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Greater Fayetteville Business Journal - Aug. 21, 2026 issue

Page 1

Profile Meet the husband-and-wife team behind some Fayetteville favorites Page 11

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026 Vol. 6, No. 6

$2.00

bizfayetteville.com

WEB EXCLUSIVE

SPECIAL FOCUS

Restaurant

DYNAMIC DUOS

Kwon’s Kitchen serves up a fresh take on Korean-American cuisine bizfayetteville.com

Hospitality

Business duo operates event venue in downtown Fayetteville Page 10

Commercial Real Estate Hoke County opens new 145,000-square-foot school Page 13

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

Brad and Kelley McLawhorn became business partners in 2001 when they first opened a restaurant on Reilly Road. Now, their highly praised catering company continues to impress community members with flexibility, quality and personalized service.

NOW

CATERING FROM

THE HEART B

rad and Kelley McLawhorn, Family-owned owners of Two Brothers Cagrew up in a family that Two Brothers believedtering, in hard work and entrepreTheir father encouraged Catering keeps neurship. them early on, and as kids, they ran own lawn care business. community their“Kelley and I– we grew up as hearts and entrepreneurs. Our father really us to be entrepreneurs when stomachs full pushed we were young kids. We had our

Index Economic Indicators............................... 3 Publisher’s Note ..................................... 4 Business Education................................ 5 Achievers................................................ 8 Hospitality............................................10 Profile...................................................11 Commercial Real Estate........................13 Biz Fayetteville......................................14 Biz Leads..............................................16 The List.................................................18

own lawn care business, and we had always had that entrepreneurial mindset of we’d rather work for ourselves than work for somebody else,” shared Brad.

>>

By Stephanie Meador

See CATERING, page 7


Page 2

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

Getting your business where you want to be is our mission. That means we’re ready to work with you to ensure your company gets up and running or to the next level quickly. Plus, we’re home to a lower cost of doing business, efficient infrastructure and a top-tier talent pipeline to help keep you growing for years to come. Sure, this sounds like a dream, but it’s not. This is Iowa. Minding your Business. Learn more about us at businessiowa.com.


Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

Page 3

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

bizfayetteville.com

JUNE UNEMPLOYMENT UNITED STATES JUNE 2026:

NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY FAYETTEVILLE MSA ROBESON COUNTY JUNE 2026: JUNE 2026: JUNE 2026: JUNE 2026:

4.4%

3.5%

4.4%

4.4%

4.8%

SAME AS JUNE 2025:

DOWN FROM JUNE 2025:

DOWN FROM JUNE 2025:

DOWN FROM JUNE 2025:

DOWN FROM JUNE 2025:

HARNETT COUNTY HOKE COUNTY JUNE 2026: JUNE 2026:

MOORE COUNTY JUNE 2026:

SAMPSON COUNTY RALEIGH MSA JUNE 2026: JUNE 2026:

3.8%

4.4%

3.2%

3.7%

3.1%

DOWN FROM JUNE 2025:

DOWN FROM JUNE 2025:

DOWN FROM JUNE 2025:

DOWN FROM JUNE 2025:

DOWN FROM JUNE 2025:

4.4%

4.1%

4.0%

4.7%

5.0%

5.0%

STATE SALES TAX COLLECTION JUNE 2026

$25,735,563

5.6%

4.2%

3.5%

JUNE STATE SALES AND USE TAX COLLECTION (CUMBERLAND COUNTY)

UP FROM STATE SALES TAX COLLECTION JUNE 2025

$25,183,568

3.4%

Source: N.C. Department of Commerce

YEAR TO DATE AVERAGE SALES PRICES

Source: NC Department of Revenue

LABOR FORCE JUNE 2026 BY INDUSTRY (FAYETTEVILLE MSA)

(SINGLE-FAMILY - NEW CONSTRUCTION, BY COUNTY)

OTHER SERVICES

$500,000

MANUFACTURING

4.2%

5.76% TRADE, TRANSPORTATION & UTILITIES

$400,000

GOVERNMENT

19.07%

30.74%

INFORMATION

$300,000

0.62% FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 3.04%

$200,000

$100,000

PROFESSIONAL & BUSINESS SERVICES

LEISURE & HOSPITALITY

10.51%

13.15%

EDUCATION & HEALTH SERVICES

0 Cumberland

Hoke

Harnett

Sampson

Robeson

Bladen

12.92%

Moore

Source: Longleaf Pine Association of REALTORS, Multiple Listing Service

Source: NC Department of Commerce

DAYS ON MARKET UNTIL SALE 120 (SINGLE-FAMILY - NEW CONSTRUCTION, FAYETTEVILLE)

2025 vs 2026 (June) FAYETTEVILLE MSA CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE

119

120

DAYS

200,000 LABOR FORCE

105

105

DAYS

DAYS

100

99

DAYS

100

101

150,000

152,888

147,849

106 DAYS

103

100,000

JUNE

2025

DAYS

JUNE

2026

DAYS

Jan. 2026

Feb. 2026

Mar. 2026

Apr. 2026

May 2026

Source: 80 Longleaf Pine Association of REALTORS, Multiple Listing Service

June 2026

July 2026

$3.56 AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON IN FAYETTEVILLE ON AUG. 17, 2025:

50,000 80

AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON FOR REGULAR UNLEADED IN FAYETTEVILLE ON AUG. 17, 2026:

$2.70

0 Source: N.C. Department of Commerce

Source: gasbuddy.com


Page 4

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

bizfayetteville.com

2504 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303 910-240-9697 bizfayetteville.com FOUNDER/OWNER Marty Cayton martyc@bizfayetteville.com PUBLISHER Faith Hatton faithh@bizfayetteville.com EDITOR Stephanie Meador stephaniem@bizfayetteville.com DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & SPECIAL PROJECTS Simone Johnson events@bizfayetteville.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stacie Borrello Kate Griffin Samantha Metheny Emily Ruth Perry Eddie Velazquez

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GFBJ

New restaurants, military news, and new partners in public education are some of the things I’ve gotten to cover to stay connected with our community.

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Samantha Lowe samanthal@bizfayetteville.com ACCOUNTING billing@bizfayetteville SALES & MARKETING marketing@bizfayetteville.com

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is published twice a month throughout Fayetteville and the Cumberland County region. News related to the region’s business sector is posted daily at bizfayetteville.com. SUBSCRIPTIONS Your free trial of Greater Fayetteville Business Journal is ending soon. To subscribe, call 910-240-9697 or visit bizfayetteville.com/ subscribe. Subscriptions cost $9.95 per month or $95 per year. REPRINT For article reprints, plaques and more contact Faith Hatton at 910-240-9697. ADVERTISING For advertising information, please email us at marketing@bizfayetteville.com or call 910-240-9697. © Copyright 2026 Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

A

Out & about

s I near my eighth month as publisher of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal, one thing I refuse to give up is going out into the community and covering stories. My team has done a great job of reeling me in so I can continue to focus on building sponsorships and partnerships; however, I can’t be cooped up in an office every day. In the past few months, I think I’ve done a good job of getting out and about, shaking hands, making new connections, providing coverage and, most importantly, continuing to support businesses by coming in not as a publisher or reporter, but as a customer willing to put my money where our coverage is. Way back when the idea of me becoming publisher was tossed out, I began to think about what kind of leader I would want to be. While I don’t quite think I'm a public figure in any way, I’d consider this to be a public-facing role. I decided a long time ago that I didn’t just want my name listed in the paper as publish-

er; I wanted to be involved in our community, meet business owners face to face and see for myself some of the great new things becoming available in and around Fayetteville. I’ve been recognized in the grocery store, out on assignment and even in a restaurant when I was coming in to pick up takeout. I’ve received the comment “Wow, you are everywhere,” from members of the community and I guess it’s true because in order for me to sell the Business Journal I want the community to know me, to know our brand and know that while yes, we are reporters, we aren’t there to highlight the negative, we’re here to be a source for good news, development and growth. I hope to keep that going as we continue to build our social media following, brand awareness, visibility and our impact in Cumberland and its six surrounding counties. We hope you enjoy this issue focusing on “Dynamic Duos” in our community. In this issue, we feature Two Brothers Catering (check the

cover), who you may recognize from our Power Breakfasts and from business events around the area. We also feature Brian and Staci Graybill, a husband-and-wife team working to explore the possibilities in downtown Fayetteville, and business partners Robert Savage and Andre Thomas, who have brought a new event venue experience to the community. I actually thought our Editor, Stephanie Meador, and I should have featured ourselves, as we both started at the Journal around the same time and the two of us have seen the Journal grow and change over the years. (I was overruled.) Maybe that will be a feature in the future.

Happy reading!

