You name it, Downtown Cary likely has it.
From upscale dining to sandwiches and snacks, there is something for everyone in our corner of the world here. If you’re looking for a cold sweet treat, you’re in luck; let’s meet a few of Downtown Cary’s spots for just the thing!
Ashworth Drugs and Soda Fountain
The more things change, the more they stay the same. That’s the case over at Ashworth Drugs, a full-service pharmacy, shop, and old-school soda fountain that was founded back in 1957. This place is classic!
If you’ve stopped in at Ashworth you know you’ll be greeted (more times than not) by Al Badger, who with his team behind the counter are serving up the classics.
“When people come in for the first time they’re like, wow an old fashioned soda fountain,” says Al.
“Our goal is to appeal to the good-old days and hit that nostalgia button, you know harken back to the days when everyone knew each other. We have that here, a place to meet-and-greet and see a friendly face while getting lunch or a sweet treat,” says Paul Ashworth.
On the sweet treat menu are the classics including ice cream, shakes, ice cream sodas and the always refreshing organeade. That orangeade, which we enjoyed on our trip at the fountain, is made with fresh-squeezed oranges and sugar water — it’s as good as it looks!
“We have a lot of regular customers who eat here every day, and have been doing so for 30, 40 years. It’s also the place you can come in for the first time and see someone you know,” adds Paul, who says he’s like a broken record at the counter, hotdogs on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and sandwiches on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Go see a friendly face over at Ashworth Drug and Soda Fountain on the corner of Chatam and Academy.
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FRESH. Local Ice Cream
From their iconic green paint, ice cream truck, and spot in the heart of downtown, odds are you’ve stopped-in at FRESH. Local Ice Cream for a sweet treat.
“We’ve been in Cary since 2015 and loving every minute of it,” says Jason Hillman, a Cary native and owner of FRESH.
“It all started back in 2011 with the Raleigh store (FRESH now has locations in Raleigh, Cary and Apex). My father was always in the ice cream business and he decided to start making his own. He found a farmer over in Dunn and together they made a cream to make ice cream,” adds Jason who says his favorite item at FRESH is when they team up with Mike’s Honey Bees out of Raleigh for the honey and sea salt ice cream.
Every month the team at FRESH is churning out more than just the classics, they work really hard to partner up with local and statewide businesses to create collaboration flavors, like August’s Cheerwine ice cream.
If you’re grabbing a scoop, cone or shake, odds are the ice cream you’re eating is as fresh as it gets.
“We make our ice cream every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and so most of our customers are enjoying ice cream that was made the day before,” says Jason.
Go check them out over at 138 E. Chatham Street, and if you want another insider tip get a scoop of peanut butter with a scoop of banana pudding on top for the classic “Elvis” scoop or cone.
COMING SOON: Geluna Gelato
It’s been busy at The Center, the shops at East Chatham Street where Taipei 101 calls home. The newest residents include DiFara Pizza and Hank’s Downtown Dive.
The team at Geluna Gelato says they’re excited about the location at 111 E. Chatham and bringing what they have to offer to Downtown Cary. According to their website, they make their gelato the artisanal Italian way—fresh daily in small batches with local milk and cream.
Stay tuned for more, but know that more sweet treats are coming your way very soon.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE THAT DOWNTOWN CARY HAS TO OFFER FOR A BITE, DRINK OR TREAT