Peace of mind. It’s what any parent seeking childcare wants.

And it’s peace of mind that Brian and Melissa Mart found at daughter Payton’s local Primrose School that led them to start a school of their own. Veranda is proud to feature such a premier childcare facility and to have Brian and Melissa as one of the first tenants to open here. Here’s their story…

Impressed with Payton’s growth, Primrose’s Balanced Learning® curriculum and the enthusiastic community impact of the school, the Marts felt ready to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. Embracing their relevant educational skills, learned in corporate careers and with extensive volunteer work, Brian and Melissa are confident in and excited about their new endeavor.

“Melissa and I knew that starting a Primrose school in our community would be an opportunity to do something we are passionate about while providing premier early education and care for local families,” said Brian. And they knew locating near Briar Chapel and Chapel Hill would be the perfect fit. “Briar Chapel was the perfect neighborhood to live, work and play.” said Brian. “We knew it was the right place the minute we drove in.”

Brian and Melissa have long been passionate about serving children and community. Brian has coached, volunteered on behalf of children and offered in-home education to children during his medical sales and training career. Melissa has served as a Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentor, created a “Be Cool, Stay in School” program for elementary students and delivered education programs to medical and pharmaceutical companies.

David Sadeghi isn’t afraid of putting a peanut butter burger on the menu. Why? Because he loves what he does and likes to come up with crazy antics to keep his staff and customers inspired!

David moved from Iran to the United States when he was 16 years old. Having spent his adult life in the hospitality business, David moved to Chapel Hill to work at Governor’s Club in 1994. He joined Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in 2000 for 11 years until he began his own hospitality company, My Farina Hospitality, LLC.

From now until January, THBB-BC serves dinner and is open nightly. Starting in February, it will also serve lunch on Friday and Saturday and will be open for lunch Thursday – Sunday from March to October. The restaurant consistently delivers local and national craft beer. This location serves an expanded menu, so you can order not only their famous burgers, but also specials like waffle fry nachos, crab cake tots, salmon tacos and a chicken gyro wrap.

Having lived in Chapel Hill for over 20 years, David loves the northern Chatham County location of Veranda. He had previously worked with the Eco Group team, so it made good sense to open a sister restaurant to the Durham Town Hall Burger and Beer in Veranda. David’s excited about the area’s recent growth. David’s company currently operates five restaurants.

When Breakaway Café owners Andy Pignatora and Amy Coughlin met while working at a Buffalo, NY coffee shop, they didn’t know then they would one day open up their own café. In fact, Amy traveled to Africa and then Vermont before settling down together with Andy in Boston, MA. But what they did share was a love of the outdoors, biking and community.

The Breakaway concept was birthed in 2008 during a 7-day bike ride trip in Oregon with Amy’s Dad and a mere 2,000 other people. It was a mobile community centered around bikes, healthy food and great drinks. Everything about the experience resonated with Andy and Amy.

When the couple moved to North Carolina five years ago, and then to the Briar Chapel neighborhood, they knew it was the perfect locale for the Breakaway concept to blossom—with phenomenal trails and biking roads right outside their door. Andy and Amy’s goal? To create a community-centric space serving up healthy foods, craft drinks and a love of biking. And they have done just that.

When two people share a genuine desire to help people feel better, they should partner. And that’s what happened with Medical Director Craig Stevens and Family Nurse Practitioner Kristy Su. They partnered together to open Carolina Convenient Care (CCC), a modern urgent care facility in Veranda.

Both Craig and Kristy love what they do and wanted to bring that passion to this northern Chatham County community, an area that was in need of urgent care services.

When two people share a genuine desire to help people feel better, they should partner. And that’s what happened with Medical Director Craig Stevens and Family Nurse Practitioner Kristy Su. They partnered together to open Carolina Convenient Care (CCC), a modern urgent care facility in Veranda.

Both Craig and Kristy love what they do and wanted to bring that passion to this northern Chatham County community, an area that was in need of urgent care services.

Construction is moving at a fast clip at Veranda. Buildings 1, 2, 3, and 4 are well underway. All four buildings have utilities, concrete foundations, structural masonry, structural steel and under-slab plumbing. Concrete slabs and architectural masonry for Buildings 1, 2, 3 and 4 are in progress. HVAC equipment and HVAC ductwork is now being installed as well. Buildings 1 and 2 are definitely the farthest along: the carpentry, roofing, framing and above-slab plumbing are in progress. Check back for updates as we continue to work towards our tenant openings!

So much has happened and continues to happen at Veranda since our last post. The buildings are taking shape, and some tenants are opening doors.

Brian Mart opened The Primrose School of Chapel Hill at Briar Chapel in August, and Dr. Chris Adigun of Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill started seeing patients last week. We anticipate Chef Cox’s Alberello Cafe and Dr. Baker’s Parkway Family Dentistry to welcome customers very soon as well.

Folks are starting to gather at Veranda… More updates to come!

For Dr. Chris Adigun, moving back to North Carolina from New York, just made sense. Born in Greensboro and educated at UNC’s Medical School and in residency, Chris has long held the area in high esteem. When New York’s fast-paced lifestyle left Chris and her husband wanting something different for their children (currently three kids, with one on the way), Chapel Hill was the perfect fit.

After finishing her residency at New York University (NYU), Chris stayed on faculty at NYU for several years. She believes there is no better training than building a practice in the competitive environment of NYC—there, a tradition of excellence was engrained in her, and she set the standards for herself and the kind of care she delivers to patients.

She has brought that superior level of service to her new practice, The Dermatology and Laser Center of Chapel Hill (DLC), recently opened in Veranda.

Personally invested in each new customer, Chris says, “It was in my heart to open my own practice. I live by the philosophy to treat every person how you want to be treated.” This motto ensures her clients have a positive and thorough experience at her clinic. DLC offers general and cosmetic dermatology services as well as sells performance products, like high-quality skincare and sunscreen. Chris’s academic speciality is nail disorders.