DQM
issue 2 | winter 2020
bright holiday decor, brisk sidewalk runs, cozy coffee shops & cafes, fun museum playdates, parties with friends & family, warm restaurants... downtown, this is winter! DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 3
downtown quarterly style 10 books our favorite funny books for winter and Liberation Station Bookstore’s journey to now
14 art
Deana Nguyen on branching out
18 design
fitness + wellness 46 NCTRC on therapy and magic people 54 Jessie Williams and Derek Keller on living on the edge, business and family
Bright Black on starting conversations by design
22 fashion
our favorite ways to dress up sweaters
24 home
32
lessons on cozy from a downtown Durham loft
eat + entertain 32 SUPERFREE on style and wellness 38 Papa Shogun on fusion adventure + go 42 great, easy winter trips recommended by Sometimes Home’s Mikkel and Dan
in every issue 6 welcome letter 7 contributors 4 winter 2020
photograph by Lauren Vied Allen
magazine 22
photograph by Emily Lyons-Wood
features 60 Jenn Rice and Charlotte Smith chat about warmth and living well
66 party-ready nails by Nail Yeah! 70 inspiring arrangements by Feature Flora family 78 our current favorite places to shop + play
Keep your eyes peeled for illustrations throughout this Issue by Hannah Ferrell
photograph by Lauren Vied Allen
16
society6.com/hferal @ hantastic.creations DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 5
First, thank you. Thank you for reading these words. Thank you to all of the generous people who contributed to these pages. You are the best part of this issue. Here, we wanted to create a cozy spot to get lost in. Somewhere warm and inspiring to spend long winter nights, or just a fun place to go during a lunch break. As always we hope that our pages spark conversations. Continue to turn to us for that. Continue to turn to us for a visual feast, or at least a small delight for the eyes, here and there. There are so many stories in this issue that have inspired us. In The Odyssey, we hope you will be inspired by one family’s big decision (revolving around a ziplock bag, no less), and how it leads to Liberation Station Bookstore. Who knows how many lives will be changed for the better because of that decision. How can anyone not be inspired by that? When reading Free Form we hope you’re as moved by Madeline Lee’s tasty creations as we are. Her unapologetic collision of style and wellness is so refreshing. The boldness of her branding matches the boldness of her flavors. And we can’t stop eating her truffles! In (Not Too) Far and Away, travel columnists Mikkel and Dan Woodruff tell us where to go this winter. We love that the destinations are nearby. Easy and practical. And is there anything more 6 winter 2020
rewarding than exploring someplace new? Especially when the place is right under your nose? In A World Away learn about the important work that the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center does. We were surprised by how much of a difference a few miles out of town can make. Visiting the horses at NCTRC was a highlight in the making of this issue. As was receiving the photos taken there by Blissmore Photography. In When a Place Becomes a Feeling become immersed in Charlotte Smith’s world. It’s fun and interesting to see her worlds collide in the story, which was photographed at her shop, Union Camp Collective. It was just one of many cases of overlapping stories in the issue. Our attempts to create a cozy issue felt, at times, like weaving. In a good way. Connections. Depth. Layers. Warmth. There are so many stories in this issue that touched us and we hope you will find something inside these pages to connect with too. We thank you, again, for connecting with us here, where we believe that downtown isn’t an address, it’s a state of mind. Welcome back to Downtown Quarterly Magazine.
photographs by Blissmore Photography
Contributors Eve Hobgood petitesimone.com Lauren Vied Allen laurenvallen.com Carole Montgomery Emily Lyons-Wood thelyonswood.com Blissmore Photography blissmorephotography.com Hannah Ferrell society6.com/hferal
DQM Molly Dansby Publisher Jade Laurent Jackson Creative Director downtownquarterly.com @downtownquarterly
Ashley Coffey Mark Maya markmaya.com Rachel Holt rachelholtdesign.com Melissa de Leon melissadeleonstyling.com Anna Routh Barzin anagramphoto.com Carolina Stamey tabletopmediagroup.com Mikkel and Dan Woodruff sometimeshome.com Latisha Catchatoorian latishacatch.com Jenn Rice jennricewrites.com
Special Thanks Charlotte Smith Joseph Jeffers Liberation Station Bookstore Victoria Scott-Miller Deana Nguyen Feature Flora Bright Black Candles Tiffany Griffin Carolina Soul Records Robert MacNeill Brittany Roux Roux MacNeill Studio
Madeline Lee Papa Shogun Tabletop Media Group Kristen Baughman Quinn Bostic NCTRC Lara Katz Tess Sevelow-Lee Shannon James Jessie Williams Derek Keller Nail Yeah!
DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 7
belly laughs books for
written by Ashley Coffey
Cold outside? Nothing warms the soul like a belly laugh. These very funny books by very funny women are sure to warm you up with laughter from the inside out. So, top off your fanciest mug with your favorite hot chocky (schnapps optional), curl up in your fuzziest throw next to a crackling fire, and get ready to giggle with some of our favorite funny gals.
Little Weirds by Jenny Slate (2019) Let’s start with the cover of this book. Evocative of floral-laden classics of our collective youths (think Little House on the Prairie, Little Women, A Little Princess...wait, could this have been on purpose!??). The cover features a green wreath full of quirky girl essentials, like hotdogs, dinosaurs, and seashells. Lest Slate’s book venture too far into the realm of “magic pixie dreamgirl” territory her content is substantive, pulling pure magic from a hat through authentic storytelling and beautiful, fantastical imagery. This one is sure to satisfy in a way you’ve never experienced before as Slate’s surrealist take on everything from dating to childhood antics shines in her not-quite autobiography, not-quite essay-collection.
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher (2008) Dripping with sarcasm, Fisher’s easily-digestible adaptation of her one-woman act lays her whole, imperfectly enchanted life out on the line for the world to see. And her life, though tragically short, was everything except uninteresting. The daughter of celebrities Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, not to mention her teenage heartthrob status as Princess Leia, Fisher learned to cope with her life, and accompanying mental illness in the public eye by sharing her cunning wit and self-deprecating humor. Charming, witty, and droll to the end, an afternoon with this is sure to fly by. 10 winter 2020
Trust No Aunty by Maria Qamar (2017) Maria Qamar’s lively take on intrusive aunties is a laugh right off the bat. Rather than resorting to survival guide tropes and observations about life as a “stranger in a strange land,” Qamar peppers her advice and scrutiny with true stories from her own meddling aunties, and the result is absolutely charming. Wryly tackling very serious issues in South Asian culture seldom explored by Bollywood, Qamar’s venture out of Instagram and onto the physical page is both satisfying and hilarious.
