Apex Good Living

Everybody loves Apex for it’s “small town character”, yet we were missing something that every small town always had, a local pharmacy. Nothing against the “big ones”, but there is just something about a locally owned and operated pharmacy. A place where the person behind the counter doesn’t change as fast as the stoplight up the street, where they remember you by name, and ask how little Johnny is recovering from that ear infection.

The Peak City Pharmacy now fills that void. Appropriately situated in the heart of downtown Apex, across from the fire station, next to the coffee shop. It somehow seems like it just belongs there.

The only challenge for the pharmacy is whether people will not only like the “idea”, but become loyal customers. People always seem to love the “idea” of the mom & pop shop, but then they spend their money at the big box store.  A local shopkeeper was telling me a while back about a lady who came into her store and commented that she couldn’t believe Carleys had closed. They closed over 3 years ago, shop owner replied. The customer said “Really! I can’t imagine why, I loved that place!” The shop owner said she couldn’t help but reply “Perhaps it was because their loyal customers hadn’t been there in 3 years!”

Sadly this is so often true. It goes beyond not appreciating what we have. We take no responsibility for keeping it around. We make excuses, we have our reasons. Sometimes it’s convenience, sometimes its (percieved) price. Most of the time we just don’t think about it!

Hopefully this won’t be the case for the pharmacy. For those with insurance, price shouldn’t be an excuse. For those without it, don’t worry, the price difference isn’t what you probably expect.

Although it’s not in the grocery store or target where we are shopping anyway, the drive through certainly takes away the convenience argument! If that’s not enough, they offer FREE local delivery service too!

Did I mention compounding? What is compounding? Compounding allows for prescriptions to be filled in different forms, flavors, suspensions, etc. This is great for those allergic to common ingredients, or those with kids who hate to take medicine! They can make it “less yucky!”

For a limited time they are even giving away a  free “webkinz” with every new or transferred prescription! (if you don’t have kids and don’t know what that is, it’s a stuffed animal that your grandkids or friends kid will love you for!)

They even do pet meds too! How cool is that?

So take time to stop in and say hello to the folks at The Peak City pharmacy. Commit to them as they have committed to our community by taking the risk of opening in our world of big box store.  And remember that every good neighborhood pharmacy, restaurant, coffee shop, and boutique needs one thing…good neighbors who are loyal to them.

The Peak City Pharmacy Website

The Peak City Pharmacy on Facebook

Also Note:

More than two years ago, there was concern that the old Seagroves Farmhouse and adjacent barns at 1617 Center Street in Apex would all be lost to the developers bulldozer. Many people took action to save the structure including Gary Roth of Capital Area Preservation, HeatherO, a local realtor and Apex’s representative to CAP, and Bill Cotton of Cotton Custom Homes, a local builder, and Apex Town Planners, among many others.

The structure itself had several problems. First, it sat so close to the newly widened road that you could literally feel the breeze on the front porch as cars sped by. Secondly, the former home had been allowed to sit empty for a number of years and together with the help of a few vandals, was in dire need of some major structural work. Many thought it just another old farmhouse but to Roth, HeatherO and Cotton it was not an eyesore, but a piece of history worth saving.

Capital Area Preservation secured the property from the developer and immediately turned to Cotton and the rebuilding process started. After months of planning, the home was lifted from the original foundation and moved a little less than fifty feet where it was placed on its new foundation.  Saving as much of original material was of great importance to both CAP and Cotton so much of what you see while driving by today, while looking clean and new, is original to the home. In fact, if you look around back, some of the original tin roof is still in place!

When it came time to put a new look on the old and worn floors, the man hired to finish the floors called Cotton after the first sanding, telling him he would not be able to stain the floors as Cotton had instructed. When asked why, the man simply stated that the wood was too beautiful to cover with stain.  As soon as he saw the, he understood! Today, you’ll find the original pine flooring throughout most of the house, sealed only with a clear protective coating.

The grounds surrounding the home still have several of the original barns on site, and, along with the new landscaping and the view of the pond out back, will take you back fifty years to a time when living here in Apex was just a bit simpler.

Today, the structure is ready for occupancy as an office. Unfortunately, you can’t move in with your family to live there. As part of the zoning and agreements with the town, only office use will be allowed. But this will be an office a lucky someone will be able to brag about for years to come.

If you’re interested in putting down roots in this great, historic piece of Apex, contact Bill Cotton through his website: CottonCustomHomes.com

As a local business owner, I always “go out of my way” to patronize local businesses and restaurants. Rudy’s is a new addition to my list!

Located in the Harris Teeter shopping center on Hwy 55, Rudy’s is a sports bar’ish kinda place. With a spacious bar, lined with flat screen TV’s and casual atmosphere, Rudy’s offers what many restaurants that have come and gone failed to do: provide good food, friendly service and an affordable price.

Sounds simple, I know, yet it never ceases to amaze me how many restaurant and businesses fail at these basic, simple principles!

