There’s really no such thing as a Carolina bagel or Queen City gumbo. But if the following culinary traditions weren’t exactly invented in North Carolina, we’ve certainly made them our own.
The Baddest Girl on the Planet
With the crashing waves of Hatteras Island as the backdrop, Heather Frese’s award-winning debut novel follows the story of a local girl who’s fed up with being held down.
Peanuts! Get Your Peanuts!
Boiled, brittled, or bagged at the ballpark, there’s a peanut for practically every time and place. We’re proud that so many of them come from eastern North Carolina — ranked fifth in the nation for peanut production — where a whole lot of legumes find purchase in our sandy soil.
The Little Hardware Store That Could
When a Wilkes County farmer opened his namesake hardware store a century ago in North Wilkesboro, no one could have predicted that Lowe’s would go from selling snuff and horse collars to becoming one of the largest home improvement chains in the world.
Bowls of Paradise
North Carolinians have always known that our pottery tradition is something to celebrate. As its dishware in simple shapes and earthy colors captivates a growing fan base, Asheville’s East Fork pottery is letting the rest of the world in on our secret.
Dresses for Success
In 1936, a young man from Lexington left the orphanage that raised him and built a legacy from the ground up. His company — appropriately called National — keeps women around the country dressed in comfort, and his story continues to inspire.
I-95 Road Trip: Main Street Magic in Roanoke Rapids
On “The Avenue,” the beating heart of Roanoke Rapids, a shop called Rivertown keeps reinventing itself, delivering just what its customers are looking for — including, simply, a comforting spot to spend an afternoon.
I-95 Road Trip: The Story of Bright Leaf Hot Dogs
Red hot dogs? It’s a North Carolina thing. Our favorite franks are those fire-engine red Bright Leaf dogs made from a secret recipe at a sprawling factory in Smithfield.
I-95 Road Trip: 17 Can’t-Miss Stops
Travelers use I-95 to get to their destinations quickly. But scattered between Roanoke Rapids and Lumberton are plenty of reasons to take a break from the interstate.