The Grammarians by Cathleen Schine (2019) In this delightful love tale to twins and the English language, identical twin sisters Daphne and Laurel explore family, femininity, and fun through wordplay. One a rigid prescriptivist, the other a poetic descriptivist, most of the novel tackles the ways in which siblings tend to grow apart when faced with adversity. Eventually, they find their way back to the heart of what matters, and each other, through their shared love of language. If you’re looking for a way to grow your vocabulary while having a rollicking good time, this is the book for you.
Bossypants by Tina Fey (2011) An autobiography from the funny female writer who has somehow been everywhere for the last two decades, Fey’s autobiography inhabits all things female and feminist in showbiz and life. Much like her characters on SNL and 30 Rock, she manages to toe the line between hilarious and heartwarming while never losing sight of her own unique vision and voice. Amusing anecdotes about life as a star, juxtaposed with stories about her life at home, prove that no matter how long she’s been at it, Fey still finds a way to make us laugh out loud.
and more I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual by Luvvie Ajayi -recommended by Carole Montgomery, Editor at Large
Anything written by Carrie Fisher or Mindy Kaling Maeve in America by Maeve Higgins The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish -recommended by Molly Dansby, Publisher
The Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae -recommended by Jade Laurent Jackson, Creative Director
DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 11
The Odyssey Liberation Station Bookstore owners on change, hope and legacy illustration by Rachel Holt written by Molly Dansby Victoria Scott-Miller and her husband Duane Miller, along with their children Emerson and Langston, officially established Liberation Station Bookstore in 2019, but its roots and mission were with them all along. Victoria describes Liberation Station Bookstore (LSB) as “a mobile children’s pop-up bookstore offering over 500 titles that are center-focused to represent African-American children.” “We protect the narratives that aren’t being shared and highlight the stories that provide a full-length mirror to children of the African Diaspora,” Victoria says. The seed for LSB was planted generations (or at least a generation) before when Victoria’s parents, an environmentalist and photographer, moved to Philadelphia for a fresh start. Victoria says her father’s addiction battle sparked the move. In Philadelphia, the family lived in a building where the maintenance man would stash away items and documents left by former tenants who were evicted or passed away. Victoria’s father would rummage through the basement looking for items to pawn, and it was there that he stumbled on an old bible one day. He showed the bible to Victoria’s mother who noticed some old documents inside.
would ask her mom about the documents. She says her mom said she stashed them away and kept them because they looked important. When Victoria’s father passed away in 2017, her mother found the documents while sorting through and letting go of some of her late husband’s things. She gave the documents from the ziplock bag to Victoria. Ever the history buff, Victoria researched the documents and to her amazement, realized her mother had been keeping letters written by historical figures in the bag for years. The figures included Nathaniel Knight, Henry Wheatland, the Vice Chancellor of Oxford, Emanuel Swedenborg, Augustus Clissold, Archbishop of Dublin, and Fredrick Bailey (Douglass). “While researching on this journey I discovered that my mother was the unintentional guardian of history and that the torch had been passed down,” Victoria says.
She compiled her research, shared it, and was contacted by a private collector interested in acquiring the documents. Victoria and Duane were offered nearly two million dollars for the documents. At the time Duane was recently discharged from the military. Career transitions, parenthood, and life in general meant the couple was struggling to make ends meet. They were borrowing Victoria says her mom put the documents in a ziplock bag money from family and friends and were on food stamps at the time. and stashed it inside an old briefcase. Growing up, Victoria says, she The offer, then, was tempting. 12 winter 2020
It was Duane who first said no to the offer after briefly considering it. He saw it, Victoria said, as merely a quick-fix that couldn’t compare to keeping the documents in their family. Their stewardship of the important documents was bigger than a check, he knew. Firm in their decision Victoria and Duane contemplated the bigger picture, and more complex questions emerged. “What does it mean to practice ‘no’ as a black family in a time of lack?” Victoria says they asked themselves.
DQM: What makes a location a good/ideal host site for LSB? 1. Must have public access. 2. Must have an established relationship with the community that involves both service and inclusion. 3. All installations are permanent.
DQM: What will 2020 hold for LSB?
It was a profound moment of self-examination for the famIn 2020 we are preparing for our Freedom Ride. On the Liberation ily, and it was also the catalyst for their work and LSB. Station Freedom Ride we will take the Amtrak to Greensboro for an unforgettable storytime experience. Beginning Saturday, March “With $275.00 left in our account, we took the $250.00 7, and every first Saturday through December we will commemand our faith just to purchase our first round of books,” Victoria says. orate the 60th anniversary of the Greensboro Sit-Ins by bringing “We searched for books that glorified the voices of black children, families aboard the Amtrak starting from the Raleigh Union Stathat told stories of heroism, stories that highlighted the spectrum of tion. We will read stories on the Greensboro sit-ins, the Civil Rights their worth. We started Liberation Station because it represented Movement, and activism. Once in Greensboro we will visit the Inour sons, it represented our love for poetry and literature, and those ternational Civil Rights Center and Museum where we will weave ziplock bags filled with my mother’s unintentional guardianship.” families between both guided tours and Liberation Station-facilitated workshops. In March 2019 LSB began with its first pop-up at Jeddah’s Tea, at Durham’s American Tobacco Campus.
DQM: Where would you most like I asked Victoria to share more about Liberation Station to see LSB in the future? Where are Bookstore. your dream locations for it? DQM: Who did you create LSB for? Ideally, we want the hopes and dreams of children we encounter Who might benefit from your work? today to be inspired by the narratives we provide to dream without limits. Our dream locations are housed inside of the children we impact.
It was created for African-American children. We wanted to create a space for the underrepresented narrative. Everyone benefits from a good book. It’s a way to break down stereotypes before a child ac- DQM: How can community memcepts it as a part of their ideology. bers who are like-minded collabo-
DQM: Why children’s books? We chose children’s books because this is where self-worth begins. It’s a time when our dreams and imaginations are most uninhibited.
DQM: Where are your current host sites and are there any in the works that we can start getting excited about?
rate with LSB or support it?
Victoria: We welcome sponsorships and donations to support our work, and people to join us at any of our pop-up events. Purchase books online, and we are always open to community collaborations! We are proud that this work is taking flight in an authentic way. We are space-makers, space-holders, and creators. Our work has allowed us to remain both kind and generous. Our hope and dream for Liberation Station Bookstore is that the roots will remain healthy.
