Hi Cary,

I hope you had a good weekend. We've got a nice week ahead: a long-awaited bookstore is about to open its doors downtown, one of country music's fastest-rising stars is coming to Koka Booth, and there's plenty to get into once the workday is done. Here's what's happening around town.

Today I've got a downtown dream finally coming true, a bistro worth dressing up for, an easy way to skip the parking this summer, and a full week of things to do.

Anyway, here’s what you can expect in Today’s issue:

— Jake from Cary Digest

Good news for Cary's book lovers: Juliet Books & Beautiful Things, a brand-new independent bookstore, is opening in the heart of historic downtown, with a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, July 28 at 10:00 AM. You'll find it at 200 Parkthrough Street, in the well-loved old space that was home to Tart's Barber Shop for decades.

The shop is the passion project of Marcie Montague, a longtime Cary resident who spent more than twenty years in tech, much of it right here at SAS, before deciding to chase a dream she had been holding onto for the better part of a decade. The result is a warm, thoughtfully designed space stocked with new fiction and nonfiction, a carefully curated shelf of used books, children's titles (don't miss "The Little Loft" upstairs), coffee, and local, literary gifts. It's exactly the kind of independent, community-minded shop that makes downtown Cary special, and one more reason to spend an afternoon wandering Chatham Street. Swing by the ribbon-cutting to be one of the first through the door.

Love a good deal? Good Finds Daily tracks down the best sales on Amazon's most well-reviewed products and sends them your way every morning, Tuesday through Saturday. Kitchen gadgets, tech, home upgrades, beauty steals, pet picks, and more, all curated and always free.

If a downtown afternoon has you sticking around for dinner, make a proper night of it at Academy Street Bistro. Tucked into the heart of downtown Cary at 200 S. Academy Street, this chef-owned, locally loved spot serves an eclectic New American menu that feels like a step up without being stuffy, whether you are at a candlelit table inside or out on the charming patio.

The kitchen has a way with the classics and the creative alike. Regulars rave about the Bistro burger, piled with bacon jam and a runny egg, and the rich lobster bisque, but you really cannot go wrong here: fried calamari to start, a beet and arugula salad crowned with shrimp, braised short rib, chicken Milanese, oysters, and a rotating daily catch built around fresh, seasonal ingredients. There is a thoughtful cocktail list, local beer, and wine, plus house-made desserts (and a few sourced from other Cary shops). Vegetarian and gluten-free diners are well looked after, too. It is an easy pick for date night, a celebration, or a bite before a show at the nearby Cary Arts Center. Reservations are a good idea on weekends.

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Here is what is on around town this week:

Tuesday, July 21 "Best Day Ever" at The Cary Theater 6:00 PM · 122 E. Chatham St. (free, ticket required) A free community film night presented with Wake County, NC Adaptive, and Triangle Off Road Cyclists. Admission is free, but you will want to grab a ticket in advance.

Friday, July 24 Ella Langley: The Dandelion Tour 7:00 PM · Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy One of country's fastest-rising stars brings The Dandelion Tour to Symphony Lake for a big, high-energy night under the pines. Tickets required, and note that outside food and drink are not permitted for this show.

Saturday, July 25 Cary Downtown Farmers Market 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM · East Park Street, next to Downtown Cary Park (free) A Cary Saturday staple since 1994: local produce, pasture-raised meats, baked goods, flowers, and crafts from vendors within 100 miles, with live music all morning. Dog-friendly, and best enjoyed early before the heat sets in.

Sunday, July 26 Summer Family Series: "Short Circuit" 12:00 PM · The Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham St. Wrap up the weekend with a family matinee downtown: the 1986 favorite about a lovable military robot who sparks to life. Easygoing fun for all ages.

Sunday Live Music at Bond Brothers Eastside Evening · 602 E. Chatham St. (no cover) Cap off the weekend with free live music at Cary's homegrown brewery. Check the calendar for the night's lineup.

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