On a balmy summer evening, as my Painkiller cocktail at The Crunkleton took hold, I ducked out of the West Franklin Street bar for some relief. I needed something sweet after dinner at Carolina Brewery, so I practically skipped a few doors down to Mediterranean Deli where I filled a box full of goodies: a slice of cheesecake, a lemon bar and my favorite, walnut baklava. My friends were posted up in the back of the bar when I returned; selfish me did not share the baklava.
Four weeks later, a fire that started in Med Deli’s roof destroyed the restaurant and damaged adjoining businesses Simply Audrey, DB Sutton & Co., Moshi Moshi and Tropical Smoothie.
Med Deli owner Jamil Kadoura has made philanthropy a core part of his business for years. “This community is just a beautiful community that believes in itself, and it believes in others, and it believes in outsiders,” he told Chapel Hill Magazine two years ago. Jamil raised $18,000 in one day for hurricane recovery in Haiti, held another fundraiser for flood relief in Pakistan and amassed $26,000 in 2 1⁄2 hours for Syrian refugees, just to give you a few examples. “I called on the community, and the community came” during these efforts, he said.
And when Jamil needed the community to show up, this time for his own restaurant and employees, they did – and then some. The GoFundMe set up to help pay wages to his affected employees had raised more than $210,000 from over 3,000 donors as of press time. You certainly can’t keep a good man down, and Jamil and his team were right back in the game a week later with catering orders. But I know I’m not alone in awaiting the reopening of this cherished restaurant, hopeful that it returns even bolder and better than ever.
As we see within Med Deli’s story – and what we hope you’ll discover in these pages – local restaurants, bars and farms play a crucial role in our community’s vitality, and it’s with great joy that we shine a spotlight on them in our Food, Drink & Farms issue every year. So join us as we raise a toast to the heart and soul of our towns. – Jessica Stringer, editor
THE FOOD, DRINK & FARMS ISSUE
64 Whisking Success
Two siblings team up to bake treats inspired by their travels
68 Perfect Patios
A few favorite alfresco spots
72 Where She Belongs
Meet a young Asian American leader preserving her cultural heritage through farming
78 Cultivating Community
Faithfull Farms is a sustainable oasis nurturing faith and bountiful harvests
FALL ARTS
42 Making Some Noise
A closer look at a few pieces from the inaugural Uproar Festival of Public Art
48 Center of Attention
A professional actor and director sets the stage for a new community theater
54 A Modern Day Wanderer
Meet a local software engineer who performs annually at the Carolina Renaissance Festival
56 Turning the Page
Mipso talks overcoming doubts, embracing change and calling North Carolina home on the eve of the release of their “Book of Fools” album
58 Fall Arts Guide
Can’t-miss concerts, events and more
FEATURES
32 A Magic Carpet Ride
Reflections on The Persian Carpet’s journey as its owners prepare to close the showroom and pivot their business
38 Falling for Randolph County
Must-try autumnal experiences in the heart of North Carolina
90 Into the Woods
The Kersh family found a hidden gem in the wilderness during lockdown
DEPARTMENTS
10 About Town
Events not to miss
22 Noted
What we’ve heard around our towns …
114 Pet Resources
A guide to area vets, animal hospitals, groomers, boarders, pet sitters and dog parks
PEOPLE & PLACES
16 2023 Business Excellence Awards
18 Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate Fundraiser & Graduation
