Best Car Dealership: Hendrick Toyota Scion
The future looks bright for the experienced staff at Hendrick Toyota Scion of Apex: from left, Brandon Boyd, used car manager; Ash Bhattarai, general sales manager; and Brian Flick, service director.
Best Jewelry Shop: Johnson’s Jewelers
All that glitters IS gold at Johnson’s Jewelers! This year’s winner as Best Jewelry Shop, the oldest jeweler in Cary makes an encore presentation on the Maggy list, after winning in 2006 and 2009, and earning five HMs along the way.
Family owned and operated by the Capps crew, Johnson’s offers the most modern bling, with good old-fashioned customer service. Where else can you find a pearls specialist?
And thanks to a recent makeover, the shop is lighter and brighter than ever, from its signage to its showcases!
Also on the red carpet for Best Jewelry Shop are Holland’s Jewelers and Stonehaven Jewelry Gallery.
Best Nonprofit: Dorcas Ministries
Our readers love Dorcas Ministries, voting the nonprofit into three first-place wins in the Shopping category plus Best Nonprofit under the Lifestyle header!
Inside Dorcas Ministries' Thrift Shop.
Dorcas scored for Best Bargains, Best Shoes & Accessories, and Best Adult Clothing. It also earned HMs in Best Antiques and Best Children’s Clothing.
Best Place to Shop for Antiques: The Perfect Piece & Downtown Apex
Making its debut on the Maggy stage is The Perfect Piece, claiming a tie for first place as Best Place to Shop for Antiques (with Downtown Apex), and honorable mentions in Best Bargains and Best Home Furnishings & Décor.
This family-owned, downtown Cary shop opened in May 2012, expanded to 11,000 square feet of retail heaven in summer 2013, and shows no sign of slowing down! And with 38 vendor booths and more than 900 consignors, the store is ever-changing to making shopping fun.
Inside Best New Business Halie's Boutique.
Most unusual items seen: Owners Betty Haskell and Rebecca Ennis say those would be a floor lamp in the shape of a deer, with a lampshade for his head, and a log picnic table.
Supporting cast: Fill out a handy Wish List, and staff will help you score that … well … Perfect Piece!
Inside Halie's Boutique.
HMs in the Best Antiques slot are The Rusty Bucket and the Raleigh Flea Market at the N.C. State Fairgrounds, tied for second, and Dorcas Ministries’ thrift shop.
Best New Business: Halie’s Boutique
Three Cary boutiques made their mark on the Maggys this year, each earning a first-place win and an honorable mention or two. They are:
- Ivy Cottage Collections, Best Home Furnishings & Décor winner and HM for Best Place to Find a Gift
- Swagger, Best Place to Find a Gift winner and HM for Best Shoes & Accessories and Best Adult Clothing
- And newcomer Halie’s Boutique as Best New Business and HM for Best Shoes & Accessories and Best Place to Find a Gift.
Steve and Corrie Ismaili at the grand opening of Halie’s Boutique.
So just how do you launch a brand-new boutique?
“You have to believe in yourself to sell something,” said owner Corrie Ismaili.
She also gets up early: 6 a.m. “I have three kids to get out the door before I can get to the store,” she said. “I like to go in early and take care of paperwork.”
Knows her priorities: “I eat a salad for lunch. That way I can eat a cookie with my afternoon Starbucks!”
And knows how to de-stress: “I have three active kids and a business; stress is my middle name. A glass of wine and a movie with my husband works. He grounds me when I need it most.”
Adore Designer Resale Boutique
WORTH WATCHING: Best supporting roles in the Maggy Awards go to Adore Designer Resale Boutique, earning honorable mention honors for Best Shoes & Accessories and Best Adult Clothing, and Pink Magnolia, which opened last fall and already claims HM in Best Shoes & Accessories, Best Adult Clothing and Best New Business.
- Best Restaurants
- Best Services
- Best Shopping
- Announcing the 2016 MAGGY AWARDS
- Best Lifestyle
- Go Get It: Life advice from our Maggy winners
- Car Care: Tips for Anyone
- 3 Cures for Cabin Fever
- Use Your Imagination
- Dreamfest 2016
- Sweet Wintersweet
- Choice Charities
- Exclusive Dish: The Mason Jar Tavern’s S’more in a Jar
- Restaurant Row: Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
