June Favorite Things

Ahhhh, here we are! It almost felt like the start of Summer might come and go without us realizing it, what with all the craziness that 2020 has brought to us.

But the good news is, we are starting to see some semblance of normalcy returning to day-to-day living. Beaches are reopening, people are getting more used to social distancing, and we are finally starting to look towards the future with a resolve to be hopeful and actionable once more!

In honor of summertime officially starting in just a couple of short weeks, we want to focus our monthly Favorite Things series on North Carolina’s Golden Coastline! While we could certainly compile an entire textbook-length guide to things to check out along our beautiful, unique NC beaches, we’ll do our best to just focus on a few standouts 😉

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Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Historical Landmarks to Explore With the Family

Undoubtedly, the NC coast is steeped in history. Being home to some of the first settler colonies, the NC coastline has seen its share of culture, war, environmental marvels, and more. The Southern coastline flaunts ancient Live Oaks covered in Spanish Moss and the northern beaches are scattered with wild horses and off-the-grid coastal living communities. A trip along the entire coast in which one navigates both the outer and inner bank environments would be as beautiful as it would be culturally enriching.

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Photo by Cam Bradford on Unsplash
  • Ft. Fisher/Aquarium — Located just south of Wilmington, Ft. Fisher is a preserved Confederate fort from the Civil War that fell spectacularly to the Union in 1865. Away from city lights, you can drive out to Ft. Fisher on a clear night to get some incredible views of the milky way. Watch out, though, it’s reported to be extremely haunted! And it certainly feels that way– nestled between a rocky seashore and the Cape Fear River, its Live Oaks are gnarled and draped in Spanish moss. On a bright, sunny day, however, this is a great place to take a stroll and read up on some history of the fort along the way. You can pause to admire the river, head a little way south and walk about a mile down to the Ft. Fisher Hermit’s bunker, and then drive down to the aquarium to see Luna, the albino alligator!
  • Cape Hatteras Lighthouse — First commissioned in 1794 to help mariners avoid the dangerous shoals of the Hatteras cape, the lighthouse has been a significant part of the North Carolina coast for centuries! During World War II, the lighthouse became a lookout station for German U Boats. As the sea level has risen over the years, the lighthouse and its companion buildings were moved. You can visit the site and read up more on its history– it is managed by the National Parks Service!
  • North Carolina Battleship — The USS North Carolina protected American coastlines during  World War II. The ship was quite active during the war and it is now retired, resting in the Cape Fear River just outside of Wilmington. You can visit it and take guided tours, including ghost tours!
  • Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Center — If you visit Kitty Hawk this summer, be sure to take some time to visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial to find out why North Carolina is the “First in Flight” state!
  • North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort/Blackbeard’s Final Home in Bath — Beaufort, NC is a quaint river town full to the brim of that quintessential NC charm! If you’d like to know more about NC’s maritime history, the museum in Beaufort is located right on the Intracoastal Waterway and is a wonderful place to get educated on our state’s rich coastal history! While you’re in the area, take a drive over to Bath, where the infamous pirate Blackbeard made his home! You can literally walk in Blackbeard’s footsteps!
  • Manteo/The Lost Colony — Visit the Outer Banks’s Lost Colony at Manteo! If you are interested, you can attend a play detailing the historical events of the lost Croatan colony.

Top-Notch Seafood

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Photo by Abraham Garcia on Unsplash

You can’t get seafood like this anywhere else! Fresh-caught local blue crabs, scallops, and oysters are among some of our favorites to enjoy while visiting the beach! Don’t be afraid to try new things at some of these restaurants!

