Autumn in North Carolina holds a special place in my heart. Amid the hustle and bustle of returning to school and busy schedules, there’s also a comforting stillness that settles over the trees. It’s a time for savoring quiet moments with bowls of chili and mugs of cider, embarking on scenic drives to hiking trails, pumpkin patches and county fairs – a tapestry of experiences that paints warm memories of my upbringing in this picturesque state.
This year, the fall season brings an extra reason for excitement: the much-awaited unveiling of our Best of Chatham issue. Thousands upon thousands of votes were cast in this year’s readers’ favorites poll, and I’m incredibly honored that my first task as managing editor is to share the results – flip to page 48 to begin reading about several of the 2023 honorees. I hope these findings inspire you to explore more restaurants, neighborhoods and entertainment opportunities in our county throughout the year.
In the same way leaves change their hues, our community undergoes its own transformations. The list of reasons to plant roots here grows by the day – take it from artists like Mark Hewitt, who found his muse in our region’s pottery heritage (page 96), and families like the Stalsbrotens, attracted to the exceptional quality of life found here (page 112).
One narrative that particularly resonates with me is that of Chris Beal, a visionary who recognized the need for an improved distribution system for local meat farmers and built it himself. Discover the inspiring journey of Chatham Meat Company, chosen by our readers as one of Chatham’s best new businesses, and delve into Chris’ “pasture-to-plate” ethos on page 74.
At its core, this issue is a celebration of what it means to call Chatham home; I’m so glad I do. – Morgan Cartier Weston, managing editor
BEST OF CHATHAM
48 Picture-Perfect Patties
Beef to lamb, classic to California – Town Hall Burger & Beer knows how to make a dang good burger
50 Spice Up Your Life
Ta’ Contento redefines traditional Mexican fare with a dash of passion
52 A Whole Latte Love
Savor coffee, creativity and community at these cafes
56 Beer Me
Grab a pint at these readers’ favorite breweries and bottle shops
62 Meet Me at Mosaic
Discover a variety of food, beverage and entertainment options in Chatham Park
65 Just the Two of Us
Let our readers’ picks inspire your next date night
68 Retail Therapy
A shopper’s guide to cultivating hometown connections
74 Pasture to Plate
Community support and dedicated customers helped this butcher shop grow to a second location
76 Stay and Play
Which staycation is right for you?
82 Join the Club
Members tell us what they love most about these readers’ favorite sports clubs
88 Pawsome Pals
Animal care professionals shine a spotlight on their canine clientele
92 Flower Power
Fave florists show off seasonal blooms
96 An Artist’s Touch
Meet a few prolific potters and makers who represent the creative abundance within our community
102 Best of Chatham 2023 Winners
FEATURES
10 Falling for Randolph County
Must-try autumnal experiences in the heart of North Carolina
44 Night at the Devil’s Tramping Ground
A firsthand encounter with Bear Creek’s most famous and mysterious barren circle
112 Happy Together
A family teams up to build a dream home in Pittsboro
DEPARTMENTS
8 Six Events
You won’t want to miss
32 Noted
What we’ve heard around our towns …
36 Who’s Who in Town & County Government
Meet Pittsboro’s new town manager
125 Here We Grow Again
Commercial development updates, plus a look at upcoming projects
PEOPLE & PLACES
16 Women of Achievement Luncheon
18 Chatham County Partnership for Children Annual Board Meeting
20 79°West Hub Grand Opening
22 Summer Fest
24 Juneteenth Black Arts Festival
26 Chatham Chamber of Commerce’s Women of Achievement Networking Event
28 PBO Pride Event
30 Chatham Literacy Luncheon
31 Cafe Root Cellar “Supermarket Stakeout” Screening
