|
|
Welcome to the K - Commerce Chronicle! This newsletter will be your go-to source for the latest updates and events in the Knightdale business community. Stay informed about upcoming town events, collaborations with local community partners, and inspiring success stories from fellow businesses. We also celebrate grand openings and milestones, ensuring you never miss a moment of Knightdale’s vibrant business scene. Join us in fostering a thriving local economy and stay connected with your business neighbors!
 |
Caribbean Kicker is a true Knightdale success story. What began as a food truck eight years ago has grown into a beloved local restaurant and community favorite. Owned and operated by Shamika and Richard, Caribbean Kicker has built its reputation on delicious Caribbean fusion cuisine, exceptional customer service, and a commitment to treating every customer like family.
Specializing in bold island flavors with a soulful twist, Caribbean Kicker is best known for its jerk bowls, egg rolls, and refreshing specialty lemonades. Every dish is prepared with care, and that dedication shines through in both the quality of the food and the welcoming atmosphere guests experience from the moment they walk through the door.
Community has always been at the heart of Caribbean Kicker's mission. Shamika and Richard have used food as a way to bring people together, creating a place where customers feel like family. Their impact extends beyond their restaurant, with participation in major events such as the Dreamville Festival and aspirations to bring their flavors to the North Carolina State Fair in the future.
When asked what a first-time visitor should try, Shamika recommends the fan-favorite jerk chicken bowl or jerk chicken quesadilla. For those looking for something a little more familiar, the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls are a crowd-pleasing choice that perfectly showcases Caribbean Kicker's unique fusion style.
Caribbean Kicker also holds a special place in Knightdale's business community as a LaunchKnightdale alumni, demonstrating the success that can come from local entrepreneurship and community support.
Whether you're stopping by for lunch or dinner, Caribbean Kicker offers a memorable dining experience filled with amazing food, warm hospitality, and vibrant flavors. If you haven't visited yet, now is the perfect time to discover why Caribbean Kicker has become one of Knightdale's favorite local restaurants. You can find them at:
Caribbean Kicker
Knightdale Crossing Shopping Center
1011 N Smithfield Rd
Knightdale, NC 27545
(919) 626-4782
|
|
|
Attention Local Businesses! Are you part of our community? Don’t miss the chance to be listed in the Knightdale Business Directory!
Why should you join? This is a great opportunity to boost your business presence, connect with local customers, and network with other community businesses in the Knightdale area.
Register your business today at KnightdaleBusinesses.com!
|
|
 On Wednesday, June 24th, Mayor Jessica Day, members of the Knightdale Town Council, and staff came together with the community to celebrate the grand opening of Barnes & Noble right here in Knightdale! The event marked an exciting milestone for the town, drawing residents, local leaders, and book lovers of all ages to welcome this highly anticipated addition to our growing retail landscape.
Attendees had the opportunity to explore the new store, meet the friendly staff, and enjoy the inviting atmosphere that Barnes & Noble is known for, complete with a wide selection of books, gifts, and a cozy space for readers to gather. The celebration included a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, remarks from Mayor Jessica Day, and a shared sense of pride in Knightdale's continued growth and investment.
This opening represents more than just a new bookstore, it reflects the town’s ongoing commitment to creating vibrant spaces where community members can connect, learn, and thrive. As Knightdale continues to expand, bringing in businesses that enhance quality of life remains a top priority, and Barnes & Noble is a welcome addition to that vision.
Residents are encouraged to stop by, support the new store, and experience everything it has to offer, from bestselling titles to community events and everything in between. The new store is located at:
Barnes & Noble
Knightdale Marketplace
1012 Shoppes At Midway Dr
Knightdale, NC 27545
(919) 525-2346
Knightdale is always happy to celebrate the opening of a new business in our town. If your business is considering a ribbon-cutting event, we would love to help! Contact us and share the details using the link below.
|
|
Knightdale turns 100 on March 7, 2027 and as Knightdale prepares to celebrate 100 years of community, connection, and growth, residents and businesses are invited to help tell the story of our town. Whether you have a cherished memory to share, a creative business promotion in mind, or a story to tell at an upcoming community event, there are several exciting ways to get involved in the Centennial celebration.