  • Outer Banks Boil Company — With locations in Carolina Beach, Kitty Hawk, and Corolla, there’s no excuse not to check out this joint that offers traditional NC seafood! Get a boil pot, have a feast!
  • Miller’s Waterfront Restaurant — If you’re looking for tranquil/romantic, this is your spot! Be sure to make a point to have a meal at this Nag’s Head restaurant so that you can gaze out over the beautiful Roanoke Sound while you dine.
  • Dock St. Oyster Bar — A classic Wilmington staple restaurant! You can dine right on the Cape Fear River in an environment that feels fancy but is actually very relaxed and casual!
  • Bridge Tender — Another classic Wilmington staple. If dining downtown on the river doesn’t quite float your boat, you can head down to Wrightsville Beach for dinner on the Intracoastal Waterway instead. You simply can’t beat the beauty of this location.
  • Waterfront Seafood Shack — When you travel to NC’s famous south-facing beaches, make sure to stop in Calabash for some truly delicious fresh-caught local wild seafood.

Fun for Thrill-Seekers

Photo By Michelle Odom

If you’re more of a get out and get your hands dirty kind of traveler who really loves to get into nature, you have several exciting options!

  • Hang Gliding at Jockey’s Ridge — Ah, the forbidden fruit of the sand dunes! Yes, it’s true, we dare not trample them and disturb the delicate bird and sea turtle nests among them. If you find yourself near Jockey’s Ridge, however, you can book a hang gliding lesson over the dunes to get that bird’s eye view!
  • OBX Ghost Tours — We really wouldn’t recommend missing out on the North Carolina coast’s haunted history! While in Manteo, you’ll want to muster up all your courage and attend one of these guided tours. Fun fact– if you’re a bit further south near Wilmington, the downtown neighborhoods also have an extremely haunted past! The Ghost Tour of Old Wilmington will teach you a lot about local history… and the specters that stick around to this day.
  • Rent a Paddleboard or Cruiser Bike — No matter where you end up along our beautiful coastline, we definitely recommend checking out one of the several amazing bike/paddleboard rental shops along the way. There really is no better way to explore the beaches than by getting out in nature.

Our Favorite Beaches

Photo by Michell Odom

We all know of the really popular beaches like Wrightsville, Carolina, Corrolla/Duck, Nag’s Head, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Topsail, etc. But what about some of the beaches that are less talked about? Oh, we’re going to talk about them!

  • Kure Beach/Ft. Fisher — Near Wilmington. These beaches are a little out of the way, so they’re less traveled than Wrightsville or Carolina!
  • Emerald Isle — The stretch of beaches just south of the OBX between the Bogue Inlet and the Beaufort Inlet include Emerald Isle, Indian Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Fort Macon. If you can take some time to take a boat ride over the Shakleford Banks, you’ll get to see the wild horses that have occupied this space for decades!
  • Cape Lookout — You have to travel to Cape Lookout by boat, but this is one of the best places along the NC coast to view wildlife and collect shells! Be sure to check with local wildlife authorities to make sure you don’t collect anything endagered or living on accident!
  • Sunset Beach — NC’s south-facing beaches offer spectacular points for shell collecting and beach lounging. Since Sunset isn’t too close to any major cities, it’s a nice play to just get away and unwind.
  • Maritime forests of Oak Island — Not accessible by car, you can take a ferry from Southpoint over to Oak Island and then either rent a golf cart or bike to get around the island for the day. Fun fact– Oak Island is the northernmost point at which palm fronds grow! The ancient maritime forests on this island are a MUST see! We don’t have much left along our coasts as developments continue to spread.

That’s all for now! We definitely left you with plenty of information to make your time at the beach really count this summer. We wish we could provide an exhaustive list, but like we said… we’d have to write an entire textbook for that!

If you need us or would like to chat with us about anything at all, never hesitate to reach out.

Until July! Happy beaching! 🏖️

May Favorite Things

There’s a lot to be thankful for this May!

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Photo by Courtney Hedger on Unsplash

Can you believe that two months ago, we were still living relatively normally? It was only two months ago that we found out about the severity of the new coronavirus making its way to the United States. It’s only been two months that we’ve dealt with the repercussions of COVID-19 in our lives and our businesses. Sometimes, it feels more like a lifetime than two months.

However, we’re here to bring you some positive news. Our community has been beyond amazing in the way that people have looked out for each other, found ways to provide for each other, and used creativity to solve completely brand-new problems. So, we want to pay homage to our community in this month’s post. We’re proud to be North Carolinians who know that we are only ever as strong as our neighbors.

