Experience the Best of Western Wake

5 West magazine is devoted to exploring and celebrating life in Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs. This area repeatedly ranks among the top regions in the country to live or work, to find a home or start a business, to raise a family or retire. 5 West is dedicated to covering the topics readers care about – from hometown stories and community spotlights to fashion, food and local trends. Published six times a year, 5 West helps readers enjoy the good life that Western Wake County has to offer.

Features

This Year’s Diamond Award Winners

Voting has begun for the 2025 BEST OF WESTERN WAKE and BEST OF RALEIGH Diamond Awards! Click here to vote for the Best of Western Wake 2025 Click here to

2024 Meet the Doctors

PHOTOS BY JENN MCKINNEY PHOTOGRAPHY AND LEAH MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY The Triangle offers some of the highest-quality health care in the country. Here’s your chance to meet local providers and learn

Fashion: Preparing for the Glam Season

BY CRYSTAL WATTS  |  STYLED BY SOFIA LUJAN STYLING HAIR & MAKEUP BY EVELISSE HAHN  | PHOTOS BY JESSICA BRATTON PHOTOGRAPHY Fall brings in the most influential fashion season of

Fun in the Sun on Jordan Lake

PICTURED ABOVE: A family enjoys a canoeing adventure on Jordan Lake. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cary. Camping, swimming and boating are great ways to spend warm summer days

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Grand Opening week!✨ @timberpizzaco_raleigh is bringing their wood-fired pizza to town. The establishment is expanding to Raleigh after 10 years in Washington DC. 🍕Experience their inventive flavors and fresh pies at their brand new location opening tomorrow at 627 E Whitaker Mill Rd #grandopening #restaurantopening #pizzapie #woodfiredpizza #eatlocal

📸: Photo Courtesy of @timberpizzaco_raleigh
Happening ✨NOW!✨ Will @collettacary take the gold 🏆 for their Olivero at Sea specialty drink with olive oil fat washed vodka, vanilla liqueur and gold flake garnish? 🥂 Your votes decide! Join the @fentonnc “Shaken + Stirred” until 9p.🍸The cocktail competition🍹 will feature live music 🎶 as you visit each participating restaurant to purchase their event-exclusive drink. Participants receive a souvenir shot glass 🥃 and will be entered to win a @baileysfinejewelry gift card. 💍 All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit those in Western NC affected by Hurricane Helene. 🎟️ Visit the link in bio for more info. 🔗 #hurricanehelene #disasterrelief #fenton #fenton #cary #carync #caryrestaurants #cocktailsforacause
You’re invited! 💌 Join us for the “Shaken + Stirred” event in @fentonnc tomorrow 5p-9p.🍸The cocktail competition🍹 will feature live music 🎶 as you visit each participating restaurant to purchase their event-exclusive drink. Your votes 🗳️ will decide the winner. 🏆 Participants receive a souvenir shot glass 🥃 and will be entered to win a @baileysfinejewelry gift card. 💍 All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit those in Western NC affected by Hurricane Helene. 🎟️ Visit the link in bio for more info. 🔗 #hurricanehelene #disasterrelief #fenton #fenton #cary #carync #caryrestaurants #cocktailsforacause
It’s a new month of brand new performances in “Onstage in October.” 🎭 Click the link in bio to see all of the shows happening in your area. 🔗 #localtheatre #localperformances #onstagethismonth 

✍️: Elizabeth Brignac 
📷: Photo Courtesy of Cary Players
Comment below if you were out and about in the beautiful weekend weather.👇🏽We stopped by @fentonnc to shop @thegatorbugboutique and their new arrivals 🛍️ What’s your favorite @fentonnc shop?
Get ready for Panther Creek High School Invitational Battle of the Bands tomorrow! 🎶🥁 Don’t forget to stop by Dr. Booker’s booth of @goodall.family.dentistry 🪥 for a chance to win a prize 🏆 and enter their raffle for more chances to win bigger prizes all throughout the day.  #battleofthebands #cary #carync #carymoms #familydentist
Co-owners Tom and Amy McGrath of Assaggio’s Pizzeria Ristorante in Fuqauy-Varina celebrate 20 years in business. The two opened in 2004 after relocating from Minnesota appreciating the area’s small town feel and have been serving the community delicious pizza pies ever since. 🍕 To read more pick up a copy of the recent issue and click the link in the bio to ready “Savory Aromas” by Drew Becker in the News around Town Fuquay-Varina section.
Congrats to our Women’s Wolfpack 🐺 Cross Country Team on taking 1st place 🥇 in the adidas Cross Country Challenge at WakeMed Soccer Park. 🥅 The State Men’s team took 2nd 🥈 in the 12th annual event. You don’t have to wait until next year to get in on the action. Read more on this and all the scheduled events this fall at WakeMed Soccer Park ⚽️ in “Cary Brings Cross Country Events to Western Wake” at the link in bio.🔗 #GoPack #GoPackGo #Cary #CaryNC #WakeMed #WakeMedSoccerPark 

✍️ Written by Kyle Marie McMahon
📷 Photo Courtesy of NC State Athletics
✨ONE WEEK✨left to vote for your favorite local businesses in the #DiamondAwards 💎 Show your favorite businesses your support by voting for them at the link in bio 🫶🏼
🎥: 360 Platform by @triangletwirl 
📷: Photo by @jennmckinneyphotography
Cary has been named one of the top 20 cities with the most diverse food per capita in the US according to a recent study. While the area is known for their diverse restaurants, what may be a surprise is that there are 36 different international grocery located in Western Wake. 🛒 “Western Wake is a smorgasboard of international grocery options,” notes our editor, Elizabeth Brignac. The most recent issue of 5 West covers 5 locally owned stores, and you can read even more about the various options in the online article “36 Western Wake International Grocery Stores” at the link in bio. 🔗 #internationalgrocer #internationalgrocery #westernwake #cary #carync 

✍️: Written by Elizabeth Brignac
📷: Photo of Bombay Central Courtesy of Elizabeth Brignac
Meet Julie Patel of @julkeefashion - A local designer who turns traditional saris into practical fashion. Originally from Charlotte now based in the Triangle Julie is a self taught local mogul who is known for her unique aesthetic. She offers trendy and practical pieces to those looking to get more wear out of these intricate fabrics. Read more about her story in “Designer Julie Patel Brings New Life to Traditional Garments” in the cover story of the latest issue on media stands now and at the link in bio.🥻
Preparing for the Upcoming ✨GLAM SEASON✨ is the latest Style piece in the September/October issue on media stands now. You won’t want to miss the imagery captured by @jqbrattonphoto in the stunning home of Raleigh’s @designbytula Enjoy this season’s latest collections styled by @sofialujanstyling and find out where you can source the pieces for yourself from local boutiques.

📍Location @designbytula
👡Styled by @sofialujanstyling
📷 Photographed by @jqbrattonphoto
💄Hair and makeup by @makeupbyevelisse
👢Modeled by @pinkcurlsnheels, Sophie Lapierre, and Shaun Smith
✍️ Written by @crystalcwatts

Special thanks to:
@baileysfinejewelry @dhmfurs
@dressraleigh @fallonsflowers @fleurraleigh @julkeefashion @liles_clothing @mainandtaylorshoes @rangonishoes_raleigh_nc
@cantina18
@gaswil
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The Newcomer’s Guide to Western Wake

Your Invaluable Resource from 5 West Magazine BY ELIZABETH BRIGNAC The Basics Welcome to Western Wake! Here is some basic information along with links to help you get started here.