Our current permanent host sites are Nolia Family and Coffee and Sarah P. Duke Gardens. We have some special partners that are coming in 2020. We cannot wait to share! DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 13
Before showcasing her work at NCMA, before becoming a creative director at one of the state’s most beloved downtown destinations, before traveling all the way to California to apprentice, Raleigh’s Deana Nguyen knew a life in the arts, in composition, was ahead of her. Her new business, Feature Flora, is a culmination of all of these experiences and a fresh platform on which Deana can create and collaborate. Deana dabbled in ceramics and jewelry making at a young age and describes art classes as where she was most comfortable. “My grandparents and my parents were patient with my headstrong personality growing up and early on they accepted and understood that I wanted to pursue art as a career in some way,” Deana says. Deana describes her mom as having a big green thumb and her dad as being extremely creative. She says she fondly remembers drawing often with him growing up. Her family’s history and creativity impacted Deana deeply, she says. “I have always felt a lot of pressure to make them proud of the life they have given me when they escaped the Vietnam War in 1978 by boat in search of a better life for themselves and their future. That pressure continues to motivate me every day.”
COMPOSURE Brewery Bhavana’s flower shop creative director turns over a new creative leaf. And, of course, we’re here for it.
creative direction by Jade Laurent Jackson photographs by Lauren Vied Allen written by Molly Dansby
14 winter 2020
The consideration of her roots and her motivation is not lost on her family, Deana says. “My grandmother will call me after each event or project that I do to ask if I am taking care of myself through the process and how it was received,” Deana says. “She is my number one fan.” While Deana describes herself as always having been artistic it was an apprenticeship in California in 2015, in preparation for Brewery Bhavana’s opening, that opened her eyes to floral design and all its possibilities. In Sonoma County Deana worked with floral designer Jaclyn Nesbitt. Jaclyn has a background in visual art. “I think it was the second week that I was out there, she was making an arrangement and was explaining to me her perspective on creating it. She framed it as a composition and...that really hit a chord in me,” Deana says. “Seeing how floral design can be approached in a way that was more than just putting flowers in a vase really stuck with me and I was hooked.”
“Seeing how floral design can be approached in a way that was more than just putting flowers in a vase really stuck with me and I was hooked.”
Deana says it took a couple of years to create a solid, distinct Bhavana style. And while she loves it, she says she always knew there were even more styles she wanted to experiment with. And about a year and a half ago, Deana says, she started seriously thinking about Feature Flora. Luckily, the Bhavana team was, and still is, extremely supportive. That support along with the confidence she gained with experience helped her decide to apply for NCMA’s Art in Bloom DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 15
16 winter 2020
around this time last year, Deana says. “Jaclyn and I had talked about collaborating on a piece,” she says, so the two of them, former apprentice and mentor, teamed up. “It had been three years since she had first introduced me to flowers so it was truly a special full-circle moment for me. It was an honor to be able to create and collaborate with her,” Deana says. And Feature Flora was officially born.
with Feature Flora. She wants to do more editorial styling work in 2020, she says, and hopes to continue bringing people together with flowers and plants. “They speak a universal language that transcends words. They have a beautiful way of connecting people and emotions that can be hard to do otherwise,” Deana says.
“Working with something perishable has been the biggest life lesson I have ever received. Through accepting and appreciating the cyclical nature of flowers, I have come to realize the fragility and impermanence of life in general. It has helped me to really savor the little, fleeting moments throughout all aspects of my life.”
Deana says she is looking forward to the endless creative possibilities in Feature Flora, collaborating with other artists, and being creative for the sake of being creative. “I always enjoy a challenge and taking risks for the sake of creating. I’m excited about not having expectations and just seeing what will come,” she says. She also looks forward to falling deeper in love with her work and gleaning as much as possible from it. “Working with something perishable has been the biggest life lesson I have ever received. Through accepting and appreciating the cyclical nature of flowers, I have come to realize the fragility and impermanence of life in general. It has helped me to really savor the little, fleeting moments throughout all aspects of my life,” Deana says. In her spare time, Deana says she likes to visit gardens and nurseries with her partner, thrifting and antiquing. Her ideal winter day downtown, Deana says, includes stops at Tin Roof Teas, Cheshire Cat, and Des Livres et Délices, followed by a movie at the Rialto. Deana continues to make magic at Brewery Bhavana and looks forward to additional fun, new projects in the coming year DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 17
shine on when is a great candle more than just a great candle? when it’s designed to change the world.
photographs by Mark Maya written by Molly Dansby
Bright Black Candles are arguably the buzziest local gift of the season, and what’s not to love? They smell incredible, the black matte packaging couldn’t be chicer, and collectors can purchase them at the trendiest downtown markets around the Triangle. But a deeper dive reveals that Bright Black Candles are designed to do much more than delight the senses. Their purpose is to create positive conversations surrounding Blackness. We chatted with co-owner Tiffany Griffin to learn more.
DQM: Tell us about yourself. Tiffany: I’m Tiffany M. Griffin, Ph. D. I’m a creator, a dreamer, and a cautious optimist. I’m also a social psychologist by training, former Federal employee, former grantmaker, former academic, and former veg-centric food consultant. I’m a mother to a spirited 2-yearold named Elena and a wife to the Bright Black co-founder, Dariel Heron. I’m a New England native and a lover of beautiful sensory experiences.
DQM: Were you always a creator/ entrepreneur? Tiffany: Why, yes! For most of my life, food or culinary pursuits have been my primary creative outlet. But I also love dancing and dabble in painting and poetry. Even when I was a researcher, I was creating. Research is essentially using the raw medium of data to showcase the realities of people’s lives through their lens’. Even as a kid, I was pretty entrepreneurial and creative, frequently coming up with some interesting side hustles. 18 winter 2020
DQM: When did Bright Black Candles begin? Tiffany: Every job I’ve ever chosen to spend my time doing has been done with the intention of helping to improve the human condition and of creating and sharing accurate narratives about people’s lived experiences. That’s what drove me to become a psychologist/ researcher, a policymaker, and now a creative, social entrepreneur. But formally, Bright Black Candles was incorporated as a business earlier this year, during the government shutdown when I had lots of time on my hands to push this dream and vision forward. Dariel and I started making candles back in 2014 and had considered a candle business back then. But the time wasn’t right (for many reasons). Earlier this year, it became clear to both of us that the time was NOW, so we hit the ground running! Another catalyst was becoming a mom. Entrepreneurship in general affords me more flexibility to be the parent I’m striving to be and the mission of Bright Black Candles more specifically aligns with the values I aspire to teach my daughter.
