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

Having Their Cake—and Selling It Too

The often-maligned fruitcake has a loyal following thanks to a family business with a just-right recipe. BY KURT DUSTERBERG No matter how you approach Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More on

2024 Holiday Gift Guide

Need gift ideas for loved ones on your list? Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide offers homegrown options for everyone. Shop local this holiday season, and bring your friends and family

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

Departments

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Want to unwind with a glass of wine in a space inspired by Holly Springs’ rapidly growing and strong sense of community? 🍷Founder Joe Sherrier created the concept of Wine 100 for just that with shop manager and operator Bob Kaufmann. 

“My wife and I wanted to establish roots in Holly Springs—not just to settle down, but to become a part of the community.” Sherrier says. “We enjoyed the idea of not only visiting a wine shop but also having a glass of wine while meeting our neighbors.” 

Read the full story “Curating Fine Wines with a Community Focus” by Jennifer Primrose in the current issue at the link in bio. 

📷: Photo by @joshmanningtv
•GIVEAWAY• win 4 tix to THE RINK at @redhatamphitheater ⛸️🧊

We’ve partnered with Red Hat Amphitheater to give away 4 tickets for 2 hours of ice skating on December 7 at 6:30p. 🎟️ Enjoy a winter wonderland ❄️ complete with:

🎄A 20 ft holiday tree
🪵 Fire Pits 
☕️ Hot Coco
🧊 Cozy Igloo Lounges with Food & Beverage Packages 

All with a backdrop of the Raleigh skyline 🏙️ 

Follow the following accounts on Facebook and Instagram: 
@redhatamphitheater 
@midtownmagazine 
@trianglefamilymag 
@5westmag 

Then head to the form at the link in our profile for an entry to win. 🔗

We’ll select one winner at random from our Midtown, 5 West and Triangle Family readers November 20. Good luck! 

THE RINK is located at 500 S. McDowell Street and runs November 23-January 20. Tickets can be purchased at redhatamphitheater.com 🎟️

📷 Photo Courtesy of THE RINK

(This #giveaway is not associated with or sponsored by Instagram)
Want to enjoy hosting the holidays this year without all the prep work, cooking and cleaning? 🍽️ Impress your guests while supporting local businesses in Wake. We’ve rounded up who’s offering all the delicious prepared meals and fixings this Thanksgiving. 🦃 Click the link in bio to find out who’s serving what to preorder your family’s favorites. #eatlocal #localbusiness #supportlocal 

✍️ Writing by Elizabeth Brignac 
📷 Photo Courtesy of @samjonesbbq
Whether you’re looking to celebrate the season with: 

🎄The Apex Tree Lighting
🎅 Cary’s Jaycees Christmas Parade 
✨ Holiday lights in Fuquay-Varina Mineral Springs Park
🍰 Tasting seasonal sweets in Holly Springs 🍰
❄️Walking in Park West Village’s Winter Wonderland 

We’ve got you covered! Discover how the 5 towns of Western Wake are celebrating the holidays in “News Around Town” available now in the current issue. Click the link in bio ⛓️‍💥to read and save this post to reference later. 🚩

📷 Photo of Christmas Tree in Fenton Square Courtesy of @fentonnc
Many honored military veterans over the Triangle this past weekend leading up to Veterans Day like the Field of Flags in Cary’s Veterans Freedom Park. Flags were placed in honor of those who have served in the armed forces for Veterans Day 2024. The tribute was provided by Veterans Bridge Home made possible by their volunteers from Parexel and Boy Scout Troop 200. Veterans Bridge Home is an organization that works to connect veterans and their families in any state of transition to the community. For more information visit veteransbridgehome.org 🇺🇸

📷 Photo Courtesy of carync.gov
Filling your feed with the most festive local flavors for your holiday table in the November/December issue headed to a media stand near you! In the issue: 

🥧 Discover Delicous Holiday Treats in and around the Triangle
🫶🏼 The Carying Place
🎄 Seasonal Celebrations 
🎁 Holiday Gift Guide 
👩🏻‍💼2024 Influential Women of Wake

Grab your copy and then head to the link in profile to read the full issue 🔗 #newissue #holiday #guiftguide #local #localeats #localevents 

📷: Photo of La Farm Bakery Apple Tart Courtesy of @lafarmbakery
This weekend the world is your oyster! 🦪 Enjoy seafood and brews at @carolinabrewery ‘s Seventh Annual Oyster Roast happening this Saturday, Nov. 2, 1-8 p.m. 🍻 The event will benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation and @obxparksforever 🌊 Admission is free and freshly steamed or raw oysters will be available for purchase by the half-dozen or dozen.🍽️ The oysters, sourced from North Carolina’s own Ghost Fleet Oyster Co., will be served by the oyster farmers, for a farm-to-table experience.🍴 #oysters #localseafood #foodie #foodiegram 

📷 Photo Courtesy of @carolinabrewerybrewpubs
Ready to deck the halls 🔔 in a snow-ver the top celebration? ❄️ Join @avarooftopbarcary atop @sportssocialnccary in @fentonnc for a Holiday Cocktail Making class on Nov 28.🍸 And be sure to check out their spectacular immersive holiday experience Tuesday- Sunday beginning Nov 14- Dec 28 of tinsel, 🎄twinkling lights,✨ small bites, and private igloos for reservation. 🧊 For more info visit avarooftopbar.com #deckthehalls #holidayrecipes #holidayhappenings #carync #cary #fenton 

📷 Photo Courtesy of @avarooftopbarcary
Are you a rides fan or fair foodie? 🎡🎠🎢 If it’s the treats you’re after we’ve rounded up some local favorites and fair-exclusives in “Local Vendors Available at the @ncstatefair “ by Kyle Marie McMahon. Click the link in bio for the full list and tag a friend you want to try them with!👇🏽#fairfoods #ncstatefair #gottobenc #foodiegram #localfun 

📷 Photo Courtesy of @lafarmbakery of Pumpkin Beignets available at their Fair Booth 🎃
Want to do a bit of holiday shopping? 🎁 Or add a bit of sparkle to your own collection? ✨🪩 We won’t tell what your choose. 🤫  But we will tell you this is your sign to enter for a chance win a $500 gift card to @baileysfinejewelry 💍 that Bailey’s gifting to TWO ✌️lucky winners. 🏆 To enter just stop by your nearest location to pick up one of their adorable “Bailey the Box” plush toys and snap a photo with Bailey on your next trip ✈️ or fun adventure. For full rules and details visit baileybox.com/baileythebox. 💎 Contest ends 10/26. Don’t forget to tell them @5westmag sent you.💙 #baileys #baileysfinejewelry #everywomanwantsabaileysbox 

📷 Photo Courtesy of @baileysfinejewelry
A caldron cocktail to kick off the weekend? 🧙‍♀️🍸 Head to the link in bio to find all the spooky specials around town. 🔗 #spookyseason #cocktailoclock #weekendmode 

✍️: “Triangle Bars Offer Deliciously Spooky Halloween Cocktails” by Elizabeth Brignac 
📷: Cover Photo Courtesy of @corpserevivercocktailbar
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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.