FAITH HATTON, Publisher 910-240-9697, Ext 104 • faithh@bizfayetteville.com


Greater Fayetteville Business Journal >>

By Eddie Velazquez

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

bizfayetteville.com

BUSINESS EDUCATION

Page 5

A commitment to future educators FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY UNVEILS STATE-OF-THE-ART COLLEGE OF EDUCATION BUILDING

U

niversity historians say the new Fayetteville State University College of Education building marks a new chapter in the university’s legacy as a pioneer in shaping a long lineage of educators. The university hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new College of Education building on Aug. 20, celebrating almost 150 years of tradition in developing the region’s educator workforce. The building cost $69.3 million and encompasses a total of 72,027 square feet. The facility’s four stories feature a blend of classrooms, conference rooms and faculty offices, resulting in over 30 dedicated learning and collaboration spaces and more than 60 private office spaces in the new building. “The new facility at our university is a testament to our commitment to high-quality educator preparation programs. It provides a vital resource for supporting students in today’s technology-driven world, featuring modern classrooms and cutting-edge facilities. Furthermore, the College of Education building is home to our FSU Reading Clinic, which offers tutoring services for children in the local community. This clinic plays a significant role in shaping future educators, as education students collaborate with faculty to provide valuable reading tutoring as part of their training,” shared Dr. Danielle Nesbitt, interim associate dean and associate professor at the College of Education. The new building is going to help continue the university’s rich tradition as a regional powerhouse in developing the workforce of the future, officials say. The university was founded in 1867 and is the second oldest public university in North Carolina. “Our school was primarily a teaching school,” said Nicholle Young St. Leone, an archives technician and African American studies researcher at FSU. In 1877, the school was selected by the state to be established and chartered as a public institution supported by the state for the instruction of African Americans. “It was basically another way of saying it’s a teachers’ college,” she noted.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FSU

Top: A rendering of the proposed College of Education building; this vision served as the blueprint for the completed building that now serves students. Bottom: The university celebrated the topping-off ceremony for the new College of Education building in April of 2025. Now, 16 months later, the space is welcoming students for the next academic year.

From there, into the 1900s, the university started venturing into other programming, like technical education that includes textile work and agriculture training. “But still, we never lost the identity of being primarily about teaching African Americans to be teachers,” Young St. Leone said. The university experienced significant booms after World War I and II, seeing U.S. Military members return to their homes looking for opportunities outside of their military service. Young St. Leone reflected on the legacy of Henry Wordsworth Ferguson, a local Veteran of World War II. “He actually said, ‘My aim is now to return to Fayetteville State Teachers College and become a teacher. It’s what I intend to do,’” Young St. Leone shared. “And so you have this wonderful history

of determined African Americans wanting to become teachers and essentially help with building communities within North Carolina, but also extending outwards into other states and other spaces.” The reach and the legacy of FSU as a prestigious institution that develops teachers is astounding, Young St. Leone said. “It is really incredible. We’ve had teachers form alumni associations as far away as New York City,” she added. In the 1990s, the College of Education took the next step forward in its evolution. In 1994, the university established its doctoral degree in educational leadership, eventually awarding its first degrees to the first program cohort in 1997. “That has carried all the way into the present day,” Young St. Leone said. “Since then we’ve had multiple

graduates, and so it’s very exciting to see us not only extend to essentially doctoral programs, but also looking into other important parts of education.” Some of those frontiers include different aspects of special education. “We really want to create new leaders and innovations in that field,” Young St. Leone said. “The building itself is essentially the backbone of the university. It’s really great to see that we are coming back to that and acknowledging that historically with this brand new building as part of the many renovations and programs that are being developed here at FSU.” For teachers of all types of practice, the new building will continue to amplify programs offered at FSU. The university already partners with schools around Cumberland County to offer real-world experience for aspiring teachers. “The development of a new College of Education building has long been an aspiration for our faculty and staff. The realization of this project is not only thrilling but also underscores FSU’s commitment to advancing educational excellence and meeting community needs. This state-of-the-art facility is poised to enhance our educational offerings and attract a broader pool of prospective students,” added Dr. Nesbitt. The long-living legacy of FSU into the future will be its innovation and commitment to producing the best teachers, she noted. “It’s really exciting to know that, on top of just being able to have this as its own separate building, you have all these specialties that are being able to be reinforced within it,” Young St. Leone said. “While you’re in there, you’re actually also learning while you’re kind of waiting for your classes, or you’re kind of just enjoying being in that building. There are going to be various wonderful designs and information being shown digitally, but also within the design of the building to really reinforce that you are a part of a very proud legacy as you come to school here at Fayetteville State University.”


