for every season. Whether you're looking for a sassy new dress to impress that special someone or the perfect outfit for your next vacation, your options are endless at Copper Penny.
With easy-to-find locations close to Cary's hottest spots, our curated selection of the newest, most popular women's clothing lines reflects the effortless glamour of Cary. Whether you're a tidy professional or a fierce trend-setter, our goal is to help you find the perfect look for your own unique style. With designer brands like CK Bradley and Holst & Lee on hand year-round, finding your new look is easy and fun when you visit Copper Penny.
Our clothing lines give ladies a refreshing mix of one-of-a-kind authenticity with real wearability, allowing them to shine with confidence and style all year long. So, go ahead and spoil yourself - you deserve to look like a million bucks!
Diamonds are pretty and all, but honestly? Dresses are a girl's best friend. Dresses are fun, comfortable, and versatile. At Copper Penny, they're also fashionable and cute. We have a huge selection of women's dresses in Cary, NC, from stylistic sheath dresses to drop-waist styles that will make your girlfriends jealous.
We offer several styles and shapes from which you can pick. Not sure what style fits best?
It all starts at the waist:
These dresses are made to fit your waist and then gradually flare out towards the hem. A-line dresses are excellent for minimizing thighs, hips, and midsections while pulling the eyes to your bust. This style of dress is a great fit for almost any body type. There's a reason why so many brides settle on A-Line dresses for their big day! With plenty of varieties, this is a kind of dress that you can wear again and again.
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Like the A-Line style, empire dresses are made to fit through your bust. Rather than creating a distinctly angular shape like the A-Line, the Empire style flows from the bust down. This is another kind of dress that fits many body types. From curvy to apple body shapes, the Empire draws focus to your bust and minimizes everything else. For lovely ladies on the shorter side, this style defines your silhouette, especially if you choose a maxi length dress.
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A throwback to the roaring 20's style flapper dresses, Drop Waist dresses look best on lean, athletic bodies that don't have too many curves in the hip area. The key to pulling off a Drop Waist style dress is to ensure that it's not hugging you. This dress is best worn when it is able to hang freely on your body.
Shop NowOnce you know the kind of waist that fits your body type, it's time to find your shape. A few of our most popular dress shapes include:
Unless you're feeling extra sassy, chances are you're wearing a top at this very moment. Tops are garments that cover the top half of your body. At Copper Penny, we have an endless selection of tops in a wide range of styles - from basic tees to blouses and everything in between. If you're looking for the highest quality women's tops in Cary, NC, you just hit the jackpot!
With that said, finding the right top for the right occasion is easier said than done. However, at Copper Penny, we make finding the right top fun. Whether you're looking for a top that makes a statement or you need a classic button-down for a subdued style, we've got your back. We only carry the most popular tops from the best brands and designers around the world.
Sometimes called broadcloth tops, poplins have classic characteristics and are often woven with an over/under weave. This kind of weave gives more substance to your top while also giving you room to breathe. Poplin shirts are typically soft and smooth, and are great for everyday business attire, some formal occasions, and for certain ceremonies. Sweet and feminine, our Bruna poplin eyelet bib top features ruffles at the sleeves and an eyelet lace yoke at the front. Pair your poplin with your favorite pair of shorts or jeans for a contemporary, relaxed look.
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Great for wearing solo or layered over a camisole or tank top, wrap tops are lightweight, versatile, and great for many different occasions. Wrap tops go well with jeans, maxi dresses, and high-waisted jeans or trousers. Our V-Neck Wrap SLV Top by Jayden is uber-popular at Copper Penny and the perfect choice for dressing down or dressing up. The choice is yours!
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For a dose of feminine fashion, be sure you add an off-the-shoulder top to your everyday wardrobe. A casual, sexy choice, off-the-shoulder tops have unique necklines that cut across your upper arms and chest, leaving your shoulders bare. The result is a flirty flash of skin, which elongates your neck and gives a relaxed, "daytime casual" look. Our Nola off-the-shoulder top pairs perfectly with shorts or even a flowy skirt and is hand-woven in Spain using Jacquard fabric.
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Who doesn't love a good tank top?! Tank tops are lightweight, versatile, and equally great for lounging in the yard or running errands on weekends. Tank tops lend an air of simplicity to your outfit and can be styled in endless ways. Take our Velvet Heart Victory Tank, for instance. This tank is a refreshing update on our classic sleeveless tank top, complete with fray details and a scoop neck. Throw in the fact that it's machine washable, and you have a wardrobe winner.
