Shopping

Not only do our readers love to shop, they love to share the news of their great finds! Whether a big box store or a local boutique, Western Wake offers an ever growing number of shopping destinations. Readers weighed in on everything from the best place to buy cars and clothes to flowers, furniture, even bed linens. Some are perennial favorites; others are bursting onto the shopping scene and making a splash.

There is a new winner this year for Best Art in Western Wake, but surely it's a venue everyone is familiar with: Cary's Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival. More than 30 years ago the first Lazy Daze Festival featured 100 artists and took up one town block. Today, there are more than 350 artists who travel from all over the country to display their talent at what has become one of the premier arts festivals in the Southeast. The annual August festival in downtown Cary offers everything from fine art painting and photography to metal sculptures and hand-blown glass, clay and wood pieces.

"The Festivals Committee works very hard each year to maintain and increase the quality of the artists that are being presented," said Joy Ennis, festivals coordinator. "We have a good solid jury process that evaluates all the applications and also a quality control procedure that ensures that the high standards the festival is known for are maintained."

Ennis adds there is a wealth of local artists in the area, ranging from visual arts to performing arts and public artists. The Cary arts community is clearly not only growing in numbers, but with the Lazy Daze win, is growing in its appreciation of good art as well.

In these worrisome economic times, voters showed how much they appreciate a good deal by choosing Kohl's as the place for the Best Bargain. New to the list this year, Kohl's wins out against TJ Maxx and Target, other local favorites. Maybe it's their popular 50 percent off sales or the extra benefits and deals offered to credit card holders, but shoppers flock to the store on Walnut Street. An added bonus is that you can shop for everyone plus your home at Kohl's. Back-to-school clothes? Check. Christmas toys and birthday gifts? Check. A new skillet or some fun, flirty glassware? Check, check. The discount department store also ranked as a customer favorite as one of the best places to shop for kids' and men's clothes.

Speaking of shopping for good deals, we have a new winner this year for Best (non-mall) Shopping Center: Beaver Creek Commons. Nestled between US 64 and NC 55 in a fast-growing section of Apex, the development has grown steadily since its opening in 2004. While it is anchored by several major big box stores like Super Target, Lowe's, and Petsmart, it's also home to more than 50,000 square feet of specialty retail and restaurants. Add in your local bank, and Beaver Creek Commons becomes a one-stop shop for many folks. The adjacent Beaver Creek Crossings shopping center adds even more allure with popular stores like Dick's Sporting Goods, TJ Maxx and the Beaver Creek Cinema 12. While development continues in Beaver Creek, it has cemented its place as a favored locale among readers, besting long time leader Cary Crossroads Plaza and trendy Cameron Village.

One perennial favorite that won't be bested is Auto Park Honda as Best Car Dealership. There is no question that our readers love to drive Hondas and they love to buy them from the folks on Auto Park Boulevard.

"We try to do business the right way without any games or gimmicks and make it easy and fun to buy a new car," said General Manager Danny Williams. "I think that is what sets us apart from the typical dealership."

Williams also offered a little "Insight" to what's coming this year for Honda lovers. The new affordable 4-door hybrid with great gas mileage (numbers not available) is supposed to be better than the Civic hybrid and the Prius. That's definitely something conservation-minded consumers can look forward to. But it's hard to beat Honda's best-selling Accord, just like it's hard to beat Auto Park Honda. They have won this distinction the last four years.