Page 6

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

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Greater Fayetteville Business Journal >>

By Stephanie Meador

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

Page 7

PROFILE

bizfayetteville.com

From CATERING, page 1

As adults, they both ended up in managerial roles for different locations of the same pizza franchise. Their parents emboldened them to take the skills they’d learned and go into business together, and they did. In 2001, they opened Two Brothers Pizza on Reilly Road in Fayetteville, a pizza and Italian buffet restaurant. The brothers worked to grow the business by expanding their menu beyond pizza to include wings and pastas, starting delivery and building relationships with Fort Bragg chaplains, local hospitals, doctors’ offices and schools. “We both enjoyed cooking as we were growing up, and we never imagined us really owning a restaurant. Once we opened up the pizza restaurant, it’s amazing when times get hard, you learn to think outside the box and be creative. So Brad and myself are both self-taught chefs,” shared Kelley. In 2006, Brad and Kelley began offering catering services. They started out working pharmaceutical and corporate lunches, then expanded into weddings and military functions. By 2010, they’d become well connected within the community. “Even though it was a partnership between Kelley and myself, we collectively made decisions as a family [about] what would be the best direction to help grow our business, and we’ve always been passionate about what we do, whether it was in the pizza and Italian restaurant or our catering business, and I think that’s what really sets us apart from a lot of our competitors, especially in the catering business, is our passion and our attention to detail,” added Brad. As catering demand grew, it eventually took precedence over the restaurant. In 2013, they closed the pizza restaurant to focus solely on catering. In 2017, the brothers purchased a former bingo hall off of Owen Drive and transformed it into The Vine Event Venue. Over the next two years, they built out a full commercial kitchen and, in 2019, moved all catering operations there, making The Vine their home base. “In the beginning, it took a lot of growing and getting to know each other again because Brad’s four and a half years older than I am. But

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TWO BROTHERS CATERING

Want to try Two Brothers Catering? Grab your ticket to the next Power Breakfast on Sept. 29, where they’ll be serving up a delicious breakfast to complement a morning of business insights.

I’d say after the first five years of having to really buckle up and work real hard…me and Brad, we became best friends and we just really gave it everything that we have, and we’re still best friends today,” shared Kelley. Today, Two Brothers Catering is a full-service, upscale catering company known for its attention to detail and fine-dining experience, whether they’re serving weddings, military balls, corporate galas or community events. In addition to The Vine Event Venue, they also manage the event space at Gates Four Golf & Country Club, handling bookings and events ranging from weddings and military functions to birthdays and quinceañeras. “At Gates Four, we’ve actually got multiple event spaces. So we’ve got the indoor, main ballroom. We’ve got a smaller room that’s indoors called the Riddle Room. The ballroom can seat up to 250 people. The Riddle Room’s max capacity for

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TWO BROTHERS CATERING

Two Brothers Catering excels in largescale plated service, successfully executing elegant dinners for up to 800 guests, supported by professional-grade equipment and a highly organized team.

seating is about 50 people. And then we also have the outdoor pavilion, which we can seat up to about 300 people,” explained Brad. Two Brothers Catering distinguishes itself through a generous tasting experience, inviting clients to sample complete plates and often sending them home with multiple to-go boxes, all prepared with the care of a family meal. The team also guarantees that an owner will be present for weddings, a hands-on touch that not every business offers. Beyond weddings, the company excels in large-scale plated service, successfully executing elegant dinners for up to 800 guests, supported by professional-grade equipment and a highly organized team.

“Not only do we think we have great food, but we try to give a wonderful experience. We try to give our clients the feeling of being in a fine dining restaurant wherever we go,” shared Kelley. Their creativity shines in custom themed menus, from French and Cuban spreads to 1920s Great Gatsby–inspired dishes, and now in a new “Taste of Thailand” menu concept. Coupled with multi-year recognition in local awards and strong partnerships with community institutions, Two Brothers Catering has become a trusted name for both unforgettable flavor and flawless execution. Through every phase of their business, Brad and Kelley have stayed grounded in the same principles: faith, family, resilience and service. The greatest blessing of the business, they say, isn’t just its growth, but that it allowed them to remain close to home, grow stronger as brothers and spend extra time with their parents. With venues in Fayetteville, Two Brothers Catering offers catering and bartending services within an approximately one-hour radius of their home base. For more information, check out their website: www.twobrotherscateringnc.com.


Page 8

ACHIEVERS NCMBC welcomes Katharine Lopez The NC Military Business Center (NCMBC), a statewide business development and technology transition entity of the State of North Carolina and headquartered at Fayetteville Technical Community College, is pleased to announce that KATHARINE LOPEZ joined the organization in August 2026. Lopez will coordinate all administrative and logistical support to the NCMBC team statewide. In this role, Lopez will assist in coordinating purchasLopez ing, travel, property control, supply management, print production and statewide events. She will also assist the executive director and director of operations in the planning and organization of webinars, seminars, events and other activities of the NCMBC. Lopez holds a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Management Information Systems from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Prior to joining the team, Lopez worked for the Department of Defense as a federal contractor and civilian employee. She has experience working in finance, human resources and military personnel management. “Ms. Lopez brings a wealth of experience and administrative and logistical talent to the NCMBC,” said Executive Director of the NCMBC Scott Dorney in a press release. “With 17 offices and 22 staff members statewide, the NCMBC needs an employee with Ms. Lopez’s skills and experience to effectively support NCMBC personnel and federal contractors across the state of North Carolina.”