Shop NowHaving trouble finding the best top for your size and style? As the most trusted women's clothing boutique in Cary, NC, Copper Penny has helped women discover new looks in the Lowcountry for more than two decades. We take pride in providing a personalized, boutique experience for our customers. If you have questions, give us a call or swing by one of our locations. We would be happy to give you our professional opinion.
Until then, here's a quick guide you can follow to help you find the right fit for your women's top in Cary:
When choosing a women's top for your outfit, you have to consider how comfortable, confident, and beautiful you will feel. The best way to feel your best in an outfit is to make sure it fits correctly. To get started, you'll want to take your measurements. For most women's tops, the best areas to focus on are your hips, waist, and chest.
Need help measuring? Swing by Copper Penny and ask one of our friendly sales associates to help you out! While you're there, don't forget to check out our huge selection of women's tops in Cary, NC.
Contact UsLooking to take your style to the next level? You can also get in touch with a personal stylist directly from our website. With a personal stylist by your side, you can find stunning looks for specific occasions, using comfortable clothing in your favorite colors and cuts. Copper Penny is your one-stop-shop for fashionable, fun, fabulous designer clothing in Cary. But don't take our word for it – come see for yourself!
Just as Cary is outgrowing its sleepy small-town status, the food scene is nothing to yawn at. The Triangle town is rapidly growing, and newer restaurants serving exciting food and experiences are joining mainstays worth the drive from other parts of the Triangle in this list of eight essential Cary restaurants.Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process....
Just as Cary is outgrowing its sleepy small-town status, the food scene is nothing to yawn at. The Triangle town is rapidly growing, and newer restaurants serving exciting food and experiences are joining mainstays worth the drive from other parts of the Triangle in this list of eight essential Cary restaurants.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
The restaurant inside the Umstead Hotel and Spa is a Forbes five-star restaurant for a reason. This is a special occasion spot for dinner, a four-course prix fixe menu, with an epic wine list (ask the on-site sommelier questions and learn more). The menu takes inspiration from North Carolina, even growing fruits and vegetables at its nearby farm. Each dish is plated with artistic presentation. Other can’t-miss Heron’s experiences: Breakfast outside with a view of the grounds or cocktails in the lounge.
Don’t let the name fool you. This downtown Cary spot serves fresh North Carolina-sourced seafood and seasonal small plates in a dimly lit, bohemian-decorated atmosphere. Don’t miss the gluten-free fried chicken or the bottled dirty martini with house-made brine and blue cheese stuffed olives.
A constant in the heart of downtown Cary’s rapidly growing dining scene, Taipei 101 serves Taiwanese, Sichuan, and Zhejiang fare in a casual atmosphere. The Chinese restaurant is a Cary mainstay, known for its generous portion sizes, scallion beef pancake roll, and soup dumplings.
Master baker Lionel Vatinet’s La Farm is everywhere, including the Raleigh–Durham International Airport and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. But the cafe in Preston Corners offers more than just the delicious, yet ubiquitous, baked goods in a warm cafe setting. The quiche Lorraine is complemented by the house Counter Culture drip coffee or full espresso bar for breakfast. For lunch, sandwiches are served on fresh La Farm bread – the Southwest turkey on ciabatta is a delicious pick.
The restaurant inside the Mayton transformed a few years ago when local developers joined forces to save the boutique hotel from bankruptcy. The investment resulted in a restaurant that would draw diners on its own, but it happens to be adjacent to the new downtown Cary Park, with a covered patio serving the views. The renovation included overhauling the aesthetics, like adding colorful custom wallpaper that ties back to the park. It’s a solid all-day dining option for Southern-inspired favorites like fried green tomatoes and peel-and-eat shrimp with a dynamic modern American menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a weekend brunch (don’t miss the indulgent smoked salmon scrambled eggs with brie in a pastry shell).
An experimental restaurant from chef Michael Lee’s M Restaurants is situated next to M Sushi in Fenton. The tapas-style menu is served as dishes are ready in a modern, industrial sit-down restaurant setting with a large bar and small outdoor patio available. The Pan-Asian offerings are constantly changing, with fresh takes such as Brussels sprouts with miso tahini sauce, yuzu citrus juice, and a Japanese spice blend or a lobster shumai with shrimp and lobster mousse and dumpling skin served in a citrus beurre blanc sauce.