1. Share Your Knightdale Story
Every resident has a unique connection to Knightdale, and we want to hear yours. Community members are invited to submit photos, stories, memories, and historical items through the Town’s online Centennial Story Collection form.
Whether it's a favorite childhood memory, a family photograph, a community milestone, or a story about a special place in town, your contribution can help preserve Knightdale's history for future generations.
Selected submissions may be featured on the Town’s Centennial website, social media channels, or other commemorative materials throughout the celebration year.
2. Businesses: Showcase Your Creativity
Knightdale businesses are encouraged to join the Centennial celebration by creating a special Centennial-themed offering for customers.
Ideas include:
- Centennial-inspired food or beverage specials
- Limited-edition retail products
- Special promotions or discounts
- Fitness or wellness challenges
- Community engagement activities
- Creative experiences that celebrate Knightdale's history and spirit
This is a unique opportunity to showcase your business while connecting with residents and visitors in a meaningful and memorable way. Participating businesses will help bring the Centennial celebration to life while highlighting the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that make Knightdale special.
Help Us Celebrate 100 Years
Knightdale's Centennial is more than a milestone—it's a celebration of the people, businesses, traditions, and memories that have shaped our community over the past century. We invite everyone to participate and help make this historic occasion one to remember.
Together, let's celebrate 100 years of Knightdale and create memories that will inspire the next 100 years.
|
|
 |
The annual African American Festival once again brought energy, culture, and community spirit to Knightdale, delivering a vibrant and memorable celebration for residents of all ages. This year’s event was a true reflection of unity and heritage, offering an engaging, family-friendly atmosphere filled with music, inspiration, and cultural pride.
A highlight of the festival was Mayor Jessica Day’s reading of the Town of Knightdale’s Juneteenth Proclamation, recognizing the significance of the holiday and honoring the history, resilience, and contributions of African Americans. The moment served as a meaningful reminder of the importance of reflection, education, and continued progress.
The stage came alive throughout the event with outstanding performances from a talented lineup of artists, including Elle Varner, Shorty Corleone, Klaxton Brown, and the Spade Music Group. Each performance added its own unique energy, keeping the crowd engaged and celebrating through music that brought people together.
Families, friends, and visitors enjoyed a welcoming environment filled with entertainment, connection, and cultural expression. From live performances to shared moments of celebration, the African American Festival continues to be a cornerstone event that showcases the diversity and vibrancy of the Knightdale community.
This month we a proud to host the art of Alison Charchar in Town Hall as our featured Artist of the Month!
Alison Charchar is an artist that explores abstract and figurative forms in bold color, often in an impressionist style. She studied painting at Pratt Institute (BFA 2002) and has worked as an artist and art therapist for over 20 years. She is inspired by art as a means of healing, expressing what words often cannot, and connection with others and the world.
Allison has recently been inspired by trees and the natural landscapes of NC. She works in many different media, but mainly in oil or acrylic paint. She recently had a solo show at Wake Med North Hospital, and has participated in group shows at Pullen Art Center, Artspace in downtown Raleigh, Carolina Art Show in Wilmington, Wilson Art Center, Carrboro Arts Center, Orange County Arts Commission, UpMarket Gallery in Asheville, and others across NC. She was featured in the spring 2024 issue of 27587 Magazine in the “Portrait of an Artist” section, and her work has appeared in two issues of The Wake Forest Review.
Allison often sells her artwork in art shows and art markets around Raleigh, Durham and Wake Forest, and she maintains a booth on the gallery side of The Cotton Company in downtown Wake Forest. We are grateful that she shared her work with our town and invite the public to visit Town Hall to enjoy it, as well!
Sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming Arts & Education Festival are now open, offering local businesses a meaningful way to invest in the future of Knightdale. This event celebrates creativity, learning, and community while highlighting the importance of education in shaping the next generation of leaders. By becoming a sponsor, businesses not only gain valuable visibility but also play a direct role in supporting opportunities for students and families across our community.
If your business is looking to make an impact, this is the perfect chance to demonstrate your commitment to education and community growth. Join us in empowering the next generation and helping make this year’s festival a success.
If you have any questions, please contact Joshua Padgett at joshua.padgett@knightdalenc.gov or (919) 217-2206.
Social media continues to be one of the most powerful tools available to businesses, but navigating changing platforms, content trends, and marketing strategies can be challenging. That's why we're excited to host an upcoming Social Media Workshop designed specifically for local businesses looking to strengthen their online presence and connect more effectively with customers.
Before we finalize the agenda, we want to hear from you.
Take our short Social Media Workshop Poll and let us know what topics matter most to your business. Whether you're interested in creating engaging content, growing your audience, advertising on social media, using video, measuring results, or learning about emerging trends, your feedback will help shape the discussion and ensure the workshop delivers practical, relevant insights.
This is your opportunity to influence the content of the session and make sure we're addressing the challenges and opportunities that matter most to our local business community.
Keep an eye out for additional workshop details, including the date, location, speakers, and registration information, which will be announced soon.
Your input matters so please take a few moments to complete the poll and help us create a workshop that meets your needs.
We look forward to learning from you and seeing you at the workshop!
As summer heat intensifies, Wake County’s Cool for Wake Program is helping vulnerable residents stay safe by providing fans and air conditioning units to those without working cooling systems.
While fans are available at Regional Centers, the greatest need right now is for air conditioning units. Currently, 78 households—including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with young children—are on a waiting list. Due to high demand, new AC requests are temporarily paused.
How You Can Help
Businesses and community partners can support the program by:
-
Donating funds to purchase AC units for local residents
-
Donating new window AC units, delivered to a Regional Center for distribution
A single unit can make a life-saving difference during extreme heat.
Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our community. Learn more at the link below.
 Small businesses have been the backbone of America’s journey since 1776, driving growth, innovation, and opportunity in every community.
To honor our nation’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Small Business Administration recently launched the Freedom 250 Small Business Pledge.
When you take the pledge, you will:
- Get an official, printable Freedom 250 SBA certificate for your business
- Gain recognition as a partner in America’s 250th anniversary
- Join a nationwide network of small business owners supporting free enterprise
- Proudly display your commitment to job creation and community innovation
Looking for the freshest flavors of summer? Be sure to stop by Pope Farms Produce Stand, a local favorite offering a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables grown right here in our community.
From vine-ripened tomatoes and sweet corn to refreshing watermelon and other summer favorites, Pope Farms provides residents with access to fresh, high-quality produce while supporting local agriculture. Shopping local not only helps keep dollars in our community, but also supports the hardworking farmers who help make Knightdale a great place to live and work.
They are located at 1008 Bethlehem Road, Knightdale, NC, United States, 27545 so stop by and check them out.
|
|
The Knightdale Commerce Alliance is excited to invite local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and subject‑matter experts to partner with us in offering workshops for the Knightdale business community. Our goal is simple: to build a stronger, more connected local economy through collaboration, shared knowledge, and meaningful partnerships.
If you have expertise to share—whether in marketing, finance, leadership, customer service, operations, or any topic that could benefit fellow businesses—we’d love to work with you.
As part of this partnership, the Knightdale Commerce Alliance will provide:
-
Meeting space for your workshop
-
Light refreshments for attendees
-
Marketing support to help promote your session to the local business community
All we ask is your passion, your knowledge, and your commitment to helping fellow business owners grow and succeed.
If you're interested in hosting a workshop or want to learn more about how to get involved, check out the link below.
|
|
|
|
|