DQM: What are Bright Black Candles? Tiffany: Bright Black is a company designed to shift narratives about Blackness by using scent as an artistic medium, and candles as a platform for telling stories and building connection. More than a just a candle company, we’re hoping to facilitate a movement. and to create positive conceptions of the word Black (and Black people and Black culture). Over 400 years ago, a group of people decided to connect the word Black with people of African descent, and then connect the totality of those people with negativity. Bright Black is fundamentally working to undo those associations that, coupled with current and historical power dynamics, lie at the root of misconceptions and prejudices.
DQM: What was the inspiration behind Bright Black Candles? Tiffany: Our love and respect for Black culture, a desire to have others learn about Black culture, and a fundamental belief in the goodness of people (ALL people). We also wanted to infuse the world with more beautiful sensory experiences, which is never a bad thing, right?!
DQM: Tell us more. Tiffany: We’re using scent to tell stories of Black brilliance (without beating people over the head with judgment). First and foremost, our candles smell amazing. To have a beautiful scent paired with Blackness, builds this positive association, before we even say a word. Scent is an EXTREMELY powerful (and completely underrated!) sense. We’re sending messages to those who engage with our candles right out of the gate, right upon smelling them. Then there’s the dialogue that’s cultivated through our choice of collections, and candles within those collections. Behind each candle are hundreds of stories to share. Behind each combination of complex, layered, beautiful scents are hundreds of connections to make. And we’re seeing this materialize even though we’ve only been officially selling candles since this summer. For example, I’ve had a discussion with a woman from India about the linkages between colorism and caste in India and race in the US. I’ve had a discussion with a guy from Israel who at the beginning of the discussion said disparities were all driven by social class, but by the end of the discussion said he hadn’t known about research on racial disparities (that account for social class) and asked me to come talk to a group of his friends about race.
And I’ve learned a ton, too! A woman from Rochester, NY for example, shared why she thought the city should be added to our Diaspora collection! Finally, we’re communicating messages about Blackness through our packaging and materials. We use a Black vessel, a beautiful, clean, bold but straightforward design, and extremely high-quality materials and ingredients. All of this is by design, to reify the notion of Black brilliance.
DQM: How are you connected to downtown? Tiffany: We stand on the shoulders of so many incredible and inspiring entrepreneurs who came before us, especially here in Durham. Downtown’s Black Wall Street is a beautiful and poignant reminder of this.
DQM: Where do you work from? Tiffany: We converted our finished basement from a guest room/ my office to our Bright Black studio/workshop!
DQM: What are you most excited about? Tiffany: 2020! I started 2019 in a government shutdown, caught up in politics I have nothing to do with, and unsure as to whether I would get back pay. Morale was low, confusion was high. Luckily, I used that time to do a lot of soul searching and channeled that time of incredible uncertainty into a business plan, permits, prototypes, and eventually the Bright Black we officially launched this summer. I feel lucky and grateful and super excited to continue on this journey! I’m looking forward to the continued dialogue and connection this entrepreneurial journey has afforded me so far. Truth be told, I am working no less than before I left my day job. And in fact, I’m probably working more (for those who know me, they probably think that’s impossible!). The difference is though that this is energizing me, not depleting; it’s life affirming. It’s downright fun; and it’s building connection and community. I feel so very grateful.
cozyville.
creative direction by Jade Laurent Jackson photographs by Emily Lyons-Wood styling by Melissa de Leon written by Jade Laurent Jackson 22 winter 2020
It’s tempting to put function over fashion, especially in the winter, but these looks prove there’s no need to compromise. These floral, pattern and cashmere sweatshirts will keep you warm and stylish enough for any party, pop-up or private gathering. Dress the look up with a slinky bottom or statement boots and take these pullovers to the next level. Whether paired with a silk skirt and snakeskin heels or denim and Dr. Martens, these looks will shine (sans-sequins) all party season long!
DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 23
small space
BIG STYLE photographs by Anna Routh Barzin styling by Roux MacNeill Studio written by Molly Dansby
24 winter 2020
It doesn’t get much cozier than the downtown Durham condo designer Robert MacNeill shares with his partner Paul and their two cats. The two-story space has just one (giant) window, one internal door, and is made up of less than 800 square feet. But the couple has maximized every inch and infused the space with style, sophistication, and cozy elegance.
“The spaces truly do flow together like a loft,” Robert says.
The loft-like space is housed in one of the last original downtown Durham warehouses to be built. Coincidentally it was one of the first to be converted to condos, back in the eighties. “It paved the way,” Robert says, for a downtown lifestyle many Durhamites are now accustomed to. Downtown Durham charmed Robert immediately, he says. “The vibe reminded me of Chicago. It feels like a neighborhood in a way,” Robert says. The condo’s main living space, downstairs, is where Robert says the couple spends most of their time. “We bought the biggest, comfiest couch we could find,” he says. In addition to being a cozy landing pad in the condo, the living area serves as a guest room when the couple hosts family
DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 27
and friends. The bedroom is small, Robert says, but it doesn’t feel like it. Because there aren’t any actual walls, the room feels grander and more spacious than it is. Storage is everything in a small space, and Robert says a great closet system and storage for their books make all the difference. “Books are one of the things that make a home cozy,” he says. Beautiful books can be found throughout Robert and Paul’s home. They are artfully stacked on chairs, furnishings, and shelves. The arrangements serve not just as storage but as stylish vignettes to draw the eye around the space. Plants also go a long way in making a space cozy, Robert says. As does art.
“The vibe reminded me of Chicago. It feels like a neighborhood in a way.”
Art hangs throughout the home warming up the brick walls and keeping the space from feeling too severe. Plants, including flowers, are sprinkled throughout the condo. Yellow tulips accentuate the couple’s other sunny accessories which bring even more warmth, and cheerfulness, to the home. Color and wallpaper also pack a punch in Robert’s condo, which manages to somehow feel chic but not overdesigned. It’s no coincidence that Robert’s space strikes all the right design chords. He and Brittany Roux own the popular Roux MacNeill Studio based in downtown Raleigh. Roux MacNeill Studio opened around two years ago after Robert and Brittany worked together for years in design. The two collaborated well in the past and that spirit of collaboration is everything at Roux MacNeill Studio. Collaboration isn’t just important between the two of them, Robert says, but between them and their clients.
“Collaboration just makes projects better,” Robert says.
And Roux MacNeill Studio projects are about more than just a completed space. They are about experience.
28 winter 2020
“Our process is a journey,” Robert says. “We think the experience is as important as the finished project.”