Let’s shout out our heroes!

Individuals Who Have Gone Above and Beyond

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Photo by Jessica Podraza on Unsplash

  • Raleigh native Amy Schiller is using her singer-songwriter talents to shout out and celebrate healthcare workers who have gone above and beyond to keep their communities safe. Her brand new song and music video, “Hero to Me,” is a message of support and gratitude for her community. The Berklee College of Music sophomore is raising funds for the UNC Health Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund.
  • Charlotte, NC pharmacist, Harry Patel, started making masks with his family to provide to at-risk seniors. Others in his community noticed his family’s work and asked to get involved. Now, they have a small army of volunteers who are working hard to make sure seniors have what they need to stay safe.

Restaurants That Are Donating Meals

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Photo by Peter Dawn on Unsplash

  • Although St. Roch, a New Orleans-esque seafood restaurant in downtown Raleigh, is down to a single person operating business due to the crisis, it hasn’t stopped them from doing what they can. Chef and owner Sunny Gerhart is working 7 days a week to provide meals for takeout orders. In addition to continuing to drive sales in the only way he can, he’s also been preparing and donating meals for Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. If you’re in the Raleigh area, be sure to look into supporting St. Roch so they can spring back better than ever once restaurants reopen!
  • Makus Empanadas in Durham is also going above and beyond! They have started a “Pay It Forward Initiative” in which for every dozen empanadas a customer purchases, they will include another dozen in the order for free. The idea is that the customer will then donate their extra dozen to a member of the community in need– healthcare workers, elderly, and any other individuals who are at-risk.
  • Like St. Roch, Raleigh’s Ole Time Barbecue has faced uncertain times due to COVID-19. They have been forced to make tough decisions and to cut staff. This hasn’t stopped them from lending a helping hand where they’re able, though. Staff have been donating eggs from their own personal chicken coop, preparing meals for frontline workers, and running a “pay it forward program” in which customers can donate a meal to someone in need.

Organizations Who Answered the Call

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Photo by Kat Yukawa on Unsplash

  • The North Carolina Healthcare Association has started their “Feeding the Soul” initiative in which they are continuing to build partnerships with local restaurants in an effort to thank and comfort healthcare heroes and frontline workers who are tirelessly caring for patients during this time.
  • NC Realtors are working hard to provide free online resources for real estate agents who are finding that the way they work has been entirely turned on its head! Their Facebook page has plenty of webinars, resources, and chances to network so that agents don’t feel lost during this time and are able to keep a productive business going!
  • Inter-Faith Food Shuttle has partnered with several local companies and organizations to make sure that nobody goes hungry during this time due to loss of resources. They are helping to keep kids who relied on school lunches fed by partnering with school nutrition teams and are offering full hot meals to families in need. They are currently partnered with over 100 local organizations and have provided meals for around 60,000 individuals a month!! They continue to ask for donations, both monetary and in-kind.
  • On Mother’s Day, The Sunday Supper invited individuals to share a photo of their Mother’s Day meals on social media. For every post, they pledged to donate $1 to The North Carolina Restaurant Workers Relief Fund after already donating $10,000 to the fund previously. With how many of our awesome community members are out of work due to restaurants closing, this is GREAT news!

Until Next Time

That’s all for now! We wish we could take the time to write a 20-page essay on all the ways our community has been stepping up over the past two months! This article only begins to skim the surface. If you know of other similar stories, be sure to share them with your friends, families, and peers! We all need more GOOD NEWS during this time!

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We continue to be here for you in whatever ways we can. Much love

❤️

 

 

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April Favorite Things

Wow! It’s been a crazy few weeks since we last posted about our favorite things. If you’re feeling anything like us, your head is spinning from all the changes, heavy news reports, and growing uncertainties. The one thing that we know to be true is that we are all in this together. As a small local business, we want to acknowledge that these are difficult times to navigate. However, we’ve noticed some beautiful ways our community has banded together to support one another.  We want to use this month’s post to celebrate our community for pulling together and finding ways to persevere! Settle in for a few moments while we shout out a few of the small businesses that have been affected by social distancing and mandatory shutdowns. 

