Cary Spotlight | Issue #465

Cary Pulls Epic Games’ Rezoning Request, Bharath Cafe’s Biryani Takes Center Stage, Thieves Target Small Business in Cary, Stealing Nearly $20,000

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook: Thursday Tongue Twisters

😀 Meme of the Day

❤️ You’re So Sweet: Thank You, Marcie!

🧭 A Taste of India in Cary: Bharath Cafe’s Biryani Takes Center Stage

📰 Cary Pulls Epic Games’ Rezoning Request as Future of Mall Site Remains Unclear

📰 Thieves Target Small Business in Cary, Stealing Nearly $20,000

📰 A Bold Step for Children’s Health: UNC and Duke to Build State’s First Dedicated Pediatric Hospital

☀️ Cary NC Weather

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

📅 Lots Of Events This Week (The Week at a Glance)

Question: What is today’s “Thursday Tongue Twisters”?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Discover Bee Banhmi, a local business sponsor of Cary Spotlight. They do catering, online ordering, home delivery and in-store. Great food made with quality ingredients.

“Dined with you today and had forgotten how fresh your ingredients are and how tasty the food is! Thanks for making me feel like I am visiting Family when I come in to eat. Friendly staff welcomes you in and eagerly share their knowledge about the choices to ensure you get exactly what you want/need! Love Bee BanhMi!” ~Lorraine Cross

📚 TWO FREE AUDIOBOOKS! 📚
To get two free audiobooks from Audible, just follow this link: Learn more

Partner with us to reach our local audience in Cary, NC.
Advertising Opportunities

Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.

What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

Who else do you know in Cary who might also want enjoy reading the Cary Spotlight?

"Search your memory files and playlists, you know it to be true!"

Meme-o-meter

Click to cast your vote (see live results)

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

You’re So Sweet: Thank You, Marcie!

Spread The Word

If you want to help Cary Spotlight even more, share Cary Spotlight with your friends and neighbors.

How $11 Can Bring Joy to Someone’s Day in Cary, Apex or Morrisville
Small acts make a big difference. For just $11, MOM Wishing Widows Well hand-delivers bouquets to brighten the day of widows, seniors, and those facing loneliness for Valentine’s Day.

A Taste of India in Cary: Bharath Cafe’s Biryani Takes Center Stage

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Chris Coetzer interviews Chari Kambara, the founder of Bharath Cafe, a restaurant dedicated to bringing authentic Indian flavors to the Cary and RTP area.

Chari discusses the mission behind the cafe, the significance of its name, and highlights their specialty in biryani. The conversation also covers the dining experience, catering options, and special offers for listeners.

Keywords: Bharath Cafe, Indian cuisine, Biryani, authentic food, catering, Cary restaurant, dining experience, special offers, food lovers

Takeaways:

  • Bharath Cafe aims to provide authentic Indian flavors.

  • Biryani is the restaurant's specialty, particularly chicken and goat biryani.

  • The name 'Bharat' reflects India's original name before British colonization.

  • The cafe offers options for both spicy and mild food lovers.

  • Signature dishes include ghee roast mutton biryani and paneer biryani.

  • Bharath Cafe has a dining area and online takeout options.

  • Catering services are available for events of various sizes.

  • The cafe is located in the Amberley community of Cary, NC.

  • A new branch has opened in Chapel Hill.

  • Listeners can receive a 15% discount using the code 'Spotlight'.

Chapters:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Bharat Cafe and Its Mission

  • 02:08 Exploring the Authenticity of Biryani

  • 04:49 Dining Experience and Catering Options

  • 07:01 Location and Special Offers

What to do next:

Craving the rich, authentic flavors of India? Whether you're a biryani lover or eager to explore new tastes, Bharath Cafe is ready to take your dining experience to the next level. Stop by their Cary or Chapel Hill location to enjoy handcrafted dishes made with tradition and passion. Prefer to dine at home or planning an event?

Their takeout and catering services have you covered. Start your journey into the heart of Indian cuisine today—and don’t forget to use code "Spotlight" for 15% off your order!

Begin your flavorful journey today by visiting Bharath Cafe.
Checkout the menu on their website

Location: 716 Slash Pine Dr, Cary, NC 27519 | Ph: (919) 377-2299

We’d love to hear from you! Let us know how aware you are of Bharath Cafe, a local gem offering authentic Indian cuisine in Cary:

How Familiar Are You with Bharath Cafe?

Click to cast your vote

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Cary Pulls Epic Games’ Rezoning Request as Future of Mall Site Remains Unclear

Epic Games’ vision of transforming the former Cary Towne Center into a cutting-edge corporate campus has hit a standstill. The video game developer, based just minutes away, announced its plans for the 87-acre property nearly four years ago. However, after an initial rezoning request, no further steps were taken, prompting the Town of Cary to withdraw the application due to inactivity.

While Epic Games still owns the land, the company has offered no updates on its intentions, leaving the property in limbo. The once-bustling mall was demolished in 2022, but the vacant space has yet to be redeveloped. Local residents remain divided—some eager for progress, others wary of potential disruption to their neighborhoods.

Town officials note that any future rezoning efforts would take about a year to process, meaning the fate of the site remains uncertain for the foreseeable future.
Read Full Report

Thieves Target Small Business in Cary, Stealing Nearly $20,000

A small Cary convenience store became the target of a well-executed theft on Sunday evening when two individuals orchestrated a distraction to steal nearly $20,000 in cash. Surveillance footage shows one suspect engaging the store clerk while the other slipped behind the shelves and located a cash box near the register. Within moments, they secured the money and left unnoticed.

The theft is particularly devastating for the store’s owner, as a large portion of the stolen cash belonged to a wire transfer service, leaving the business responsible for covering the loss. The financial hit is significant for the small operation, which works long hours to serve the local community.

Cary Police are investigating the crime, which they describe as a crime of opportunity, though no arrests have been made. Authorities are urging anyone with information to step forward in hopes of identifying the suspects and recovering the stolen funds.
Read Full Report 

A Bold Step for Children’s Health: UNC and Duke to Build State’s First Dedicated Pediatric Hospital

UNC Health and Duke Health, two of North Carolina’s leading academic health institutions, are joining forces to establish NC Children’s, a new pediatric health system that will feature the state’s first freestanding children’s hospital. The initiative, years in the making, seeks to transform access to specialized pediatric care while advancing research and medical education.

With plans for a 500-bed hospital, a behavioral health center, and an outpatient care facility, the project is expected to provide a comprehensive range of medical services tailored exclusively to children. An initial $320 million state investment helped set the stage for the collaboration, which aims to ensure that North Carolina families have access to top-tier pediatric care without having to seek treatment out of state.

In addition to its clinical mission, NC Children’s will function as a hub for pediatric medical research, benefiting from close academic ties with UNC and Duke’s medical schools. The campus will include rehabilitation spaces, play areas, and family-centered amenities, creating a supportive environment for both patients and their loved ones.

Groundbreaking is planned for 2027, with the hospital expected to open in the early 2030s. Other key facilities, such as the behavioral health center and outpatient surgical units, may become operational before the main hospital is completed.

By bringing together two of the state’s most respected medical institutions, the project promises to elevate pediatric health care and research in North Carolina for decades to come. Read Full Report

What is your opinion on the new NC Children’s hospital being built by UNC and Duke?

Click to cast your vote and see live results

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Upcoming Local Events

Looking ahead to events happening in Cary, NC for the rest of the week.
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information.

January 30th (Thursday)

January 31st (Friday)

February 1st (Saturday)

February 2nd (Sunday)

February 3rd (Monday)

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Question 👇👇👇