The holidays are approaching, and although we support small businesses year-round, we encourage our visitors to keep the spirit of shopping small in mind this season. Embrace the #ShopSmall sentiment with thoughtful local gifts for friends and family, from holiday gift baskets to memorable Chatham County experiences.
Many of our businesses offer specials and discounts around this time, along with sip-and-shop events, holiday markets, and other seasonal festivities. Here are a few of our favorite ways to share a taste of Chatham, all while supporting the local chefs, artists, and entrepreneurs that make our area unique.
Food For Thought
The most wonderful time of the year is also the busiest for many of us. Simplify the prep work while still assembling a stellar spread with Thanksgiving takeaway meals from Café Root Cellar, Natural Chef Cafe, and Fearrington House Restaurant. These local restaurants offer their own twists on traditional flavors – choose from their full menus or a la carte options. Explore our catering list for more local entertaining options this holiday season.
Our farmers markets offer a wide selection of produce, meats, and other local products for those who prefer to prepare their own local Thanksgiving feast at home. Check out the following markets (see individual listings for fall and winter hours):
- Tuesdays, Year-Round: Fearrington Farmers Market.
- Wednesdays, March-December: Siler City Growers and Makers Market.
- Thursdays, Year-Round: Pittsboro Farmers Market.
- Fridays, Year-Round: Briar Chapel Farmers Market.
- Saturdays, April-January: Chatham Mills Farmers Market.
Looking for ways to celebrate Thanksgiving without the hosting responsibilities? These events offer community and camaraderie, without all the cleanup:
- Saturday, November 22, 6pm-8:30pm: Fall Vegan Potluck at Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge.
- Wednesday, November 26, 2pm-5pm: Thanksgiving Wine Tasting at Vino!! Wine Shop.
- Thursday, November 27, 12pm-4pm: 4th Annual Pay-What-You-Can Thanksgiving Dinner with Quiltmaker Cafe.
- Friday, November 28, 6pm-8:30pm: Siler City Community Potluck.
A Uniquely Chatham Gift Basket
Impress the foodie in your life with a holiday gift basket packed with local treats and craft beverages. Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More has a variety of delicacies to savor and share – stock up on sweet and savory biscuits, chocolates, praline pecans, and, of course, their signature nutty fruitcake. We highly recommend taking a leaf-peeping road trip down the Devil’s Tramping Ground Road N.C. Scenic Byway, for guided tours, tastings, and a chance to see the showroom beautifully decorated for the season. If you can’t make the drive to Bear Creek, a limited selection of Southern Supreme items is available at the Siler City Pharmacy and select Whole Foods locations in the Triangle. They also ship globally.
Pair your goodies with award-winning Celebrity Dairy goat cheese and accoutrements – Cackalacky snacks and sauces, truffle-infused goodies from Truffletopia, local honey from Rocky River Bees, and award-winning creations from Ms. Ruth’s Jams. Be sure to add a treat or two from a locally owned bakery, such as Phoenix Bakery, Carolina Cravings, Willy’s Cinnamon Rolls, or Melanie Panaderia y Pasteleria.
Round out your gift basket with award-winning coffee, wines, and craft beverages, including spirits from Fair Game Beverage Company, house-roasted coffee beans from Aromatic Roasters and Vortex Roasters, and craft beer from some of our area’s best breweries. Thirsty Skull Brewing, Carolina Brewery & Grill, Havoc Brewing Company, and bmc brewing all offer seasonal brews fit for colder weather. Additionally, wines from Fire Clay Cellars and Starrlight Mead and Cider are sure to please both sommeliers and casual enthusiasts alike.
Sip, Shop, and Save
Holiday markets and annual Sip-and-Shop events are a staple of the season in Chatham County, offering ample opportunities to find locally made gifts crafted with care. Mark your calendars for:
- Wednesday, November 19, 5pm-7pm: Sip and Shop at Vino!! Wine Shop, featuring Blue Blaze Jewelry and Gigi’s Candy Jar.
- Saturday, November 22, 9am-3pm: Christmas on Chatham Street with The Grainery & Co.
- Saturday, November 22, 9am-3pm: 5th Annual Holiday Market at For Garden’s Sake.
- Sunday, November 23, 10am-3pm: Annual Tree Farm Market at Jordan Lake Farms.
- Saturday, November 29, 10am-2pm: Annual Holiday Bazaar at Bynum General Store.
- Sunday, December 7, 1pm-5:30pm: 2nd Annual Siler City Christmas Market.
- Saturday, December 13, 11am-3pm: Moncure-Haywood Holiday Arts and Crafts Street Fair.
You can also create your own sip-and-shop experience with Pittsboro’s Social District! Grab your favorite beverage from a participating bar or restaurant and stroll through historic downtown Pittsboro at your own pace, exploring shops like New Horizons, Katty Korner Downtown Market, and Deep River Mercantile. Many of our businesses will host sales throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, including Marigold. Time your visits to correspond with artist receptions at Show of Hands Gallery and the Pittsboro Gallery of Arts, hosted on the first Sunday and third Friday of every month, respectively.
Located just outside downtown Pittsboro, The Plant in Pittsboro is home to its own Chatham Beverage District, featuring bmc brewing, Fair Game Beverage Company, Koshu Sake, and Starrlight Mead and Cider. Embrace the slow fashion movement with Hempsmith Clothing Company and discover locally-inspired scents at Essence 4 You Candle Boutique. Grab a bite to eat from Kingston 99 Kitchen or Ta Contento to round out your visit.
We encourage everyone to #ShopSmall throughout the year. Let us be a resource for you as you plan your holiday shopping and travel this season.