The fare includes wings, burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads. They are open for lunch and dinner, and will soon offer breakfast too!

Lots of specials to events to keep you coming back too! Dollar draft nights, poker nights, .25 wing day, etc. to name a few.

So, stop by and check them out! Tell Jackie at the bar that we sent you! She is the perfect combination of friendly and attentive and helpful without going overboard!

Apex entrepreneurs Heather O’Sullivan Canney, husband Chris and their 9 and 11 year old “kidpreneurs” will host the first annual Young Entrepreneurs Success Seminar Sept. 25-27 at the Caribe Royale Resort and Conference Center in Orlando, Fla. The purpose of this event is to inspire, empower and educate young entrepreneurs age 9 and up—as well as their parents—to embrace their natural creativity, identify and leverage their resources, and grow their business ventures.

“Most importantly, this event will connect young entrepreneurs and their parents with other like-minded people,” O’Sullivan Canney says. “These connections will continue to grow within the community that will be created.”

Speakers at the event include Bob Burg, best-selling author of “The Go-Giver” and “Endless Referrals”; artist Laura Kelly; teen entrepreneurs, and other experts who will provide information about publishing, art licensing, business systems, marketing, social media and more.

“In this current economic climate, there is so much uncertainty for many. Yet many young people are creating thriving businesses. Why? Because they have the creativity and leverage to do more than has ever been possible,” O’Sullivan Canney says. “All they need is a little know-how and support from you! Whether our young people seem to be entrepreneurial or not, whether they want to go into the workforce or not, empowering them with the ability to use their passions and talents to create their own future, their own money, and make their own difference in the world is priceless. For less than the price of an XBox, you can change the course of their lives forever!”

Breakout sessions and workshops will include activities designed to inspire creativity and innovation, and teach team building skills, marketing techniques, public speaking, networking and more. There will also be panel discussions and the opportunity for attendees to talk to speakers and experts one-on-one.

“Entertainment, fun and time to connect and interact with one another will be a vital part as well,” O’Sullivan Canney says. “The message will go beyond ‘making money.’ We believe that the key to success lies in creating a business based on and fueled by young entrepreneurs’ passion, and driven by their purpose to provide value and make a difference.”

Tickets cost $199 for parents and their teen, or $299 for two parents and their teens. Visit http://www.yesseminar.com to register for an early bird special of $177. “Register to bring your kids, grandkids and their friends today. The YES seminar will inspire, connect, educate and empower everyone who attends!” O’Sullivan Canney says.

Businesses have the option of considering several sponsoring opportunities related to this event. They can sponsor a teen or an entire family; donate a fixed amount to be applied toward a teen’s attendance costs; sponsor a portion of the event, such as a cookout, ice cream social, inspirational breakfast or specific workshops; sponsor a teen speaker by donating funds toward his or her travel costs; or, sponsor the event with their products in the form of gift cards, mp3 players, computers or other supplies. T-shirt designers or promotional products providers that would like to donate customized products for attendees are welcome to contact O’Sullivan Canney via http://www.yesseminar.com.

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For those of you who don’t know me, I am very passionate about supporting small businesses. And in this “economy”, I believe it’s more important than ever!

I recently visited a local networking meeting and was struck by several women commenting that “as soon as they could afford it” they would buy from each other. Hmm…I pondered that and thought about how programmed we all are now to say that “a” word. The truth is, for many their income hasn’t even changed! For others, it has, but there is still money there, it’s just what we CHOOSE to do with it!

I recall from “The Richest Man in Babylon” this quote: “A clenched fist is not open to receive”…

Yes, we have to be wise with our money, yes we have to make “smart choices”, etc.

However!!! We can CHOOSE wisely! What that means is up to you!

(<a href=”http://apexgoodliving.com/?p=211″>more about the importance of buying local</a>)

Choosing to purchase a smaller gift in a local boutique which will be special to the recipient AND help your neighbor feed their family, makes a difference!

This weekend is a great opportunity to stimulate our local economy!

Get your friends together and come to downtown Apex this Saturday, April 18th! Visit the Farmer’s Market, and the coffee shop in the morning, shop for Mother’s day gifts at our vendor fair at Soco Studio*(10-4pm), have lunch at one of the many great restaurants, shop some more at our great boutiques and consignment stores**, come back by Soco for Bev Mahone’s book signing, and then go to the Halle Arts Center and see the local production of The Vagina Monologues”*!

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Just think, you can eat, shop, pick up your Mother’s day gifts (maybe a few for you too:), spend quality time with people you don’t get to hang out with often, support several charities that support women*, AND provide a community service by contributing to our local economy! Win-win-win!</b>

<i>*”shopMOM” and these shops:

The Rusty Bucket, My Girlfriends Closet, Nativa, the ice cream shop, The Bookery, Bistro64 (Cary), are raising money for “mom it forward” on this day (as are other women all across the US and the world!), and the Vagina Monologues Production is a fund raiser to build a safe room at the new police station for victims of domestic and sexual violence.</i>