There still are rumors that two start-up breweries are considering sites in downtown Wake Forest and that a shop selling hard liquor only will open soon. The Wake Forest College officials who were so adamantly opposed to alcohol that it was banned not only in town but within a mile of the town limits must be rolling in their graves.
The ban on alcohol was only lifted in 1972 when the town’s 1909 charter was being revised to reflect the new form of government, council-administrator. The section banning alcohol sales was not included. Although other stores soon joined in the sales, the first beneficiary was the then mayor John Lyon, who had recently opened Lyon’s grocery store on North White Street. The store is now offices.
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It may be winter but the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce is thinking spring in general and Meet in the Street in particular. President Ann Welton has opened the vendor application process for the arts and crafts festival planned for Saturday, May 5. There are four categories for vendors: handmade arts/crafts, non-profit, food vendor and downtown Wake Forest merchant. They are asked to go to the chamber’s website – www.wakeforestchamber.org – and see how to apply.
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Kate the new bar is Tonic, owned by Bill and Kathy Opal. Construction starts in March. Bill and Kathy have been pursuing for many months now to get a place that will work for their ideas. Both of them have very good ideas and hope when it opens you and your friends will support them.
Thanks for the update! We will be there!
The Downtown development map on the planning website shows that the new bar will be located in 158 S. White St (former bookstore location), so it looks like more than a rumor!
I would love to know more about the two breweries, though. I’m happy that there are more places for young people to meet up in downtown.