Celebrate Local: National Small Business Week in Fuquay-Varina (May 4

Celebrate Local: National Small Business Week in Fuquay-Varina (May 4–8, 2026)

There’s something special about Fuquay-Varina – and if you’ve spent any time here, you already know what it is.

It’s the friendly faces behind the counters, the familiar names on storefronts, the business owners who remember your order, your dog’s name, and ask how your week’s been going. Around here, small businesses aren’t just places to shop – they’re the heartbeat of our community.

That’s why National Small Business Week (May 4th – May 8th, 2026) is such a big deal in Fuquay-Varina. And this year, the town is showing up in the best way – with a full week of events designed to empower, educate, and celebrate local businesses.

🗓️ What’s Happening Small Business Week

Whether you’re a business owner, dreaming of starting something, or just love supporting local—there’s something for everyone.

Monday, May 4TH | Kickoff Event + Small Business Panel (10:00–11:30AM)

Small Business week kicks off with a bang at the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, featuring:

A proclamation from Mayor Bill Harris
A Small Business Owner Panel with local favorites like Revelry Barber & Shave Shop, Mason Jar Tavern/Lager Co., Turpentine Design, & more…
Insight into Carolina HealthWorks, an affordable healthcare option for small businesses

👉 Expect real talk, real stories, and real advice from people doing it right here in our community.

Tuesday, May 5th | Commercial Real Estate & Growth Workshop (10:00–11:15AM)

If you’ve ever thought about opening a storefront or scaling your business – this is for you.

Local experts from High House Capital, Rich Commercial Realty, and SVN Raleigh will break down:

Rising rent trends
What to expect when moving into brick-and-mortar
How to prepare financially and strategically

👉 Basically…the stuff no one tells you until you’re already in it!

Wednesday, may 6th | Professional Headshots (10:00AM–3:00PM)

Lights, Camera, Photo op! Time to level up your brand ✨

Reflections Camera & Drone Photography is offering professional headshots (by signup only), perfect for:

Business owners
Realtors 👀
Entrepreneurs & creatives

👉 Because first impressions matter – and your LinkedIn pic deserves better.

Thursday, may 7th | Marketing + Branding Panel (10:00AM–3:00PM)

A must-attend for anyone trying to stand out online.

Featuring local creatives and marketing pros:

👉 Learn how to build a brand that actually connects – and converts.

Friday, may 8th | Community Cookout (12:00–2:00PM)

Ending the week the Fuquay way – with food and community 🌭

Join local business owners, leaders, and neighbors for:

Burgers, hotdogs, veggie options
Drinks, dessert, and good vibes
Networking that doesn’t feel like networking

👉 The goal? Meet someone new – or strengthen a connection you already have.

💛 Why Supporting Local Matters

Shopping local isn’t just a trend – it’s an investment in your community.

When you support small businesses in Fuquay-Varina, you’re:

Fueling the local economy (more money stays right here in town)
Creating jobs for your neighbors and friends
Encouraging unique, one-of-a-kind businesses instead of cookie-cutter chains
Helping families, not corporations

And honestly? It just feels better.

There’s a story behind every storefront here – and when you choose local, you become part of it.

🏡 A Note From Front Porch Realty

At Front Porch Realty, supporting local isn’t just something we talk about – it’s who we are.

We live here, we work here, and we love helping people find their place in a community that truly cares. From your favorite coffee shop to your future front porch, it’s all connected.

🎉 Join the Celebration

The best part?
👉 You do NOT have to be a Chamber member to attend any of these events.

So whether you’re:

A small business owner
Thinking about starting something
New to the area
Or just love Fuquay

We hope you’ll come out, get involved, and celebrate everything that makes this town so special.