*Cue enthusiastic round of applause!*

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Photo by Muhamad Reza Junianto on Unsplash

Our favorite small businesses still running with altered operations

Some of our community’s local businesses are finding ways to stay busy and lift each other up. We are inspired by and grateful for every business that has approached these challenges head-on with an open mind! Here are our favorites:

  1. Raleigh Woodworks is working with businesses to help them find inspiration and look to the future despite social distancing mandates forcing them to close their doors to the public for now. According to the CARES Act, businesses are getting tax credits for capital improvements made during this time, and Raleigh Woodworks is helping their peers make those improvements! 
  2. Classy Stitches is truly stepping up and altering their productions to make PPE masks for healthcare workers who are at risk of not having access to the proper protective supplies. 
  3. Corridor Consulting is providing a great example of how we can use empathy and compassion during these times by offering free marketing consultations to businesses who are having trouble navigating these uncharted waters. 

Restaurants Offering Curbside Pickup, Delivery, and Gift Cards

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Photo by Michael Browning on Unsplash

Although we can’t physically go out to eat at our favorite restaurants for the foreseeable future, it’s important that we find ways to support them so that they can get through these times. There are still several places that are offering delivery and/or carry-out of your favorite dishes! Here are our favorites– we encourage you to support them and any other restaurants that you enjoy near your home! 

  1. Lilly’s Pizza is located on Glenwood Ave. in Raleigh near downtown. They are currently offering curbside pickup and gift cards. What could be better? Your favorite Lilly’s pies are available for you to pick up without ever having to leave your car! 
  2. Barefoot’s Country Store & Grill is located in Smithfield. They remain dedicated to crafting tasty southern comfort food specials every day, just as always. Social distancing can’t keep them down! 
  3. Tavern 42 in Clayton is reported to be truly working hard to continue to bring a smile to their neighbor’s faces by having LIVE music playing outside while you wait in your car for curbside pickup (weather permitting). If you place an order, there’s a fair chance you may be able to experience the merriment for yourself. We all could stand to add a little cheer to our day through music, no?

Our Favorite Businesses That Are Closed, But Still Need Us

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Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

It’s easy to get swept up in all the awesome things our community is doing, but we can’t let those who had no choice but to temporarily close their doors be forgotten. 

  1. Golden Salon & Dry Bar in Wilmington has closed their doors, but they are offering discounts on gift cards. Let’s be honest– we’re all definitely going to need haircuts after all this is over. Why not go ahead and buy a cut/color now in the form of a gift card to help them carry through these tough times?
  2. Jones Cafe is located in downtown Clayton. Out of respect for their team, their family members, and the rest of the community, they made the difficult decision to stay at home and close until April 30th in an effort to help “flatten the curve.” We admire their move, and encourage you to show them some love once this is all over! Also, if you’ve ever eaten there before and enjoyed their killer hotdogs, help them out by leaving a review on their Facebook page! 
  3. Revolution Modern Martial Arts is here for those of us with little ones at home who still need plenty of exercise and activities. It can be hard to keep the kids properly engaged during a stay-at-home order, and we know a lot of parents have spent time worrying about this. Virtual martial arts classes can help keep kids healthy and positive during this frustrating time. 

Until Next Time!

That’s all we’ve got for you for now. We sincerely hope that you all stay safe, healthy, and happy this month. We realize that times are challenging for all of us, but try not to forget that we are truly all in this together, and we will get through the hard times by working together. If you’d like to tell us about the great things you’ve been noticing going on in the community, please let us know! We’ll continue to keep everyone updated and to do our part to share some warmth and love with our friends whenever we can! We hope you’ll do the same ❤️

March Favorite Things

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Image courtesy of Anna Guerrero on Pexels.com

