The Cary Report

09/22/2026

BREAKING: Raising Cane’s Planning Cary Restaurant at Former a’Verde Site

Raising Cane’s is looking to open its first Cary restaurant.

A development plan submitted to the Town of Cary calls for a Raising Cane’s restaurant at 2300 Walnut Street, the former home of a’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library near Crossroads Plaza.

The application describes a 1.42-acre development consisting of a quick-service restaurant with a drive-thru, along with grading, sewer, water, stormwater and utility work. It is not yet clear whether the existing building would be repurposed or demolished.

a’Verde closed last year after operating from the property since 2022. Before that, the building was home to Wild Wing Cafe.

Don’t get too hungry just yet: the Raising Cane’s proposal is still very early in Cary’s development review process. The application was submitted Aug. 31 and remains under review for completeness, meaning plans could still change and no opening timeline has been announced.

Raising Cane’s specializes almost entirely in chicken fingers, fries, Texas toast and its signature Cane’s Sauce. The chain currently operates in Chapel Hill and Raleigh, but this would be the first Cary location.

Raising Cane's has not yet responded for comment. We'll keep you posted!

09/16/2026

One of Downtown Cary’s biggest fall events is back this Saturday.

The Cary Farmers Market’s annual Farmers Fall Festival takes over Downtown Cary Park on Saturday, September 19 from 11 AM–4 PM.

Now in its 9th year, the festival expands the regular farmers market into a much bigger celebration with local farmers, food, artists and crafters, kids’ activities, interactive exhibits and live music.

And, of course, the famous pie-eating contest is coming back.

The Farmers Fall Festival is also the Cary Farmers Market’s main annual fundraiser, helping support the nonprofit market’s year-round operations.

It’s always a popular event - make sure you utilize the new parking decks as the library one will likely fill up quickly.

📍 Downtown Cary Park
📅 Saturday, September 19
⏰ 11 AM–4 PM

09/16/2026

Report 36 is out!

Inside:

- Behind the scenes of the Littles of Cary investigation
- The conclusion of the water main break
- Some civic notices
.. and more!

Read below:

The Big Littles Edition

09/15/2026

💧 UPDATE: System Pressure Advisory Lifted
Bacteriological testing following Monday’s 30-inch water main break on N.C. 55 has confirmed that water is safe for normal use. Cary has lifted the System Pressure Advisory for affected water customers.

All 14 water samples collected from the affected area were absent of bacteria. Customers may resume normal water use.

💧 You may notice air in your pipes. Run water for roughly one minute to flush your lines and water-using fixtures.
💧Dispose of any ice or beverages made with tap water during the advisory.
💧Cary spraygrounds and fountains are resuming normal operations.

N.C. 55 remains open with two northbound lanes and one southbound lane between Jenks Road/Old Jenks Road and Lewey Drive/Turner Creek Road. Crews remain on-site, so please use caution and expect delays.

Questions? Cary 311 is open through 7 p.m. Tuesday. Visit carync.gov/311 for all the ways to connect.

09/14/2026

Would you expect one of the best places to get coffee in Cary to be in a Lowe’s (the hardware store) parking lot?

Abound Coffee is located at 2000 Walnut St., near the back of the parking lot, and it isn’t quite a secret anymore. The adorable coffee cart keeps regular hours Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and there always seems to be a steady line of customers waiting for a handcrafted drink.

Expect all of your espresso favorites, including pumpkin spice lattes, cappuccinos, lattes and more. If you aren’t in the mood for coffee, they also have hot chocolate and flavored lemonade.

There are a few snacks available too, but the ☕️ is clearly the star of the show.

Have you been yet?

09/14/2026

Cary residents in the Central Pressure Zone, which covers a majority of the town, are being advised to boil water for one minute prior to consumption out of an abundance of caution after a 30-inch water main break occurred early this morning.

The advisory will be in effect until at least 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, September 15.

Check the map below, and follow the town’s official channels for the latest updates.

⚠️ System Pressure Advisory Issued Following Water Main Break on N.C. 55

A System Pressure Advisory is in effect for water customers in Cary and Morrisville within the Central Pressure Zone following a 30-inch water main break early this morning.

💧 Affected customers are advised to boil water used for human consumption for one minute or use bottled water while the advisory is in effect. Customers are also strongly encouraged to conserve water whenever possible.

🚧 N.C. 55 is closed in both directions between Jenks Road/Old Jenks Road and Lewey Drive/Turner Creek Road. One lane in each direction is expected to reopen by 7 a.m., conditions permitting.

The advisory will remain in effect through at least 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, September 15. We’ll provide another update by noon today and share additional information as conditions change.

Learn more: https://www.carync.gov/Home/Components/News/News/17236/715

09/10/2026

A popular children’s clothing boutique that began in downtown Cary appeared to be expanding quickly. But behind the flourishing facade, vendors, contractors, customers, and employees say they were being swindled.

09/10/2026

A popular children’s clothing boutique that began in downtown Cary appeared to be expanding quickly. But behind the flourishing facade, vendors, contractors, customers, and employees say they were being swindled.

A popular children’s clothing boutique that began in downtown Cary appeared to be expanding quickly. But behind the flourishing facade, vendors, contractors, customers, and employees say they were being swindled.

09/09/2026

Someone was renting out Cary homes on TikTok. The people who live in them had no idea.

A one-bedroom in Cary for $660 a month. That was the pitch on a TikTok video that organically showed up in my feed last week, filmed inside what appeared to be an empty apartment with a Cary address stamped across the screen in large block letters.

I ended up texting with the person behind the listing, who asked me to buy an Apple gift card to approve my rental application, claimed to own a house he appeared to have never seen, and eventually called to yell expletives at me after learning I was a journalist.

More importantly, the account was advertising the addresses of real homes where real families are currently living, without the homeowners having any idea it was happening.

Full story in comments.

09/08/2026

Sweet Paris Opens at Fenton

Fenton has a new place for crêpes, coffee and a quick meal.

Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café opened last week at 1 Fenton Main Street (next to the movie theater), marking the Houston-based chain’s first North Carolina location.

The restaurant is also a bit different from the rest of Fenton’s dining lineup. Sweet Paris is currently the development’s only actual fast-casual restaurant, with guests ordering at the counter rather than sitting down for traditional table service for a full meal.

Because the restaurant is tucked away inside the development, the outdoor seating area is nice and quiet. If you order to-go, more outdoor seating options are in the field immediately across from the restaurant.

Despite the name, Sweet Paris goes well beyond dessert crêpes. The all-day menu includes savory crêpes, breakfast dishes, waffles, salads, bowls and paninis. You're also welcome to just pop in and grab a coffee.

Pictured are the Chicken Alfredo Crêpe and Pesto Ham Panini, two of the savory options available for lunch or dinner.

Sweet Paris got its start in Houston in 2012, when husband-and-wife founders Allison and Ivan Chavez opened their first location in the city. The brand has since expanded across the country.

Open daily from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
1 Fenton Main St, Suite 190, Cary NC (next to the movie theater)
https://www.sweetparis.com/locations/fenton