💬 Let’s Keep It Local

Small business week week (and every week), challenge yourself to:

Try a new local spot
Share your favorite business on social
Leave a positive review
Shop small whenever you can

Because when small businesses win…Fuquay wins 💛

Around Town in Fuquay-Varina

Fuquay Varina – A Dash More – and that is JUST what our community continues to prove with our continuing growth all around town. Whether you are a long-time resident, visiting for a few days, or relocating to our beautiful town, it is easy to get lost. Both Downtown districts continue to grow and with so many new and fun places to venture, you may get yourself turned around! Maybe you are looking for a new spot to eat dinner and do some shopping. Now, it’s easier than ever to find businesses and restaurants with the new kiosks that have been installed in the downtown area. The kiosks list businesses, events, parks, and even upcoming weather information!

The KIOSKS are installed at: Main/Vance Public Parking Lot (205 S. Main Street) Varina Public Parking Lot (420 E. Broad Street) Town Hall (134 N. Main Street)

Fuquay-Varina’s CRAZY Housing Market

It’s certainly no secret how CRAZY the housing market is across the nation and our little neck of the woods is certainly no different! Our current housing inventory is super low so we thought we would share a few thoughts and tips for getting a seller to say YES to YOUR offer! The “norm” has always been to include a pre-qualification letter with your offer, but now we need a pre-APPROVAL letter. This basically means all of your numbers have been verified through actual documents that you have provided to your lender and your file has been through preliminary underwriting. If you have cash, which is getting much more common in this market, we will need “proof of funds” from your lender. Speaking of your lender, it is much more preferable to use a LOCAL one. Our local lenders know our market and the norms for lending on the homes in our market, they will also be ordering appraisals from local appraisers which certainly can make a difference for an opinion of value. Your offer needs to be super “clean”, and by that we mean; do not ask the seller for ANYTHING…not to pay for any of your closing costs, not to buy you a home warranty, and especially not to do anything out of the ordinary like cutting down the big tree next to the driveway. Offer a quick closing and offer for the sellers to rent back from you, preferably for free, or whatever will make it more convenient for them. You would think the seller will most likely want to accept an offer that nets them the most money, however this is not always the case. Having a professional, experienced, buyer’s agent is super important in this market. Your agent will guide you through the terms for your offer to help make it the most favorable. They will also be able to professionally communicate to the seller’s agent your personal situation and how “easy” of a transaction they vow their buyer will be. Finally, and this is a big one, be prepared to put down a sizable due diligence deposit with your offer. This is non-refundable, albeit a credit at closing, funds straight to the seller while you are getting your due diligence done. Essentially you are “buying time off the market”, so if you are serious about wanting to purchase their home it better be worth it to the seller. This number is ALMOST as important as the sales price because it is going to tell the seller how serious you are and whether you are likely to terminate your offer prior to closing. It is not unusual to see $10,000-$25,000 of due diligence being put down with an offer these days. With all this being said, are you thinking of selling your home? Now is the time to do it! Be sure you have an experienced, professional, agent to help you out so you don’t leave any of your equity on the table! I promise you, the right agent on your side will net you the most from your sale with the least amount of headaches! We have numerous Real Estate Professionals here at Front Porch Realty who are happy to talk you through the process! They can get you started on that home search once you’re ready to go! You can call now at 919-577-0175 to speak with the agent on duty TODAY! Hope you all have a happy Summer!

Ever Wonder Why We Look So Good?

Introducing Mary Pickard Photography. Mary is the photographer who takes most of the pictures for our Front Porch Realty website. As you can tell, Mary is passionate about what she does, is talented and has over 35 years experience. We love having her on our team! Check out Mary’s website to find out more about her, view more of her work, and how to contact her directly. Mary is local to both of our office locations and has been taking our new listing photos for years and so it made sense that we would call on her when we were ready to launch our new website earlier this year! Mary was pivotal in the creation of the “Our Towns” page and highlighting all that our wonderful towns have to offer. She’s always willing and ready on a moments notice to take our new listing photos as well photos of new businesses in town, so all can be added to our website quickly. No one sells Fuquay-Varina and Holly Springs like Front Porch Realty!