Dining is an experience at Top Chef alum Katsuji Tanabe’s Mexico City-inspired restaurant with LM Restaurants. Performances include a tequila cocktail on fire or a spray bottle of orange juice for a mimosa. Follow up your cocktail with Tanabe’s grandmother’s cornbread recipe, topped with honey truffle butter, and don’t miss the octopus and chorizo tacos.
Tucked in a brick strip mall is a gem of a seafood restaurant, Try Seafood. Belly up to the fishing boat-themed cash register and order fried shrimp or fish, blackened catfish with veggies, or one of the fried combos for a variety. And don’t skip on the perfectly fried hushpuppies. Regina and Harold Scott’s Try Seafood food truck is still around town, too, but don’t miss the brick-and-mortar experience. The Black- and woman-owned restaurant’s nautical motif and sizzling sound of the next order hitting the hot oil will transport customers to the seafood joints on the coast.
The restaurant inside the Umstead Hotel and Spa is a Forbes five-star restaurant for a reason. This is a special occasion spot for dinner, a four-course prix fixe menu, with an epic wine list (ask the on-site sommelier questions and learn more). The menu takes inspiration from North Carolina, even growing fruits and vegetables at its nearby farm. Each dish is plated with artistic presentation. Other can’t-miss Heron’s experiences: Breakfast outside with a view of the grounds or cocktails in the lounge.
Don’t let the name fool you. This downtown Cary spot serves fresh North Carolina-sourced seafood and seasonal small plates in a dimly lit, bohemian-decorated atmosphere. Don’t miss the gluten-free fried chicken or the bottled dirty martini with house-made brine and blue cheese stuffed olives.
A constant in the heart of downtown Cary’s rapidly growing dining scene, Taipei 101 serves Taiwanese, Sichuan, and Zhejiang fare in a casual atmosphere. The Chinese restaurant is a Cary mainstay, known for its generous portion sizes, scallion beef pancake roll, and soup dumplings.
Master baker Lionel Vatinet’s La Farm is everywhere, including the Raleigh–Durham International Airport and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. But the cafe in Preston Corners offers more than just the delicious, yet ubiquitous, baked goods in a warm cafe setting. The quiche Lorraine is complemented by the house Counter Culture drip coffee or full espresso bar for breakfast. For lunch, sandwiches are served on fresh La Farm bread – the Southwest turkey on ciabatta is a delicious pick.
The restaurant inside the Mayton transformed a few years ago when local developers joined forces to save the boutique hotel from bankruptcy. The investment resulted in a restaurant that would draw diners on its own, but it happens to be adjacent to the new downtown Cary Park, with a covered patio serving the views. The renovation included overhauling the aesthetics, like adding colorful custom wallpaper that ties back to the park. It’s a solid all-day dining option for Southern-inspired favorites like fried green tomatoes and peel-and-eat shrimp with a dynamic modern American menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a weekend brunch (don’t miss the indulgent smoked salmon scrambled eggs with brie in a pastry shell).
An experimental restaurant from chef Michael Lee’s M Restaurants is situated next to M Sushi in Fenton. The tapas-style menu is served as dishes are ready in a modern, industrial sit-down restaurant setting with a large bar and small outdoor patio available. The Pan-Asian offerings are constantly changing, with fresh takes such as Brussels sprouts with miso tahini sauce, yuzu citrus juice, and a Japanese spice blend or a lobster shumai with shrimp and lobster mousse and dumpling skin served in a citrus beurre blanc sauce.
Dining is an experience at Top Chef alum Katsuji Tanabe’s Mexico City-inspired restaurant with LM Restaurants. Performances include a tequila cocktail on fire or a spray bottle of orange juice for a mimosa. Follow up your cocktail with Tanabe’s grandmother’s cornbread recipe, topped with honey truffle butter, and don’t miss the octopus and chorizo tacos.
Tucked in a brick strip mall is a gem of a seafood restaurant, Try Seafood. Belly up to the fishing boat-themed cash register and order fried shrimp or fish, blackened catfish with veggies, or one of the fried combos for a variety. And don’t skip on the perfectly fried hushpuppies. Regina and Harold Scott’s Try Seafood food truck is still around town, too, but don’t miss the brick-and-mortar experience. The Black- and woman-owned restaurant’s nautical motif and sizzling sound of the next order hitting the hot oil will transport customers to the seafood joints on the coast.