TRP Sumner PLLC Partner Jason Poole appointed to North Carolina State Lottery Commission ROBERT “JASON” POOLE, CPA, CGMA, has been appointed by North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek to serve on the North Carolina State Lottery Commission. Poole brings more than 24 years of experience in public accounting and advisory services, helping businesses, families, nonprofit organizations and governmental entities across North Carolina make

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

bizfayetteville.com

What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight.

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments. To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.” informed financial decisions and achieve long-term success. His appointment recognizes a distinguished career built on financial leadPoole ership, public trust and service to the people and institutions of North Carolina. “Public trust is built through transparency, accountability and responsible leadership. I am honored by the opportunity to serve on the North Carolina State Lottery Commission and contribute to its important work on behalf of our state,” remarked Jason Poole, CPA, CGMA, in a press release. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Poole has established a strong record of civic and professional leadership throughout the state. He currently serves on the East Carolina University Board of Trustees and served as Chair of the Board from July 2023 through June 2025, helping guide strategic initiatives and governance decisions for one of North Carolina’s leading public universities. Poole also serves on the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA) Board of Directors and is the current chair of the NCACPA Advocacy Committee. “Jason’s appointment reflects the leadership, integrity and commitment to service that have defined his career,” said Managing Partner at TRP Sumner PLLC Taylor Stephenson, CPA, CGMA, in a press release. “Whether serving clients, supporting higher education or advocating for the accounting profession, Jason has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to strengthening North Carolina’s communities and institutions. We are incredibly proud of this well-deserved recognition.” The North Carolina State Lottery

Commission oversees the operation of the North Carolina Education Lottery and helps ensure that lottery activities are conducted with integrity, accountability and transparency. Poole’s extensive financial expertise and governance experience position him well to support the commission’s mission and uphold the public trust.

Cape Fear Valley Health’s Dr. Kelly Van Fossen receives national award for excellence in surgical education KELLY VAN FOSSEN, D.O., program director of Cape Fear Valley Health’s General Surgery Residency Program, has received national recognition for her leadership and contributions to surgical education, earning the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons’ 2026 Guy D. Beaumont Jr., FACOS Award of Academic Excellence. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made a lasting impact on the advancement of osteopathic surgical education. “I am humbled to have been considered and incredibly honored to receive this award,” Van Fossen said in a press release. “I never expected to be recognized at this level for simply doing the work I care so deeply about. My focus remains on continuing to strengthen our General Surgery Residency Program, supporting our residents and serving the needs of our community.” Van Fossen joined Cape Fear Valley Health after completing her general surgery residency at Grandview Medical Center in 2009. Soon after arriving, she recognized an opportunity to expand medical education within the health system. In 2010, she was one of three

physicians who helped bring medical students from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and later Campbell University Van Fossen to Cape Fear Valley Health. In 2014, Van Fossen was selected to build Cape Fear Valley Health’s General Surgery Residency Program. She helped secure American Osteopathic Association accreditation in 2015 and later guided the program through the transition to Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accreditation in 2018. “Dr. Kelly Van Fossen is an extraordinary physician, educator and leader whose impact on Graduate Medical Education at Cape Fear Valley has been remarkable,” said Donald Maharty, M.D., vice president of Medical Education at Cape Fear Valley Health, in a press release. “As the inaugural program director of our General Surgery Residency Program, she built the program from the ground up, establishing a culture of clinical excellence, mentorship and service to our community. This award is a well-deserved recognition of her commitment to surgical education and developing the next generation of surgeons.” Today, Van Fossen is known for combining high expectations with a genuine personal investment in her residents. She often jokes that they are her “adult children” and is recognized for her ability to break down complex surgical concepts into practical, understandable steps. Her impact can also be seen in the physicians who have completed the program and chosen to continue practicing in the region. Several graduates have also returned after completing fellowships to help teach and lead within the General Surgery Residency Program, including Jenna Frietas, D.O., who advanced from resident to associate program director. “Perhaps the greatest testament to Dr. Van Fossen’s leadership is the lasting impact her graduates are having on our region,” Maharty added in a press release. “More than 70% of the surgeons who have graduated from the program have chosen to remain in Cumberland County and the surrounding area, caring for the community in which they trained. That is an extraordinary legacy and a powerful example of what Graduate Medical Education can accomplish.”


Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

Page 9


Page 10

HOSPITALITY

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

bizfayetteville.com

>>

By Faith Hatton

226 The Warehouse A SPACE DESIGNED FOR EVERY OCCASION

A

unique event venue has taken shape in the heart of downtown Fayetteville. 226 The Warehouse, located at 226 Donaldson St., gives the appearance of an ordinary brick building on the outside, but the inside has been transformed into an industrial-chic, thoughtfully curated space designed to host any kind of event. The venue was the creation of business partners and Co-owners Robert Savage and Andre Thomas. After reconnecting through the previous owner of the building, the two decided to acquire the historic Cotton Exchange building in 2023 and worked together to renovate the 8,000-square-foot space into a new venue that combines industrial charm with modern sophistication. “Andre and I, both of us are Veterans, and we met during our time in the Army. We have developed a close relationship over the years. I remember it was probably about eight or nine o’clock at night. All the vendors had left, and Mr. John Malzone, who was the owner of the building, gave us access to it. And I walked into the building, and the moment we walked in the building, I was like, ‘This is a perfect place for event space,’” recalled Savage. The two worked on the interior for more than a year to get the design just right. According to Savage and Thomas, bringing a historic building that was originally used as an antique mall into the 21st century was a challenge. “It was a massive undertaking. After the vendors left, we got a dump truck inside the building, and we loaded that dump truck literally from top to bottom, about 15 times…from there, we went to work demolishing and getting all the stuff out. The building was built in 1913, so it’s got some age on it, and so over the course of the time, just little by little, we stayed at it. We had some obstacles as we were building, but we just stayed committed to the process, and here we are,” shared Savage. “Everything that was original to the building that could be salvaged, we didn’t touch.” “When I tell you that was a very painful process because when we first walked in it, the number that we had in our head we were like, ‘Oh

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY 226 THE WAREHOUSE

The venue features two levels, two fully stocked bars, audio-video systems including projectors, and lighting solutions, an in-house culinary team, lounge space, a bistro section and private rooms, a state-of-the-art DJ booth and on-site staff to help plan a range of events.

wow, this shouldn’t be that much work,’ until you start to get down to the nitty-gritty and you start to break things down,” shared Thomas. “It took a lot of work on both our parts to ensure that we kept the project moving forward.” The duo opened their doors in November of 2024, and after almost two years in operation, the team at 226 The Warehouse has hosted events ranging from intimate gatherings with just 50 people to largescale events hitting the 333-person

PHOTO PROVIDED BY 226 THE WAREHOUSE

From left to right: John Malzone, former owner of the building, Coowner Andre Thomas and Co-owner Robert Savage, all pictured together during the soft opening of 226 The Warehouse.

capacity of the building. The venue features two levels, two fully stocked bars, audio-video systems including projectors, and lighting solutions, an in-house culinary team, lounge space, a bistro section and private rooms, a state-of-the-art DJ booth and on-site staff to help plan a range of events. The versatile space can accommodate every type of event, even as clients continue to explore the possibilities with every booking. “As we looked into the space, both of us kind of said, ‘What would we want if we could take a blank canvas?’ How would we design a space? And so we both agreed I would want a private room. I would want to have a place where I can have a relaxed area, which we have underneath the mezzanine. I would want to have a place where, if there’s a party, I can have a private area to have a conversation. So as we went into the design phase of this, it was all about what the customer is looking for,” shared Savage. “Each client has a unique way of shifting the building, and the building has such a dynamic flow to it. It’s just not built for one thing.” After two years in business together, both Savage and Thomas rely on their staff, families and each

other to keep the business running while also continuously curating a list of clients. “I tell people all the time, you find out a partnership and running a business is very similar to a marriage. It’s like you two are bound together legally. So you have to work through whatever issues to make sure that you continue to keep that union solid. We’ve been doing a pretty good job of that. Just having those conversations, sitting down, talking through things to make sure that we continue to keep moving forward,” shared Thomas.

To learn more about 226 The Warehouse, find them online at www.226thewarehousenc.com.