COZY-UP WITH BRITT & ROB’S TIPS FOR A COMFY HOME The Roux MacNeill Studio duo break down how to make it nice
1
Signature Scent: We consider candles an essential design element. Nothing is better for setting the mood.
2
Well-Read: In this digital age, books still add interest to a space like nothing else. Stock up at a local book sale on a budget.
3
Layers of Lighting: Don’t rely on just one light source. Say yes to lamps, sconces, and chandeliers. And everything should be on a dimmer.
4
Cozy Up: Furniture doesn’t have to stay put. Move things around, creating intimate spaces for conversation within a room.
5
Outdoors-In: Bring life to your space with plants of all types and sizes. Even faux plants can do the trick.
free
form
In SUPERFREE Madeline Lee turned a restriction into an opportunity. And we are here for every. single. bite.
32 winter 2020
creative direction by Jade Laurent Jackson photographs by Lauren Vied Allen written by Molly Dansby
Madeline Lee’s SUPERFREE food is as delicious as its there was space for it in the market. When an editor ordered her branding is stylish, so it should come as no surprise that there is in- food, Madeline’s suspicions that SUPERFREE would be a hit were tention behind every mouthwatering bite. reinforced. Diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when she was eighteen, Madeline spent years cooking and creating recipes for herself. She says that while the company is newer, the SUPERFREE concept was in her for a long time.
When Madeline decided to leave the city and move back to North Carolina (she’s from Hillsborough) she set her sights on a program at Duke Integrative Medicine. Around that time she found a kitchen space in downtown Durham.
Madeline grew up with a garden at home and was a long- Madeline describes the Triangle as a place “where I have time vegetarian. She says her creative process involves breaking deep personal roots and connection.” It also “seemed to have a spedown food and rethinking and rebuilding it in a more natural way. cial need for SUPERFREE,” Madeline says. Madeline went to school for nutrition and lived in New York City for several years. She worked on sets as a model, stylist, and trend forecaster, and would bring the food she made for herself to sets across the city. Even in Manhattan, Madeline says, she had trouble finding things she could eat.
She says the area’s diversity due in part to all the big universities, and its rapid growth, drew her in, too. “There is a unique gathering of people who truly want to be more health-conscious in general, but in an area that isn’t at all infiltrated with options,” Madeline says.
“I struggled to find food I could eat and that made me feel good. Or...that didn’t make me feel bad. What a miserable existence,” Fans of SUPERFREE can purchase Madeline’s squares, Madeline says. truffles, oats, raw cheesecakes, butters, and more, but the food is only the tip of the SUPERFREE iceberg. On set people began requesting her food and she realized 34 winter 2020
Madeline describes SUPERFREE as an umbrella. There’s the food, but Madeline also offers counseling and restaurant consulting. She created the SUPERFREE “burger” on the menu at Mama Crow’s Burgers and Salads in downtown Raleigh’s Transfer Co. Food Hall and is excited about doing more counseling and consulting next year. Madeline says she is also looking forward to spending more time and energy on workshops in the coming year. When asked how she would describe the SUPERFREE customer, Madeline doesn’t hesitate. “Any living being. Any sentient body. Truly, though. We all need to eat and we all want to feel good. Be well. We are nothing without our health,” she says. Madeline says she enjoys this time of year in particular as she finds new opportunities to connect with people who expect more from their food. She also sees it as an opportunity to reach people who, because of dietary restrictions, may typically miss out on fun holiday treats. “They finally get something that they can eat and enjoy even more,” with SUPERFREE foods, Madeline says. Relating to others’ feelings of being left out is revealing about Madeline’s thoughtfulness. That same thoughtfulness is evi-
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dent in SUPERFREE’s branding, messaging, and even packaging. SUPERFREE the brand has a distinct look. Madeline describes it as “bold, clean and simple.” Fashion and cosmetics, not often associated with food packaging, especially for natural foods, influenced the SUPERFREE brand. Like Madeline, SUPERFREE is stylish. Style and wellness overlap in SUPERFREE because they overlap in Madeline. “That’s who I am,” she says. Madeline looks forward to growing SUPERFREE both short and longterm. She says she looks forward to launching a line of more shelf-stable goods and hopes there is a cookbook in her future. Her SUPERFREE journey has been a rewarding one, Madeline says. “I have shifted and changed inevitably in this journey, mostly in that I feel more and more empowered in this endeavor of living life to the fullest,” she says. Madeline encourages people to reach out if they’re curious about her counseling and consulting services and looks forward to the possibilities the future holds for SUPERFREE.
FRESH, LOCAL MEDITERRANEAN FOOD Voted Best Caterer in Chapel Hill Best of the Triangle Business of the Year Chapel Hill-Carrboro Best Restaurant in Chapel Hill-Carrboro Peoples Choice Award "Best Eats"
410 West Franklin St. Chapel Hill, NC 27516 919 967-2666 202 W.Haggard Ave. Ste 102 Elon, NC 27244 336 524-6644 catering@mediterraneandeli.com mediterraneandeli.com
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photograph by Carolina Stamey
pairings
we grilled the owners of Papa Shogun on everything from their Italian-Japanese fusion and granny-chic dinnerware to what it’s really like working with your partner
DQM: Tell us a little about yourselves.
DQM: Why Raleigh? Why Seaboard Station?
Katie: I grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and vowed never to leave...then I met Thomas. We met working together on the opening of the very popular Parm concept owned by Major Food Group. From there, I followed him to another New York hot spot, Bubby’s, and then he had this crazy idea of doing Italian-Japanese fusion somewhere other than New York. Lucky for him, he is worth following.
Katie: For me, Raleigh has that big little city feel that I miss most about New York. There are so many new things happening on every block here it seems and it’s so much fun to be a part of it.
Tom: Born and raised in New Jersey in an Italian-American family and all the love and volume that you associate with that! I spent the majority of my culinary career in New York where I met Katie who very quickly became the love of my life. My brother had been living in Chapel Hill for a while and, in visiting him, Katie and I decided that this was the place to be.
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Tom: I feel the same way. And Seaboard Station has this cool, secluded feel to it that reminds me of parts of New York. You never know what kind of gem you might find nestled amongst the different stores and businesses here.
DQM: Tell us a little about Italian-Japanese fusion. Katie: At first, the only thing I could think of was sushi on pizza. But the concept is truly filled with imagination and whimsy. It’s a good representation of who Thomas is as a person and a chef.
