History in the Remaking - Quality Grocery Reopens in Downtown Raleigh

Try, Try Again: Since the 2008 closing of Capital City Grocery in Seaboard Station, downtown Raleigh has been without a local, full-service grocery store. That has now changed with the "reopening" of Quality Grocery and the soon-to-be opened Market Grocery. The Quality Grocery, 701 Lane Street in Raleigh's Historic Oakwood neighborhood, is the oldest running grocery store in Wake County. Since 1909 this grocery has opened and reopened several times.  Sold to new owners (Jay Wellons and Jason Howard - Rockford Restaurant, Brooklyn Heights Bar) in 2011, the "new" grocery will offer the neighborhood a convenient place to shop as well as grab a bite to eat.  It clearly captures the old-time spirit with quality produce and lunch and evening fare.

Blind Faith: The story goes that Quality Grocery was originally run by two blind owners.     Unfortunately, robberies were common and Wake County took joint ownership of the store. It was eventually sold to the Poole family who ran it for two generations. During the renovation, the peeling back of layers of siding revealed painted ads dating back from the mid-twentieth century. The new facade has kept the historical look and feel.

Local Produce and Artisanal Foods: In a back corner of the shop, a blackboard menu highlights the daily specials and familiar favorites. The homemade chicken salad and a boneless baby back rib sandwich are top draws among the lunch crowd. At night, the lunch menu is supplemented by a single entree special that changes with the day of the week. Patrons can eat at small tables by the window or outside on the patio.  Sounds like quite a gathering!  Open 7 days a Week - Hours: 7am - 10pm: Website 

Target Market - Market Grocery Opening in Oakwood / Mordecai Neighborhood

Small Town Grocer: The Market Grocery will be opening soon in the revitalized building on Franklin Street between Person and Blount Street. It will be alongside the recently opened Yellow Dog Bakery. Chef-owner Chad McIntyre has studied the demise of Capital City Grocery and believes he has a better business model - to be smaller and more customer-focused (think food bodega). The plan is to have a butcher, local produce, local cheeses, homemade pastas and sauces, and a knowledgeable staff. It also will sell prepared foods. This "target market" concept is intriguing and we will report more after its opening.

To Bee or Not to Bee

Ghoulishly Good Inspirations - A Cauldron Full of Costumes and Recipes

With Halloween coming quickly in just four days, your last-minute creativity has shifted into high gear. Having fun can be stressful. Skip the days of preparation and throw together a costume that won't look like you didn't try. Trust us. We've been doing this for years!

Holey Sheet! Last year, a slew of Freudian slips crashed your Halloween party. What happened to the simple costumes of All Hallow's past? Well, we ain't afraid of no ghost. And neither are these shared and freakishly creative guides to kicking it into old school this Halloween.

Instructions

1. Buy a queen-size flat sheet.

2. Find a trusty friend to help.

3. Turn sheet inside out.

4. Center sheet on your head (make sure length in front and back is equal).

5. Dust off souvenir shot glass   you never thought you'd use. Trace glass for both eyes and mouth.

6. Take off sheet and cut out holes. Turn right side out.

Now put your own spin on it. Here are a few inspiring ideas.... 

The Preppy Ghost - Have your monogram stitched on a crisp, classic white  sheet.  

The Hipster Ghost- Hipsters are too cool to dress up. A white V-neck should do the trick. (Don't forget the attitude.)

The Modern Ghost- Look boo-tiful and bold with geometric shapes and color blocks by Jonathan Adler.

The Tombstone(r) Ghost (a.k.a. Deadhead Ghost) - Channel your hippie spirit with tie-dye sheets. 

The VIP of the RIP Ghost - The gaudiest ghost at the gala with a thread count so high it's scary!   

The Humani-terrifying Ghost (a.k.a Pretty in Pink Ghost) - Support Breast Cancer Awareness month and think pink with your sheet.

Tulling Around - Don't be fooled.  You know that every little girl longs to be a fairy princess. Here are a few renditions that can turn ordinary into extraordinaire. Let the magic begin!  

Treat them Special - Grandma Betty's Caramel Apples Recipe

A family favorite for over 50 years. Once you try this, you will never go back to  unwrapping and melting all those commercial caramels to dunk apples in! Braeburn or Granny Smith apples are a favorite for this recipe...not too sweet and not too tart.

Preparation Instructions: Assemble all ingredients: wash and dry apples, insert sticks, and butter a cookie sheet and dinner plate before starting to cook.

Heat all ingredients except vanilla in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over medium/low heat. Stir constantly! When caramel reaches soft ball stage (235�F-240�F) remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool a few minutes.

Using the stick inserted in the apples, dunk apples in the hot caramel and twirl slowly away from the heat for a couple of minutes. It's nice to have a helper or two at this point.

Place caramel-covered apples on a buttered cookie sheet. Optional: drizzle with melted chocolate or roll in chopped nuts.

2. Can be thinned in the pan with half-and-half and eaten warm, as a dip for apple wedges.

Ingredients:

• 12 whole Apples
• � cups Butter
• 1 cup White Syrup
• 14 ounces, fluid Eagle Brand Condensed Milk
• 2 cups White Granulated Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Happy Halloween, Boo!

The Knitty Gritty at Certain Things - Fall Sweaters galore! Come see the variety of sweaters in all weights, colors and sizes. But hurry before they're gone!

Certain Things of Cameron Village - 404 Daniels St. Raleigh, NC 27605, (919) 828-5055Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 1-5pm.

Except on Halloween (Thurs.) Oct. 31 - Closing at 5:00pm. Grandparents/owners Lu and Doug have precious grand-babies to see!

Happy Halloween! Website.

Nina McLemore Holiday/ Resort trunk show at Cameron Clothing in North Hills - Wed., Oct. 30 thru Sat., Nov. 2. Hours: 10am to 6pm.

The Nina McLemore line is designed for smart, confident women on the go. The style is elegant, contemporary, timeless, simple, fitted or loose and jacket driven. Appropriate for business or leisure. Fabrics are luxurious, beautiful and distinctive European natural fibers or fine Asian silks. The colors are flattering but also bold and fun. Come check out this Trunk Show and see what Nina McLemore is all about.

Cameron Clothing Co. - 4351-111 The Circle at North Hills, Raleigh, 27609, (919) 420-0411.

Hours: Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Website. 

  Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales,Ltd. -  Now accepting Fine Jewelry for The Winter Catalogue Auction, which will be held on December 5, 6 & 7, 2013.

For local convenience, global reach & international results, contact Leland Little's Fine Jewelry Director, Nancy Blount, for additional information or to schedule an appointment to discuss consignment.

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.: 620 Cornerstone Court, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Phone: (919) 644-1243, Website.

House for Sale: $625,000   

Core Results - Personal Training is teaching people from all over the Raleigh, Cary and Triangle area how to meet their fitness goals. From kettlebells to TRX, everything is top of the line and brand new at the private Core Results studio. Call and make your first appointment for a Complimentary Session!

Core Results: 1330 St. Mary's Street, Suite A00, Raleigh, 27605, Phone: (919) 946-1737, Email:info@coreresults.net, Website.   

NOFO at the Pig - Here's what's happening this October at NOFO... 

Kenna Custom Painting is available to tackle your residential painting needs.  With their great crews that perform very professional jobs on residential homes, you won't believe how quiet and unobtrusive they are.  So if you have that "itch" to freshen up your home, interior or exterior before springtime, contact them now.  Call 919-855-0082 or Email: kennapaint@bellsouth.net.  Website.

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