Welcome to our seventh annual Best of Chatham issue! We are excited to unveil the results of this year’s poll, where readers like you voted for your favorites across nearly 80 categories ranging from dining and services to home & garden, retail and arts & entertainment. Your votes – and enthusiastic participation – have made this issue a celebration of everything that makes Chatham County such a vibrant and unique place to live, work and explore. Check out the winners beginning on page 47.
We’ve also expanded our Out & About section this issue to include a special fall arts guide highlighting events, festivals and performances that will keep your calendars full in the coming months – check it out beginning on page 8. For pet lovers, our resource guide on page 100 is packed with everything you need to know to care for your furry friends.
I’m particularly excited to share a tour of a remarkable farmhouse in this issue. With its rich history of 130 years (or more!), this beautiful home offers a fascinating glimpse into our county’s architectural past – and how its story continues to unfold today.
We hope this issue inspires you to continue supporting local businesses and exploring all the wonderful offerings they have to share with us. And again, thank you for helping to shine a spotlight on the very best of Chatham! – Morgan Cartier Weston, managing editor
BEST OF CHATHAM
48 Global Palate
Let these readers’ favorite restaurants be your culinary compass
58 Awesome Sauce
A Polynesian family serves up Hawaiian-style barbecue in Pittsboro
62 Wake-Up Call
Start your day with one of our readers’ favorite bakeries, coffee shops and brunch spots
68 Shake It Up
Try these top-notch libations at your next soiree
70 Homegrown Goodness
Discover two family-run farms behind some of our readers’ favorite local products
80 Interior Innovators
Our readers’ favorite interior design professionals share their favorite tips, tricks and projects
90 Ultimate Unwind
A local’s guide to self-care
96 Paw-Fect Days Ahead
A few of our readers’ fave boarders and vets share their tips for keeping your pets happy and healthy this autumn
102 Culture Club
Discover our vibrant entertainment scene
106 Family Fun
Create lasting memories at these readers’ favorite art studios, event spaces and adventure havens that offer activities for all ages
112 Best of Chatham 2024 Winners
FEATURES
100 Animal House
A guide to area vets, animal hospitals, groomers, boarders, pet sitters, dog parks and rescue organizations
124 Restoration & Relaxation
A historical home gets a new lease on life
144 Building Dreams
Discover the future of home design at the 2024 Triangle Parade of Homes
DEPARTMENTS
8 Out & About
6 events you won’t want to miss, plus our fall arts guide
30 Noted.
What we’ve heard around our towns …
38 Who’s Who in Town & County Government
Meet Neha M. Shah, director of Pittsboro-Siler City Convention & Visitors Bureau
148 Here We Grow Again
Updates on developments, real estate and future projects
PEOPLE & PLACES
16 2024 Women of Achievement Luncheon
20 PBO Pride at The Plant
22 Black History Bus Tour at the Juneteenth Black Arts Festival
24 A Taste of Chatham at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center
26 Chatham Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Women of Achievement Celebration
