Doug Pearce, owner of Brooks Street Bowl as well as president and CEO of Food Group, was recognized in March as a Main Street Champion during the 2020 NC Main Street Awards Conference in New Bern. Downtown Director Lisa Hayes said Pearce is an especially deserving Main Street Champion. “Doug is a leading force and visionary in the economic vitality of Downtown Wake Forest. Several years ago he purchased a small downtown restaurant [Over the Falls]. By leveraging his extensive knowledge of the food and beverage industry and enlisting the help of his son, the restaurant quickly outgrew the space. For their new restaurant they chose a location in an underutilized shopping center along South Brooks Street in downtown. That restaurant is now an incredibly popular destination spot for Wake Forest residents and residents in surrounding communities.” Pearce continued the revitalization of the shopping center by purchasing additional storefronts and

The NC Department of Transportation wants to hear from you about North Carolina’s trails and how to make them better. The NCDOT is encouraging residents and leaders to participate in a brief survey on our state’s multi-modal transportation. The input will be used to identify a network of shared-use paths and trails that connects​​​ every county in North Carolina. The public can give feedback in two ways by taking an interactive map survey or a 10-question survey. Participants are encouraged to take both surveys beginning now through September 30. Available at www.ncdot.gov/divisions/bike-ped/great-trails-state/Pages/get-involved.aspx, these surveys are a part of NCDOT’s effort to develop its statewide trail plan and 5-year implementation strategy, called the Great Trails State Plan. The Great Trails State Plan is focusing on shared-use paths that can serve transportation purposes, providing connections between where people live, work and play. For more information, visit www.ncdot.gov/divisions/bike-ped/great-trails-state. #

The Town of Wake Forest remains under a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the Town has implemented several changes to ensure social and physical distance and limit exposure, while maintaining essential services. Provided below is an update on Town operations, services and events. A complete listing of Town cancellations, postponements and closures is provided atwww.wakeforestnc.gov/covid-19-coronavirus/alerts-closures. Closings The Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 South Brooks Street, and all other staffed facilities, including Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources-maintained facilities, remain closed to the public until further notice. Although Wake Forest’s facilities are closed, the work of the Town continues uninterrupted through the COVID-19 response. Wake Forest residents can access the Town’s full array of online resources through the Customer Service Central (CSC) portal located at www.wakeforestnc.gov/customer-service-central. In addition, residents may drop off utility bill payments, rental deposits and paperwork (leases, letters

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to change at an alarming pace, the impact on local food and beverage establishments has been especially profound. On Tuesday, NC Gov. Roy Cooper mandated that all restaurants and bars close to the public in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease. The Town of Wake Forest is committed to helping local establishments during this difficult time. To that end, the Town has created a “Support our Local Restaurants” portal on its website. Located at http://bit.ly/SupportOurRestaurants, the site lists local food and beverage establishments that will continue providing takeout and delivery service. Owners of local food and beverage establishments are invited to have their business listed on the site by completing the online submission form at http://bit.ly/SupportOurRestaurants. The form allows restaurant owners to indicate whether they will provide take out, delivery, curbside delivery and/or online ordering, along with fields to their establishment’s telephone

The Wake Forest Area Chamber continues to be the voice of business in Wake Forest and northern Wake County. Now, more than ever, we need your support. If your annual membership renewal is due now or is approaching, it may be the time to switch to monthly payments. It’s a easy process, requiring one simple enrollment form. Once completed, we’ll convert your membership and you’ll pay nothing until June 15th. During these challenging times, there is strength in community. Stay with us! Fill out the form and submit it to Nancy@wakeforestchamber.org, or call her at 919-556-1519 for assistance. * * * * Darren Smith at Wake Forest Awards & Engraving has begun making face shields and donating them to those who need them, like local emergency management and healthcare organizations. He’s also made some for restaurants like Milton’s Pizza. Contact Darren for details. * * * * The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce is replacing