Tom: Years ago, I had the pleasure of working with Godfather of American Molecular Gastronomy (I’m coining that term!), Wylie Dufresne, and he always encouraged us to explore new flavors and techniques. It was there that I saw how Italian and Japanese cuisines can be combined. The two cultures have similar diets and they treat their ingredients with the same level of respect.
DQM: What is your favorite item on the new menu? Katie: My heart belongs to the fresh pulled mozz! Tom: Amen to that! A close second for me is the umeboshi ravioli.
DQM: What’s it like working with your partner? Katie & Tom: We work well together because we both have the same vision but different perspectives so it allows us to come at things from different angles. Katie is an idea machine while Tom makes things happen. A match made in heaven.
Katie & Tom: When we opened, our plateware was pretty standard with a few exceptions. For this new concept, we wanted something a little more homey, grandma chic if you will. We want people to think about how cool the dinnerware is and how good the food looks on it.
DQM: When you’re not working how do you like to spend your time? Katie & Tom: When we’re not working (which at least for Tom is rare) we are spending time with our son Dean.
DQM: Do you have any favorite haunts downtown? Katie & Tom: We both really like Mateo in Downtown Durham. The food is great and the atmosphere is fun. In Raleigh, we love going to Bittersweet and hopefully we’ll get over to their new place soon! We also spend a fair amount of time going to Marbles. Our son, Dean, loves the water play area with the pool and the pirate ship.
DQM: What kinds of changes are being made to the dinnerware?
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(not too) far and away FOUR SIMPLE TRIPS TO TRY photographs by Sometimes Home written by Mikkel and Dan Woodruff, Sometimes Home
I excitedly opened a card addressed to “Dan and Mikkel Woodruff,” when I returned to my mailbox after a week in Mexico. Parcels had piled up while we were away. Rummaging through the Black Friday ads and coupon leaflets left us with a few personalized gems. (I still get a kick out of opening mail addressed to our shared last name after getting married this year in downtown Raleigh, a city we love and reside in when we aren’t traveling.)
75 Miles: Goldsboro
This town has gone through a huge revitalization over the past few years and it’s the person place for a weekend escape. It’s just one-hour southeast drive and is full of great BBQ (especially the cash-only establishment, Grady’s) and a charming walkable downtown. Don’t miss your opportunity to sign up for an eye-opening tour of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base the last Thursday of every Upon opening the card, I found our friends dressed in holmonth, free of charge. iday attire as a family three letters scattered on the vertical card in shiny gold letters: JOY. I sifted through the confusion in my mind 100 Miles: Winston-Salem and a blurry mental calendar; was it already time to prepare for December 25th plans? Time to do our “Best Nine” year in reviews on We could stay at the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel all weekInstagram? Where had 2019 gone? end and never leave, but the outdoors called to us. There’s so much With time flying by at an exceedingly rapid pace, it’s hard to more to explore in Winston-Salem. We left our car at the hotel and plan end of the year trips in December or make January plans. But walked or took Lyft or Uber everywhere. Old Salem is both educamany of us share a wanderlust spirit and get antsy if we don’t have a tional and intriguing, and the culinary and beer culture in the city trip on the calendar for some time within the next eight weeks. Why is stronger than ever. They have a wonderful Art District with innot explore a state we absolutely adore? There’s no need to board spiring murals and sculptures. You must get dinner at Mission Pizza an airplane or travel outside the state to feel like you’re on vacation, Napoletana and be sure to try to spot the Art-O-Mats around town whether within a 75 or 175-mile radius. Here are four trips to take with affordable, tiny pieces of art to take home as souvenirs. without much pre-planning within approximately 200 miles of the Raleigh area: 42 winter 2020
Mikkel and Dan have been traversing the globe together for more than four years. Outside of travel writing, she is a professional photographer and he is a Creative Director. Their website aims to bring readers pertinent information about travel in hopes to inspire their next geographical destination or new cultural experience, whether as near as the Triangle or as far as Japan.
150 Miles: Lake Norman We like to think of Lake Norman as a tranquil area to visit and get away from the urban centers of North Carolina. This is why this city, just north of Charlotte, is a divine escape. Watch the sunset over the water while enjoying a meal at Port City Club or partake in a self-guided audio tour of the public sculptures on Davidson College’s campus. Don’t miss a meal at Hello, Sailor, which will delight your interior design and social media posting fantasies while delighting your tastebuds. We loved the hamachi appetizer and homemade soft serve dessert.
175 Miles: Burke County It’s hard to pinpoint one city in Burke County to explore since it encompasses a few towns like Lake Norman, however, we recommend making Morganton your home base. Have dinner at Root and Vine and book tickets for a show or concert at COMMA, the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium. Its interior ceiling has a beautiful fresco by Ben Long and is part of the North Carolina Fresco Trail. Winter weather permitting, head to Pisgah National Forest, Table Rock Mountain and Linville Falls or ski the slopes at Sugar Mountain.
A World Away NCTRC offers clients from the Triangle and beyond an inclusive space. And a bit of magic. photographs by Blissmore Photography written by Molly Dansby
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About a twenty-five-minute drive outside of downtown Chapel Hill you can find the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center (NCTRC) and its barns, horses, and staff nestled in the quiet countryside. It’s a short drive but the center feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s calm and it’s peaceful.
On a tour of the center, between petting horses and helping volunteers, Tess tells me that she’s always loved horses and always knew she’d work with them in some capacity. Tess received her certification through the Therapeutic Riding Center of Israel before starting work at NCTRC, and says her favorite part of her job is how it constantly teaches her something. Not a day goes by at the center, The center, founded in Durham in 1977, has called the she says, without a life lesson, big or small, appearing. Mebane farm home since 2008. It’s here that NCTRC empowers children and adults from the Triangle and beyond. It is the oldest And it doesn’t hurt, Tess says, to be surrounded by horses therapeutic riding center in North Carolina. all day. Through equine-centered activities and therapies the staff, made up mostly of parttime employees and volunteers, serve children and adults. Challenges faced by NCTRC clients include autism, learning disabilities, Cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, behavioral issues, brain injuries, and developmental delays.
“There is something about a horse that frees you. They are without judgment. I think NCTRC offers a place of complete inclusion alongside these incredible equine partners that you can’t find in a traditional therapeutic setting,” Tess says. “I love that no matter what background our clients come from or what diagnosis they may have, there’s a place here for them.”
The nonprofit organization offers therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy, inclusive summer This atmosphere of belonging is something Lara says she camp, veterans services, and learning and certification. also holds dear. “Horses change the lives of our clients in ways that are completely unexpected. It’s really a privilege to see,” Lara Katz, NCTRC’s executive director says. Lara has been at the center since 1992.