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Tuesday's fast-moving storms knocked out power and caused some damage across Wake CountyOne neighborhood off Chapel Hill Road and Maynard in Cary was particularly hard hit when a tree smashed into homes.A massive tree in a neighborhood on Rosefield Drive was toppled. It was tall enough that it even caused damage to the decks a whole level off the ground. Thankfully,...
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) -- Tuesday's fast-moving storms knocked out power and caused some damage across Wake County
One neighborhood off Chapel Hill Road and Maynard in Cary was particularly hard hit when a tree smashed into homes.
A massive tree in a neighborhood on Rosefield Drive was toppled. It was tall enough that it even caused damage to the decks a whole level off the ground. Thankfully, everyone was OK, but they are going to have a lot of cleanup.
"The power had been out for about half an hour already, and I just heard this huge ripping sound and then a big crash and looked out my back door and just saw all of this," said Emily Apadula.
ALSO SEE: Power outages reported by thousands of customers in central NC
She said this all happened around 6 p.m. after the power went out at their home.
The damage was from a large tree hitting a row of townhomes.
"We've had some trees go down in previous storms but nothing like this, nothing that's caused this much damage," Apadula said.
"It's just another day in paradise, just got a little more interesting," said Teddy Reger.
ALSO SEE: Downed trees and power lines affect travel across the area
Reger showed ABC11 inside his home -- you can't even open the door to the deck without seeing a pile of debris.
"It destroyed the rails on it, on the deck, probably going to have to replace the whole deck at some point," Reger said.
He said that insurance should cover most of the damage, but it is still frustrating.
Out on the roadways, it wasn't much better. Ponding along Highway 55 outside downtown Apex prompted some cars to turn around and others trying dangerously to plow through.
Many schools and businesses in the region closed early Tuesday in advance of the storms arriving. Now with some areas dealing with damage and power outages, many school districts are opening late on Wednesday.
Here are some hacks to keep your phone charged during a power outage
Back in Cary, they're just grateful Mother Nature's wrath wasn't any worse. No injuries were reported.
Have you visited Fenton in Cary? This is a guide to everything Fenton has to offer, including restaurants, retail, special events, movies and more.Restaurants at FentonAVA Rooftop Bar - This Instagram-worthy seasonal outdoor rooftop bar serves craft cocktails, wine and Mediterranean-inspired small plates. The bar opens at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday....
Have you visited Fenton in Cary? This is a guide to everything Fenton has to offer, including restaurants, retail, special events, movies and more.
AVA Rooftop Bar - This Instagram-worthy seasonal outdoor rooftop bar serves craft cocktails, wine and Mediterranean-inspired small plates. The bar opens at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Late night hours and DJ events make it a nightlife spot. AVA accepts reservations for VIP bottle service beginning at 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. All other guests are welcome on a first come, first served basis.
Coming soon: Brewery Bhavana - Brewery Bhavana's Fenton location will feature an extensive outdoor patio, Belgian-inspired beers and dim sum offerings, along with a bookstore and floral shop.
Carriage House Coffee - Find this mobile coffee truck near Fenton's green space. Carriage House Coffee has a focus on local, including serving baked goods from local eateries like La Farm Bakery. The menu includes both classic coffee staples and some special sweet options like the butter beer latte, the s'mores latte, the honey oat milk latte, the lavender white mocha and the cookie butter oat milk latte.
Colletta - Reservations are recommended for this upscale yet causal Italian bistro that has quickly become a favorite at Fenton. Guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor seating. Appetizers range from $7 to $24, and entrees start at $17 and go all the way up to the $60 ribeye. Family-style dining is available for $65, where the chef will curate three courses for the table to share. Colletta is open for lunch Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.. Dinner is served daily beginning at 5 p.m.
Coming soon: Crawford Brothers Steakhouse - The restaurant, described as a "modern American steakhouse," will specialize in house dry-aged beef and feature an extensive wine selection. According to Crawford, the restaurant will feature a lighter lunch menu, a cocktail bar and a lounge area.
