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Mar 19, 2026

Historic pieces, new potential: Westdale Vintage blends memory, sustainability and one-of-a-kind style

 Michelle Clark and her husband, Jamil Rashad, opened Westdale Vintage at 1225 Fort Bragg Road in Historic Haymount in October 2024. Photo provided by Ian Tilghman.After moving back to her hometown of Fayetteville to take care of her aging fathe ...

Mar 18, 2026

Young entrepreneur turns pro bono social media work into Fayetteville-focused marketing venture

Images courtesy of Michael AazamFayetteville native Michael Aazam, a freshman at  UNC Chapel Hill studying business administration with a focus in marketing, is already leveraging real-world experience that many marketing majors don’t gain until ...

Mar 5, 2026

Faith, family and franchises: King and Latonia Parks drive community growth through diverse business ventures

King and Latonia Parks both had successful careers in the military before returning to civilian life and starting their real estate business. They eventually expanded their portfolio, opening a Cold Stone Creamery in Hope Mills and The UPS Store on C ...

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Madison Howard
Systel Business Equipment

Playing to Win: Why Your Business Can’t Stand Still

Posted Mar 2, 2026
It’s the time of year when brackets are filling out, game plans are tightening up, and teams are preparing for the next round. In sports, standing still isn’t an option. If you want to advance, you practice to refine and strengthen weak spots while&n
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Feb 19, 2026

Lasting leadership: Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Michael Nagowski reflects on his career as he approaches retirement

 Mike Nagowski speaks to the nearly 300 guests who attended the medical school's groundbreaking ceremony in September 2024. Photo provided by Methodist University.It would be an understatement to say that Michael Nagowski has made an impact on t ...

Dec 22, 2025

Questions & Answers: Getting to know Mike Berk, Longleaf Pine Realtors® new CEO

Mike BerkMike Berk is still getting settled into his new office and home, but his enthusiasm for his new role as CEO of Longleaf Pine REALTORS® is already in full swing. Just a few weeks into the job, the association management veteran sat down with ...

Dec 19, 2025

A little something special; Downtown Fayetteville’s first micro grocery and corner store now open

Downtown Fayetteville now has its first chef-driven grocery and corner store in Market Square. Market Square Pantry is a new community minded market, offering things like seasonal fresh produce, easy grab snacks, fresh bakery items and other foo ...

Dec 11, 2025

Hemp hemp hurray: Local farmer and business man seeks to educate the broader community about the many uses for hemp

Keith Dunn began farming hemp in 2017. A few weeks later he founded East Carolina Hemp Supply. After years of slow but steady growth, Dunn hopes to one day be able to build a hemp processing plant in North Carolina to boost the industry and local eco ...

Nov 14, 2025

National Entrepreneur Month: Local Black-owned company revenue exceeds $20M with 300-acre ranch

Fayetteville-based entrepreneur Fred Surgeon has achieved a great deal on his journey from early franchise operations to a family of companies, including a 300-acre agritourism destination co-owned with his wife, Anita Surgeon. Now, he wants to help ...

Nov 13, 2025

Women’s-only fitness studio thrives on community and prepares for supersized Ladies Lift Night with a goal of giving back

Gracefully Fit is located in Westwood Shopping Center occupying just over 4000 square feet. Photos by GFBJ.This time last year, GFBJ sat down with Grace Bex to discuss her vision of opening a women’s only fitness center in Fayetteville. After overcom ...


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In The Current Issue

CommWell Health opening new location in Coats; announces retirement of CEO

Graphic courtesy of CommWell HealthCommWell Health, a large private nonprofit Community Health Center, was recently awarded a competitive grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand essential healthcare access in C


Advancing military technology: Dragon's Lair pitch goes from idea to production

Spc. Alexander Soto, a paratrooper assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, presents the modular drone case at the Airborne Innovation Lab, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 9, 2026. Soto noted the recurring problem of drones


Hogs & chickens & turkeys, oh my! Sampson County Friends of Agriculture Ag Rally scheduled for March 17

Graphic provided by Sampson County Friends of AgricultureThe Sampson County Friends of Agriculture would like to invite the greater Fayetteville community to their annual Agriculture Rally on March 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Originally organized by