“One of the things that I am most proud of at NCTRC is that for many of our clients, it is the only place where they are not stared at, treated differently, or assumed to be lesser because of a disability,” she says.
In addition to activities and therapies, NCTRC has a camp open to kids with or without disabilities. Tess says it’s one of the most inspiring parts of NCTRC.
“There is no greater feeling than watching the sheer joy from our clients when they accomplish a task or skill they’ve been working on. Watching their confidence grow both on and off the horse is...incredible.” “Clients are celebrated for their abilities, whether that is cantering independently or reaching out to touch a horse for the first time,” Lara says.
Tess uses the word “magical” to describe the work that goes on at NCTRC. And Lara cosigns. “I completely agree with Tess on the word magical, although science is finally catching up and we are starting to understand some of the physiological reasons the magic happens,” Lara says. If you’re interested in learning more about NCTRC Tess and Lara recommend checking out the center’s website and sending them an email. They also encourage everyone to follow them on social media.
Tess Sevelow-Lee, NCTRC’s volunteer manager, agrees.
“There is no greater feeling than watching the sheer joy from our clients when they accomplish a task or skill they’ve been working on. Watching their confidence grow both on and off the horse is...incredible,” Tess says. DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 49
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can’t fight THE URGE a local power couple dishes on keeping shop, making things, and family photographs courtesy of Jessie Williams written by Latisha Catchatoorian
Jessie Williams and Derek Keller are cool. It’s that effortless kind of cool, manifested in their clearframed glasses, Jessie’s animal-print top, and the indie music that’s playing softly in the background. But despite their “cool factor”, they’re also warm — like the cups of coffee they’re sipping in their new storefront, Unlikely Professionals. Call them a couple of business owners or just a couple — either title is accurate — but Jessie and Derek are no strangers to the world of retail. Unlikely Professionals, a (mostly) men’s retailer with a curated collection of one-of-a-kind apparel and more, had its soft opening at the beginning of December — it’s one of several storefronts owned by the couple. If their names sound familiar it’s because they own Edge of Urge right across the street and Renew: House of Self Love on South Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh. Unlikely Professionals occupies the former Oak City Cycling space on East Franklin Street — just a stone’s throw away from its sister store. Derek also owns 440 Gentleman Supply, a handmade leather goods company. Making is what they do. It’s how Jessie launched Edge of Urge’s first location in Wilmington in 2002, and ultimately, how she met Derek.
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“It was a total accident — I was living in Chicago and I was hand-knitting these scarves for myself and my friends. I got so many requests; people told me I should start selling them to stores,” Jessie says. “My mom suggested opening my own store and I said, ‘You’re crazy. I don’t know anything about opening a store.’”
“I love Wilmington — I started there. But I really wanted to spread my wings. We had a lot of customers coming from Raleigh anyway, so it seemed like a natural way to expand. Being in Raleigh has been great. It’s a very diverse community, it has a lot of culture. People are adventure seekers (here) and they love being a part of something that’s growing and supporting small businesses. Raleigh Jessie, who is originally from Greensboro, had just gradu- aligns with everything that I believe in and it just feels good to be ated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She started here,” Jessie says. school as a fashion major, but soon realized she didn’t like sketching her ideas out first — she wanted to get her hands dirty from the get- Edge of Urge Raleigh opened in 2014, but Jessie says go and also “hated drawing stick people.” She switched her major to launching the store was harder than she could have possibly imagperformance art and sound engineering. Her plan was to work in a ined. recording studio post-graduation, but that maker’s mind of hers just wouldn’t quit and she put her hands to work, creating scarves, dress- While the Wilmington location was operating like a “welles, swimsuits, and more. oiled machine” Jessie had to figure out how to launch a business in a new location with a new clientele where she knew no one. Having lived in Chicago for several years, she knew there was no way she could afford to open a store in the city but then her “At first, I didn’t know if it was going to work — I had to mom found a small shop in Wilmington and asked her to come change the whole vibe. It took a few years,” Jessie says. “I describe look at it. Edge of Urge Raleigh as the older sister of Edge of Urge Wilmington.” “It was 400 square feet in the old Wilmington City Market and I signed a lease,” Jessie says. “When I opened, I had a mission: As time passed, Edge of Urge began adding men’s business there’s people out there making cool stuff that just need an opportu- and started running out of room for inventory. Knowing that the nity and that’s what Edge of Urge became.” Oak City Cycling space was set to become vacant, Jessie and Derek felt like it was a logical location for expansion. Unlikely Profession Jessie contacted other makers she knew, promising them a als features a workspace for Jessie to create her jewelry and return of the profits if she sold their pieces. Other artists and craftsmen started getting wind of Jessie’s store as a place for their creations Derek to craft his leather and a bar they plan to fully stock to host to find permanent homes and Edge of Urge grew. events. The proximity of both stores makes it easy for them to pop 56 winter 2020
back and forth between the two.
“All of my decision making has changed dramatically. Everything I do, I think about how it’s going to affect my family. She’s You’ll find pieces of both Derek and Jessie throughout my north star,” Jessie says. “When we found out I was pregnant, it was Unlikely Professionals, like a unique three-piece denim suit by like a dream come true.” California-based clothing company Mister Freedom (available for purchase) — it’s the same one Derek wore the day he married Jessie Raising June is the hardest thing they’ve ever done — more in their backyard. (Jessie wore one of five dresses she made herself challenging than the work of all of their stores combined. Jessie in honor of the big day.) Sitting inside a vintage Volkswagen van is admitted she was surprised she had matching shoes on — a feat for Jessie’s old motorcycle (Derek and Jessie went on a bike ride for their these first-time parents juggling the responsibility of raising a child first date.) It’s one she plans to let their two-year-old daughter ride and operating all of their retail “babies” simultaneously. when she’s old enough. Jessie says the first year after June was born was hard. She Call these personal touches decor, memorabilia, or nostal- battled the desire to work and create, while also wanting to spend gia, but it’s how they outfit the space — from their own collection of vital time with her daughter. Jessie’s candor about motherhood is as gadgets and gizmos aplenty. raw as her palpable love for it. “We’re both hoarders. Most of the stuff in this space was in our house or garage. It’s really fun creating spaces together and Derek has such a great eye,” Jessie says. “We have a lot in common, but we also have our differences and I think our differences complement each other.”
“It was an internal struggle of ‘I’m dying inside because I’m not making and I’m not doing things, but I want to be here with my daughter,’” she says. “It’s hard to balance. A lot of people think that being a business owner is all fun all the time and it’s just not.”