CRÚ Food & Wine Bar - CRÚ serves brunch, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy charcuterie and stone-fired pizza and taste and share platters and entrees like salmon, filet mignon, and scallops. It is open for lunch seven days a week between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Dinner is served from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Coming soon: Doc B’s Restaurant - Brunch, lunch and dinner all served.
Dram & Draught - Dram & Draught serves seasonal craft cocktails and a full menu of shareables, flatbreads, sandwiches, salads, sides and desserts. Lunch and dinner are served daily between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., and snacks and desserts are available after 5 p.m
Honeysuckle Gelato - Gelato scoops, milkshakes and gelato sandwiches are served daily beginning at 11 a.m. Many flavors are Southern-inspired, like bananas foster, carrot cake, lemon bar, blackberry lemon sorbet and butter pecan blondie.
M Test Kitchen - M Test Kitchen is open daily at 5 p.m., serving tapas-style options and craft cocktails. The concept from award-winning chef Micheal Lee features a constantly evolving menu with tapas-style bites meant to be shared.
M Sushi - M Sushi serves specialty and classic sushi rolls from Michael Lee, the owner of M Sushi Durham and other restaurants.
Sports & Social - This sports bar features a 30-foot high-definition LED TV and games like skee ball, table tennis, air hockey and a golf simulator, open 7 days a week at 11 a.m. There is a full menu of cocktails, beer and wine, as well as burgers, appetizers, salads, bowls, dessert and more. Brunch is offered on Saturdays and Sundays with breakfast skillets, avocado toast, chicken and waffles and more.
Superica - Serving Tex-Mex food and cocktails, Superica offers weekend brunch, lunch and dinner. Lunch specials are available for $14.99 Monday through Friday.
The Agency Bar + Social - The Agency Bar + Social, anchoring Paragon Theaters, features a 100-foot-long craft cocktail bar and full menu for the public and movie theater patrons. People who wish to dine while they watch a movie can enjoy VIP Lux Box Dine-In seating with individualized QR codes for online ordering.
March through December on the third Saturday of the month, the Fenton Makers Market powered by Triangle Pop-Up takes over Fenton Square with live music and local artists selling handmade items. The event runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month excluding January and February. The November and December markets are holiday themed.
Fenton Skate the Square kicks off in November and will run each year from November through February. In 2023, general admission tickets were $17 (skates included). Reservations online are recommended. Discounts are available for everyone on Monday nights and for veterans, military, police, firefighters and medical professionals on Tuesdays. Skate rentals are available in toddler through adult sizes (size 15). Skating is available for 75 minutes after admission. Ice skaters can enjoy thousands of lights covering Fenton's walkways and a large, sparkling Christmas tree.
Paragon Theaters at Fenton includes leather electric recliners, a Lux Box dine-in seating concept so movie-goers can order food, beverages and dessert, a bar lounge and more. The theater also features an Axis 15 screen to reduce eye strain and increase viewability for patrons.
Events are held year-round at Fenton, including craft markets, live music, 5Ks, visits with Santa, yoga and exercise classes, St. Patrick's Day events, jewelry and antique shows and more. In October, Triangle Barkitecture -- a dog-inspired design competition, will be held at Fenton. The schedule of events is available online.
Retail stores at Fenton include:
Construction began in late 2020, and Fenton opened in Cary in May 2022. The sprawling mixed-use center is down the road from what used to be Cary Towne Center Mall, which closed in January 2021 after being purchased by Epic Games to be used as their new headquarters.
Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht said the project is considered one of the largest in town history.
"It's exciting. We've been talking about this property and it's been years in the making," he told WRAL News months before the grand opening.
The Allison at Fenton features studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. Prices as of March 2024 vary, with a 627 sq. ft. studio apartment listed at $1,662. One-bedrooms apartments are listed anywhere from $1,662 to $4,100. Residents have access to a resort-style pool, gym, rooftop lounges, coffee bar, pet spa, dog park, coworking spaces and more. The building is six stories.
200,000 sq. ft. of office space is available at the Offices at Fenton. According to Fenton, additional office space will be available in future phases.
“The current status of the mall cannot be described as anything other than blight.”That is how Epic Games described the recently shuttered Cary Towne Center in May 2021, as the video game developer sought to rezone the vacant retail space for its new Triangle headquarters.Almost three years later, it still fits.Sandbags today weigh down chai...
“The current status of the mall cannot be described as anything other than blight.”
