Cheers to three years of local empowerment. | Photos provided by Merz Aesthetics
Is there anything more rewardingthan locals helping locals?
Last week, Merz Aesthetics® and Dress for Success of the Triangle came together once again to unite the community around a shared mission: empowering Raleigh women.
Through this collaborative National Mentoring Day Event, 42 mentees worked with local mentors to access resources and networking opportunities designed to support career growth.
Here’s an inside look at the highlights:
🌱 Growing together
The one-day event focused on equipping women with essential tools and resources to accelerate their success in the professional world. Initiatives included:
Flash Mentoring | Mentees participated in on-site mentorship sessions, engaging in mock interviews and receiving resume reviews from over 45 expert mentors from Merz Aesthetics and 13 local companies.
Close-Ups | Mentees also had the opportunity to take high-quality headshots with three professional photographers.
Motivation, Education, Inspiration | Author and Entrepreneur Erica Rooney gave a powerful keynote speech on shattering limiting beliefs and toxic behaviors to uncover infinite possibilities.
🏆 A story of success stories
Merz Aesthetics and Dress for Success of the Triangle have been teaming up to help empower local women for three straight years — and their partnership gets more impactful each time.
Merz Aesthetics kicked off the collab in 2022 with the launch of the mobile ‘Confidence Boutique,’ which collects donations of professional attire. Psst... It’s served more than 1,600 clients in the two years since.
And, after growing again in 2023, this year’s event served nearly double the total number of mentees.
Keep reading to hear what women from the October event had to say about the experience, or explore upcoming events + volunteer opportunities with Dress for Success of the Triangle.
Community & Cocktails | 7-9 p.m. | The Willard Rooftop Lounge | Price of purchase | Gather with your community and relax with a bev in an empowering environment.
Thursday, Nov. 21
Village District Holiday Open House | 5-8 p.m. | Village District Shopping Center | Free | Celebrate the start of the holiday season with a free evening of seasonal festivities, including holiday carolers, hot cocoa, photos with Santa, shopping + more.*
5+ holiday events straight from a Hallmark special
Presented by Visit New Bern
New Bern during the holidays is truly a sight to see. | Photos provided by Visit New Bern
Downtown New Bern is transforming once again into a month-long winter wonderland of festive decor, glittering lights, and Hallmark-worthy holiday events.
In addition to seasonal shopping + delectable dining, we’ve got our eyes on:
Light Up the Season: Tree Lighting + Santa’s Arrival | Friday, Nov. 29
Veterans Day, a federal holiday commemorating people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Expect various closures related to the holiday, and help honor our military personnel by attending an observance event in the Triangle or visit the memorial belltower at the NC Museum of History. (ABC 11)
Development
Omni Hotels & Resorts will build a 27-story, 550-room hotel in downtown, with plans to open in 2027. Raleigh’s City Council is willing to commit upwards of $75 million toward its infrastructure. The hotel will feature extensive amenities, including restaurants, bars, meeting spaces, a rooftop pool, and a grand ballroom. (Triangle Business Journal)
Open
A new free exhibit, Centuries in the Making: A Cultural Legacy of South Park and East Raleigh Neighborhoods, is now open at the John P. “Top” Greene Community Center. The exhibit highlights African American contributions to Raleigh, focusing on Black Main Street, historic schools, churches, and cemeteries.
Arts
Local artist Lidia Churakova completed a new mural, The Lines that Connect Us, on Wilmington Street as part of a pedestrian safety project. Located near the GoRaleigh Station crosswalk, the mural incorporates topographic lines symbolizing the diverse, interconnected community of downtown Raleigh.
Cause
Carroll’s Kitchen, a nonprofit restaurant dedicated to helping women in crisis, has secured an expansion through Highwoods Properties. This growth will enable the organization to double the number of women it serves each year and enhance its community impact, furthering its mission to provide sustainable employment and support. (WRAL)
Health
This innovative device is changing the game of hearing aids. Its dual-processing systems separate speech from background noise, ensuring you never miss a beat. (Bonus: They’re rechargeable, comfortable, nearly invisible, and app-controlled.) Claim your free consultation.*
Real Estate
Cozy up in a new townhome this holiday season at Mews at Holding Village. Enjoy scenic green spaces, open-concept layouts, and easy access to local favorites. Tour a model home on Saturday, Nov. 16.*
Category
Eat
🌱 Poole’s enters a new era
A new era of Poole’s has entered the chat. | Photos by Jeff Bramwell
A hearty hooray is in order. Poole’s Diner has expanded to the former Pool’side Pies space with a reimagined dining room and all the same eats you know + love.
Poole’s aims to continue delivering the creative, comfort-focused cuisine that has made it a local favorite.
In 2019, Christensen expanded the Poole’s brand with Poole’side Pies, a neighboring pizzeria offering wood-fired pizzas + inventive dishes like the pickle juice Caesar.
In late 2023, Poole’side Pies closed its doors, and chef Ashley Christensen said a new concept would come in its place. Earlier this year, Poole’s announced plans to expand its dining room while temporarily closing the original space for renovations.
We’re looking forward to seeing the classic photo of long-time servers Dot + Freida and tasting the NC blue crab doughnuts. Pro tip: Make a reservation, this spot is almost always busy.
The Buy
The Buy
Your favorite Nordstrom item on sale, since the store’s limited-time fall sale ends tonight. We’re seeing: discounts on cashmere sweaters, leather loafers, and crisp white fashion sneakers.
Have you heard? The newest Crawford Brothers restaurant is near completion in Cary’s Fenton mixed-use development. The new upscale spot will specialize in house dry-aged beef, feature an extensive wine program, and a cocktail bar among some of it’s cool features.