Finding unique things to sell is part of it, but it’s also fixing Jessie knew Derek was a rare bird when she met him and broken toilets, bookkeeping, and covering shifts of employees who says it’s the reason she “snatched him up.” A few years after Jessie call in sick. moved to Raleigh to open Edge of Urge, she met Derek. “It’s not a glamorous life — we do it because we love it,” Jes “We met through the maker community. With me doing sie says. leather goods and Jessie owning her store, our paths just crossed,” says Derek. But despite the challenges of being full-time parents and fully self-employed, Jessie and Derek are both deeply thankful for all Jessie came across Derek’s leather work and described him of it. as friendly — they broke the friendship ice with a motorcycle ride and are now on the craziest ride of all — parenthood. “I feel incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to experiment, to be creative, and to have a community that supports it,” Of all the things Jessie and Derek have made over the years, Jessie says. “If I’m not making, I’m just completely dead inside. It feels their 2-year-old daughter June is their greatest creation. really good to have this freedom because I know that it’s not something that everybody is gifted with.”
“Everything I do, I think about how it’s going to affect my family. She’s my north star.” DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 57
when a place becomes a feeling
Charlotte Smith on keeping life cozy photographs by Eve Hobgood written by Jenn Rice
A warm and fuzzy vibe radiates inside Union Camp Collective, no matter the season. Tucked away on Raleigh’s West Street, the store is a glimpse into owner Charlotte Smith’s creative world — a playful, thoughtful, eclectic mix of vintage furnishings, antiques, striking chandeliers, and rare obscurities like a glittery salad bowl with matching tongs from the 1970s that you didn’t know you needed (until now). In winter, the heat is blasting and the scent of fragrant candles wafts through the space. Warmth is “an attitude sprinkled over the shop, all day, every day (for the most part),” Smith says. Being warm is much more than a winter coat or cashmere sweater. It’s more than hot cocoa sipped by a fireplace or a long hot bath followed by a dreamy plush robe — it’s also a space. Or a person. Or even a heart-warming beverage with a memory tied to it. 60 winter 2020
Today Smith rolls into the shop in a vintage Nike sweatshirt and checkered Vans. “If I’m going out I usually am a walking ‘conversation piece’ but day-to-day, I’m incredibly lowkey,” she says. “You gotta be when you’re walking and taking laps on concrete all day — sneaker city.” Outside of shop life, Smith adds sparkles and bright colors to her look for festive outings, noting she’s ultimately more of a “chunky, creamy white sweater with black jeans kinda gal” when it comes to being snug in the dead of winter. The shop is filled with treasures from near and far. Pairing punch colored pillows and a throw with fringe tassels is one way Smith adds style to a space, but warmth is wrapped in psychology, too, Smith knows.
Warmth is “an attitude sprinkled over the shop, all day, every day (for the most part),”
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At home, Smith and partner, Joseph Jeffers, owner of Stanbury, define warm by way of a bottle of Barolo or a Budweiser. Home is where they savor the quiet, cozy moments together. “We have a cashmere throw that was a gift and it’s lovely and luxurious and makes us feel — in coordination with a nice glass of wine and handmade fire — that we’re really living beautifully,” Smith says.
“It’s spaghetti and meatballs or Joseph’s perfectly rare ribeye and arugula — no plates, just on the cutting board for grabs.”
“It’s spaghetti and meatballs or Joseph’s perfectly rare ribeye and arugula — no plates, just on the cutting board for grabs,” says Smith. “It’s a big glass of red wine on our cushy red Chesterfield that seats me, Joseph and Clara (their dog), a fire he or I made, some candles lit. It’s both of us getting out of our heads and watching two hours of something beautiful and interesting.” Their furnishings are a mix of vintage and antique items. “Everything in our space means something to us, separately or together,” Smith says. Art is everywhere and “nothing is too cold.” From the shop, a mid-century modern teak coffee table and sofa, with tufted buttons, grace the living space. “They are not fussy, they show wear and they’re comfortable and sturdy.” While we chat, Jeffers sips hot cider out of a vintage mug, staying warm by way of a burn barrel — a gift he made for Smith last year. “I’d begged him to do it since we met,” she says. “For me, his barrels double as a night luminary,” noting the shapes cut into the barrel make for great shadows at night. “We don’t cook on it but we could,” she adds. “It’s a great conversation topic for Joseph as most folks don’t realize how talented he is outside Stanbury.” Brandy is also a staple libation for winter in the household. “Joseph has been on a Calvados kick since we got back from France last year,” Smith says. “He traveled to Normandy before we met in Paris and was able to see where his grandfather fought on D-Day,” she says. “Long story short, we‘ve both consumed an impressive lion’s share of cider and Calvados over the past 365.” A bottle of WhistlePig 18 Year should also be stashed away for celebratory toasts. DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 63
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Stanbury’s Cider
Shop the Story
Jeffers shares his hyped cider recipe found at Stanbury during winter months.
Like what you see? Almost everything in this story is shoppable!
ingredients
union camp collective
directions
raleigh vintage
1 gallon unfiltered apple cider 4 sliced oranges 4 sticks cinnamon 2 tsp Cloves 5 dashes bitters
Bring all ingredients to boil and let simmer 30 minutes. Serve in favorite mug and drink by fire.
Charlotte’s shop 1109 N. West St., Raleigh unioncampcollective.com
provided Charlotte’s wardrobe for the story 18 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh raleighvintage.com
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New Nails New You Heating things up with the half-moon manicure
creative direction by Jade Laurent Jackson photographs by Emily Lyons-Wood nails by Nail Yeah!
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(919)-667-9444 • arrowstudionc@gmail.com • 105 w main st. durham, NC 27701 • arrowstudionc.com DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY 69
Sculptural
Feature Flora’s breathtaking work is more art than arrangement
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creative direction by Jade Laurent Jackson photographs by Lauren Vied Allen
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illustration by Rachel Holt
DOWNTOWN FOR KIDS! where we’re shopping for the littles in our lives lately, and where they’re getting their wiggles out
SHOPPING
WIGGLING
Carrboro Ali Cat Toys 200 North Greensboro Street
Chapel Hill Hargraves Community Park 216 North Roberson Street
Durham Tiny 770 9th Street
Durham Mount Merrill at Durham Central Park 501 Foster Street
Raleigh Marbles Corner Store 201 East Hargett Street
Raleigh Moore Square 226 East Martin Street
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DOWNTOWN QUARTERLY downtownquarterly.com | @downtownquarterly | downtownquarterlymag@gmail.com