That is how Epic Games described the recently shuttered Cary Towne Center in May 2021, as the video game developer sought to rezone the vacant retail space for its new Triangle headquarters.
Almost three years later, it still fits.
Sandbags today weigh down chain-link fences around the mostly demolished mall. Grass has sprouted in the parking lot cracks. Cary Town Council member Lori Bush called it “a moonscape” at the eastern edge of an otherwise bustling community.
“It is frustrating for me as well to see a sea of dirt,” she said. “It’s frustrating for all the people who live so close to it.”
Cary Towne Center was once a traditional U.S. indoor mall. Built as the Cary Village Mall in 1979, it was expanded (and renamed) in the early 1990s. At its peak, the mall offered over 1 million square feet of retail near downtown Cary and about 10 miles west of central Raleigh.
But the 2010s were a rough decade for large malls across the country, and Cary Towne Center withered as anchors JCPenney, Dillard’s, Macy’s and Sears left. Efforts to bring in an IKEA and Top Golf also fell through.
In 2017, the Cary Town Council approved a rezoning request for the mall’s then-owner, CBL & Associates Properties, to convert the site into a mixed-use hub with retail, housing, restaurants and offices. Before that plan went forward however, CBL sold the 87-acre mall to New York City-based Turnbridge Equities and Dallas-based Denali Properties in February 2019 for $31.5 million.
Like the previous owner, Turnbridge and Denali had mixed-use visions. They proposed a 4.5 million-square-foot revitalized development called Carolina Yards which would contain a hotel, housing, office and retail, along with 10 acres of walkable space. Cary approved the Carolina Yards rezoning in December 2019.
Yet this plan also didn’t materialize, and on the last day of 2020, Epic Games purchased the property for $95 million — more than three times what Turnbridge and Denali had paid. A month later, Cary Towne Center officially closed.
Founded in 1991, Epic is best known for hit titles Gears of War and Fortnite, as well as its Unreal Engine visualization tool, which recently earned the company a shoutout at the Oscars. Despite an ebbing valuation, it remains one of the world’s most valuable private companies.
The game developer has been based in Cary since 1999, with its current headquarters by the intersection of Crossroads Boulevard and Jones Franklin Road. Like other major employers, Epic is cagey about its specific local headcount. In December 2022, the company told The News & Observer that more than 1,000 employees reported to its Triangle office.
After it bought Cary Towne Center, Epic said the additional space would “accommodate its long-term growth.” It also said at the time that it planned to establish its new campus by 2024.
In May 2021, Epic asked the town for permission to build 3.5 million square feet of office space along with a 200-room hotel and retail options. Building heights would range from one to 12 stories. This was more office space than the existing land-use ordinance, passed for Carolina Yards, permitted. A rezoning would be needed.
“The current development on the property is emblematic of the outdated indoor mall concept which, well before the pandemic, lost favor with both people and businesses,” Epic wrote in its application.
That December, the company presented its preliminary plans to the Cary Town Council, refined to include up to 2.7 million square feet of office space, a motion-capture studio and a central utility plant, plus 75,000 square feet of retail and the hotel. The company also referenced a private road that would encircle its offices and berms around the property perimeter for security.
At the meeting, council members denounced the plan for lacking clarity on parking, the construction timeline, and how the buildings and landscape would look. Several were turned off by Epic’s designs to ensure privacy.
“We find this rezoning request unacceptable,” council member Jennifer Robinson said. “It’s fascinating to me that you guys want a lot of vague opportunities because you don’t know what’s going to go there and yet you have some specificity around not having trees in your parking lot.”
Robinson added: “We recognize you are an excellent gaming company. We ask that you be an excellent corporate citizen.”
Council member Jack Smith was even blunter.
“There is so much missing,” he said, adding, “This is like Attica prison with a little bit of shrubbery around it.” He called Epic’s proposal to plant 240 trees so low that he thought it was a typo.
Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht commended Epic for being a positive presence in the community but said he was also worried about the campus’s aesthetics. He noted developers behind the nearby Fenton mixed-use project had to “jump through hoops” for several years to match the town’s wishes before that construction commenced in 2020.
After that vocal December 2021 meeting, the ball was back in Epic’s court.
Cary officials said the applicant next needed to request a hearing before the town’s planning and zoning board. Epic still has not done this. And local leaders aren’t sure when it might.