Greater Fayetteville Business Journal >>

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

PROFILE

bizfayetteville.com

By Stacie Borrello

Page 11

Fulfilling community needs F

FAYETTEVILLE DYNAMIC DUO BUILT THREE BUSINESSES ON A PASSION FOR FOOD AND COMMUNITY

or Fayetteville entrepreneurs Brian and Staci Graybill, building a business has often started when they were hit with a spark of inspiration on how to fill a missing need. Napkins, a Hope Mills restaurant specializing in locally sourced food, was the result of an offhand conversation Brian had while tending the bar at the same restaurant where he met his wife, Staci. “I would say, ‘If I was going to do a restaurant out there, these are the practices I would do, or this is how I would try to conceptualize it,’” Brian recalled. “At some point, they were like, ‘Well, why don't you do it?’” So they did. Then, a gap the couple noticed in downtown Fayetteville’s sandwich scene became their second business, Pan, on Hay Street. Finally, a chance encounter with a downtown visitor helped inspire their newest venture, Market Square Pantry. While the businesses have different identities, they share a common philosophy: quality products, local sourcing and a focus on building community. After workshopping the idea for a new restaurant concept with a few regular customers, Brian and Staci decided to take the chance on Napkins, their first business and Brian’s first experience owning a restaurant. Scrappy and resourceful, Brian and Staci purchased much of their first restaurant equipment at auctions and had an opening staff that consisted of Brian, Staci and a few friends. “We just kind of made it happen,” Brian said. The restaurant got off to a good start. Then, seven months after opening, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Like restaurants across the country, Napkins was effectively shut down except for takeout. For the couple, the timing could hardly have been worse, less than a year into their first business. The experience became their first major test as business owners. Fortunately, they had already developed a loyal base of regular customers in the Hope Mills and Gray’s Creek areas. Those customers continued patronizing the restaurant as much as they could during

PHOTO PROVIDED BY FAITH HATTON

Brian and Staci Graybill opened their third business together, Market Square Pantry, in December 2025.

the shutdown, helping the business survive. The restaurant also benefited from its location. At the time, there were relatively few other restaurant options in the Hope Mills area, making Napkins a convenient choice for nearby residents. For Brian and Staci, survival required significant personal sacrifices. “We were paying ourselves the bare minimum that we needed to just exist,” Brian said. Little by little, the business made it through the pandemic. As Napkins emerged on the other side, Brian began thinking about what might come next. By 2022, Napkins had an established team and was operating well enough that Brian said he began feeling “a little obsolete” in the restaurant, leaving him ready for his next challenge. An opportunity then arose to take over a space in Fayetteville’s historic downtown district at 105 Hay St., the former location of The Downtown Deli. Brian, who describes himself as a sandwich aficionado, believed Fayetteville’s restaurant scene was missing a particular kind of sandwich shop. “I felt like there was a hole in the type of sandwich that was being presented in our city,” he said. The couple took this as an op-

portunity to establish Pan, designed around many of the same principles that had helped Napkins succeed: scratch-made food, quality ingredients and attention to detail. The business has continued the couple’s formula of building a strong staff and cultivating relationships with customers. “It’s been a fun ride for that one so far, too,” Brian said. But moving downtown also gave the couple something they hadn’t had with Napkins: a chance to spend more time observing the neighborhood and thinking about what else it needed. That led the entrepreneurial duo to their third business. One day, while Brian and Staci were at Pan when the restaurant was closed, a man jogging through downtown stopped and knocked on the window. He had been running, got caught up in his route and ended up downtown. He wanted to know where he could buy a bottle of water. Brian gave him one. But the question stayed with him. There wasn’t really a corner store downtown where a visitor could simply grab a drink, a snack or a few basic items and continue exploring the district. “We thought, you know what? There’s not really much of a corner-

store-type option downtown,” Brian said. Unlike the restaurants which they had worked in before, Market Square Pantry was new territory for the couple, something they could build together from the beginning while learning alongside each other. They again relied on their resourcefulness to furnish the Pantry, sourcing furniture from closing businesses, Facebook Marketplace and repurposed furniture from home. While Brian leads the restaurants, Staci has taken the lead role in developing the Pantry. “It’s certainly been primarily her show here,” Brian said. “This place has her written all over it.” Staci describes their Market Square Pantry as a combination of a micro grocery store and unique gift shop. The store offers familiar grocery-type products, but with an emphasis on unique versions and products that customers may not find at a traditional supermarket. “Approximately 90% of the merchandise is sourced from small businesses,” she said. For Staci, learning the retail business has been an ongoing process. “Every day we’re learning more and more,” she said. Brian and Staci first met downtown in Fayetteville in 2009, more than a decade before they would open a business there together. The three businesses have allowed Brian and Staci to develop complementary roles as business partners. Through creatively meeting challenges, leveraging each of their strengths and building strong partnerships with staff, clients and vendors, their three businesses have flourished. What’s unique about this dynamic duo is they aren’t simply opening businesses because they see an opportunity to make money. They are paying attention to the places where they live and work — and asking what would make those places better. And when they identified something missing in the community, they built it. Three businesses later, the couple is still looking around Fayetteville and seeing possibilities.


Page 12

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

DAY DAY

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Greater Fayetteville Business Journal >>

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

bizfayetteville.com

By Stephanie Meador

Page 13

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

The total cost of the new school was $78 million, and it is roughly 145,000 square feet in size.