Earlier this week, we all lost an hour of sleep as we set our clocks forward, inching ourselves one hour closer to Spring! If you’re like most people, you’re probably feeling a little groggy from the time change. Hang in there, though, because North Carolina has come alive with signs of springtime—warmer temperatures have spread across the state, the carpenter bees have awoken from their slumbers underground, and the pollen is tickling our noses. All around us are little celebrations of life. We have wildflower blooms joyfully dancing through our neighborhoods and fresh blossoms bringing pale pinks, whites, and greens to our trees once again! We want to invite you to come back to life this month, just as mother nature has. The North Carolina mountains are the perfect place to do this. You might even get to see a black bear coming out of hibernation (from a nice, safe distance)! Here are our March Favorites to help inspire you to get back out there.

1. Go Out to Eat for Dinner

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Image courtesy of Adrienn on Pexels.com

Celebrate that extra hour of sunlight in the evening by going out to dinner with your family and friends! A dinner with a view can be all you need to kick the winter sleepies away. Or, get out early for a nice breakfast or lunch excursion and then take a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Whatever meal you decide to get out for, have a bite, have a drink, laugh a lot, and be sure to just enjoy the moment. Here are some of our favorite restaurants in Boone, NC:

  • Sunrise Grille – This restaurant has, hands down, the BEST breakfast and lunch. You seriously can’t go wrong with anything at all on their menu. Our absolute favorite picks are the Ultimate Benedict and The Bob Marley. This menu has reasonable prices and HUGE portions, perfect for all you ultimate foodies.
  • Gamekeeper – Tucked away on the side of a mountain, this charming and rustic spot will bring out your inner mountain man (or woman!) with its laid-back environment. Don’t let the comfortable atmosphere fool you, though. Their food is on par with some of our state’s most celebrated fine dining—without all the fuss of having to get all dolled up. When you get there, consider trying the Emu & Bison!(For any love birds out there- this restaurant was also voted as one of the most romantic restaurants in all of NC!)

2. Go Back in Time

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Image courtesy of horninthewest.com/museum

Head still spinning from the time change? Why don’t you hop all the way back to life during the Revolutionary War by visiting the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum? This museum will help you get a feel for life before the constant din and clatter of traffic, cell phones, and televisions. Run by the Southern Appalachian Historical Society, this museum provides an immersive experience with guided tours and educational programs all celebrating the daily lives of our colonial ancestors. Learn how early settlers sustained life in Appalachia from the staff and volunteers dressed in period costumes using old-timey tools. This is a great one for kids and adults, alike!

3. Support Local Business

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Image courtesy of Pixabay on Pexels.com

Our featured business this month is nestled in the gorgeous NC mountains. Chip Hewett is your classic good ‘ole southern lawyer. He’s a real top-notch guy, providing the Selma, NC community with top-notch service. His legal firm, Hewett Law Group, P.A., offers services in the following legal matters:

  • Real Estate
  • Estate Administration, Wills, and Trusts
  • Corporate and Business Law
  • Criminal and Traffic Law
  • Automobile Accidents
  • Wrongful Death Claims
  • Worker’s Compensation Claims
  • Civil Litigation
  • Arbitration and Mediation
  • Municipal Law

We recommend you give Chip a call if you need legal assistance in Selma!

That’s All for Now!

We hope you have FUN this month. Let’s take advantage of these warmer temperatures and get outside, have some fun, and find ways to reconnect with our communities! We’ll be back next month with another round of Favorite Things in April! In the meantime, don’t be a stranger! If you’d like to learn more about what we’re up to, please shoot us a line!

January Favorite Things: 3 Ways to Unplug in NC!

Who else is in desperate need to unplug? In this digital age, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle-and-bustle of modern living. When you live in a beautiful and vibrant place like North Carolina, luckily, there are plenty of places to kick off your digital detox. That’s why we’re focusing our January Favorites on 3 ways to make your digital detox as easy as 1,2,3!

Check-In to a Luxury Resort

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Photo by Breakingpic on Pexels.com

Sometimes a change of scenery is just the thing you need to kick some bad digital habits. Check yourself into a luxury hotel with plenty of amenities to help you slow down and stay in the moment. One of our favorites is the Grove Park Inn for relaxation at any time of the year. 