“Nothing has happened,” Bush said. “We’ve reached out to (Epic) and have not heard back, and that’s where it is.”
Bush emphasized Cary is enthusiastic about partnering with the company on the campus, but she acknowledged the long delay was uncommon.
Epic spokesperson Elka Looks told The N&O this week the game developer had no update on its new headquarters. In 2022, Looks told The N&O her company aimed to open its new campus in either 2024 or 2025. Asked if this was the current timeline, she repeated Epic had no update.
Like all businesses, Epic faces a different economy today than it did four years ago. It reached an all-time high valuation of $31.5 billion in April 2022. Yet while 2017’s Fortnite remains insanely popular — exceeding more than 100 million players in November alone — Epic has faced new hurdles in the past few years.
In December 2022, the company agreed to pay a record $520 million fine to the Federal Trade Commission over complaints Fortnite violated children’s privacy law and induced unintended purchases through deceptive designs.
Then in the fall of 2023, Epic laid off more than 800 employees, roughly 16% of its staff, including 170 local workers. In explaining the cuts, Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney said the company was spending more than it was making investing in a metaverse platform.
Earlier this year, Disney took a $1.5 billion equity stake in Epic which reportedly valued the Cary game developer at $22.5 billion according to the outlet The Information.
The game developer does own several active retail buildings on the edge of the Cary Towne Center campus, through the entity CTCL Holdings, including a Dave & Busters and a Jared jewelry store. Inside the chain-link fence however, the only standing structure is the one that once housed Belk. Epic Games razed the rest of the mall beginning in early 2022.
Will Epic use the erstwhile Belk as the launching point for a new campus? Will it ever resume the rezoning process? Has Sweeney not acted because of the macro economy? Or perhaps due to local dissatisfaction with the Cary Town Council?
All the public has is questions.
NC Reality Check is an N&O series holding those in power accountable and shining a light on public issues that affect the Triangle or North Carolina. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email realitycheck@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published March 28, 2024, 10:24 AM.
Whataburger is coming to the Triangle. And not just in one city, but three.Raleigh, Durham and Cary will have their own Whataburger locations, a spokesperson confirmed to The News & Observer.The popular Texas-based burger chain is expanding, having just announced it’s opening its one thousandth restaurant. The Raleigh-area spots are ...
Whataburger is coming to the Triangle. And not just in one city, but three.
Raleigh, Durham and Cary will have their own Whataburger locations, a spokesperson confirmed to The News & Observer.
The popular Texas-based burger chain is expanding, having just announced it’s opening its one thousandth restaurant. The Raleigh-area spots are among others planned in the Carolinas, including Charlotte.
Whataburger locations will be opening in Raleigh, Durham and Cary, said spokesperson Miranda Grubbs.
“We’re currently in the very early stages, so we don’t have any details to share today about a hiring or opening timeline for any locations we’re currently considering,” Grubbs said.
Just last month, Whataburger announced its expansion into three other NC cities, The N&O previously reported.
Planning documents for these locations were submitted for two in Charlotte, two in Greensboro and one in Fayetteville.
The first NC location is expected to open in the greater Charlotte region.
Last year, Whataburger executives told South Carolina’s The Post & Courier that Raleigh and Charlotte could see locations open in 2025.
Whataburger did not respond to multiple requests for follow-up information, such as locations and opening dates.
Whataburger’s news comes at a time of transition for fast food destinations in the Triangle.
In late February, PDQ shut down its Raleigh, Durham and Cary locations. PDQ also closed locations across the Carolinas in Columbia, Greenville, Hickory, Wake Forest and Winston Salem.
“PDQ’s executive team has visited with all of the restaurant teams over the last week and is offering severance to everyone affected, as well as providing assistance to help them find new jobs,” PDQ said in a statement provided by Jeffrey Kamis, vice president of marketing and public relations.
Cook Out purchased PDQ’s spot in Wake Forest — located at 11690 Northpark Drive — at the end of January for $2.75 million, Triangle Business Journal reported. This location would be the first Cook Out in Wake Forest.
There are also Cook Out restaurants planned for Zebulon and Apex, plus three more in Raleigh, TBJ reported.
The forthcoming Peak City location will also be the first Cook Out in Apex.
February 23, 2024 6:00 AM
This story was originally published March 1, 2024, 11:48 AM.