There are so many amenities, that it’s hard to list them all, but here are a couple of our favorites: 

  • Luxury Spas
  • Farm-to-Table Restaurants
  • Indoor and Outdoor Pools

With panoramic mountain views and guest rooms to drool over, you’ll find little desire to check Facebook. Learn more about how to book your room on their website. 

Learn More about NC History

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When you live in North Carolina, you’re surrounded by a rich and abundant history— from the Mountains to the Coast! You don’t have to turn to google to learn about NC culture, you can visit in person! Some of our favorite slices of history include:

  • Check out The Biltmore Estates: Since it opened to the public in 1930, Biltmore Estates has been attracting people from across the country. With its bounty of exhibits, tours, and more, it’s no wonder!
  • Dive into the Mystery of The Lost Colony: Nags Head Outer Banks is not only a gorgeous must-see, but it’s also home to one of OBX’s biggest attractions, a play that explores the mystery of an NC settlement that suddenly disappeared without a trace. Don’t wait–book your tickets to the 2020 season of The Lost Colony today!

Take a Trip to the Beach

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Photo by Bella White on Pexels.com

If all else fails, taking a trip to the NC Coast is sure to be just the ticket to help you unplug! There’s simply SO much to do that we made a quick list to help you find the right spot to visit:

That’s All for Now!

We hope that you found some great things to do, visit, and experience in this list to help you unplug! We’ll be back for our next round of favorite things in February! In the meantime, if you’re looking to learn more about our developments in Johnston County, then don’t hesitate to reach out! 

It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

Wow! This year has flown by fast!

Anyone else feel like they say that every year? Is that a sign of aging or having fun? To be determined… anyway, it’s time to take a moment to reflect on these past 11 months, in an attempt to slow down the clock a bit, so we’re trying something new – How do you like our NEW BLOG?!

We wanted to start a new tradition of documenting all our favorite things, all year long! What better time to start than the holiday season? From caroling in Clayton, to parades in Princeton, and all the stops in between. We’ll guide you through all the best parts of Johnston County to get you through this holiday season.

A night of lights

Grab your coats and call some friends! I don’t care how old you are, Holiday lights are always fun!

Meadow Lights in Benson are the largest and oldest Christmas light show in eastern North Carolina. They’re open Sunday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, and Friday-Saturday 5pm-11pm.

If you’re in Clayton, gather the entire family to enjoy a festive hayride through Boyette Farms. Lights on the Neuse begins Nov 29 and ends Dec 24 in Clayton.

Mark your calendars

Holiday Music For Everyone in Johnston County

The Clayton Center is hosting an array of plays, comedy and music fit for the holiday season. Be sure to check their calendar of events for something to do every week. If you’re in the Selma area, stop by the Rudy Theater now through December 28, for a matinee or evening show of their Christmas Jubilee Live @The Rudy.

Shopping for the Holidays

With so many places to shop, we couldn’t name just one place. Because your friends and family have different needs, you need different options when it comes to shopping for the perfect gift. We’ve selected a few of our top favorite places to shop around JoCo.

Need more options, we’ve got a whole list!

Take a break. You deserve it.

Check out the local art wares or grab a gift card for a great present idea at Revival 1869.

All of this holiday shopping is a lot of work! We recommend taking a night off, to enjoy a cocktail with friends, at Clayton’s Revival 1869. Revival is a sophisticated whiskey bar with top shelf concoctions and live jazz music every Thursday and Saturday night!

When you’re feeling hungry, invite friends and family to join you at Under the Oak Restaurant and Bar in Smithfield. With locally sourced food and family owned atmosphere, this is one our brand new favorite places to eat around JoCo. Be sure to ask about their catering options for your next gathering.

Celebrate the Holiday Season in Johnston County

The holiday season can be crazy, so enjoy the small things that surround you. If you’ve been thinking about making a move to the Johnston County area, then give us a call or contact us to discuss your options.

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