Building up the future HOKE COUNTY SCHOOLS CUTS RIBBON ON NEW HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING

O

n Aug. 6, Hoke County Schools held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building at Hoke County High School. “As the Chamber of Commerce, we know that one of the greatest investments a community can make is in its people, and this new high school is an investment in the future of Hoke County. To everyone who helped make this vision a reality, thank you for believing in our students and our community. And to the students who will fill these classrooms, remember this: while this building is beautiful, what will make it truly special is you,” shared Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce Board Member Desiree Chavez during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new Hoke County High School represents a transformational investment in the future of Hoke County students, families and the community. Designed to support innovative teaching and learning, the new campus provides modern, flexible spaces that prepare students for success in college, careers, military service and beyond. The total cost of the new school was $78 million, and it is roughly 145,000 square feet in size. Funding sources included the North Carolina Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund, the North Carolina

The new school building features:  A spacious student cafeteria  State-of-the-art science laboratories designed for hands-on learning  A new gymnasium to support athletics, physical education and events  Open, flexible learning spaces that encourage collaboration, creativity and student-centered instruction PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

Hoke County High School students will head to campus for their first day of classes on Aug. 24, 2026.

“....theseit’srural

communities that really need the new schools to train up the next generation.” — Ryan Parker Project Executive, Metcon

Education Lottery and local funding support from the County. The new school was designed by SfL+a Architects and constructed by Metcon Buildings & Construction in collaboration with J&K General Contractors. “I’ve been with Metcon for 16 years. The first K-12 school I built was right here in Hoke County – Sandy Grove Middle School, amazing school. We’ve gone on to build countless schools after that, but it’s really important to come back here to the Sandhills, where Metcon is from and where I live, and just see this amazing space because it’s these rural communities that really need the new schools to train up the next generation,” shared Ryan Parker, project executive at Metcon.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t celebrate all the great educators… This building is a place where your passion will continue to shape our lives and shape the lives of this community. Within these halls, keep in mind we want to have future leaders, teachers, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, military leaders, first responders, community leaders and this is where they develop that passion for learning, that passion for being successful,” added Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Spells. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was well attended, with former graduates and current students coming together to celebrate the milestone. Collectively, the community was proud to celebrate this reinvestment in local students and teachers. “Here’s to the next generation of Bucks. Congratulations and go Bucks,” added Chavez.


Page 14

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

bizfayetteville.com

>>

By Stephanie Meador

PAM Health plans to open medical rehabilitation hospital in Fayetteville P AM Health has announced plans to develop a 42-bed physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital in Fayetteville, N.C. PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Fayetteville will be one of four new PAM Health inpatient rehabilitation hospitals currently planned in the state, complementing the services offered at PAM Health Specialty Hospital of Rocky Mount. The new hospital will have a positive impact on the local economy as it is expected to generate approximately 200 jobs, including clinical, administrative and support staff positions. “As we continue to expand our footprint in North Carolina, this new hospital reflects our steadfast commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered rehabilitation services,” said Founder, Chairman and CEO

>>

By Stephanie Meador

of PAM Health Anthony Misitano in a press release. “According to the US Census Bureau, North Carolina maintains its status as the 9th most populated state in the country and is considered one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S. We are proud to extend our impact in the community by providing best-in-class rehabilitative care to patients throughout the developing Fayetteville Region.” Once open, the new location will

deliver comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy. These personalized treatment programs are designed to accelerate recovery and optimize patient outcomes by using state-of-the-art technologies, highly specialized care plans and innovative approaches to care. The hospital will serve individuals recovering from a broad range of complex conditions, including traumatic brain

and spinal cord injuries, stroke and other neurological disorders, cardiac conditions, amputations, severe illnesses and orthopedic or post-surgical needs. Patients can continue their progress after they are discharged by returning for outpatient therapy, thus extending the continuum of care and potential for success. In addition, PAM Health offers nationally recognized workers’ compensation rehabilitation programs known for helping injured employees achieve maximum recovery and restore functional independence. With the Fayetteville area’s growing regional economy, PAM Health is positioned to provide these vital, specialized return-to-work solutions for employees and businesses in the area.

bizfayetteville.com

Groundbreaking ceremony held for new Coats Community Health Center C ommWell Health celebrated the beginning of construction for its newest multi-specialty health center facility in Coats, N.C., with a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 14. “50 years ago, CommWell Health started as a small night clinic, three county health departments trying to figure out how to take care of a community that was growing faster than the health care around it could keep up. CommWell Health, we’ve grown a lot since then, but that’s still who CommWell Health is at our core. We go where the need is, and we stay,” shared CommWell Health CEO Tamara Dunn. The new CommWell Health Coats facility will be located at 238 East Stewart St., in Coats, N.C., and will provide primary family care, family medicine, dental services and telehealth behavioral health services for

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GFBJ

On Aug. 14, CommWell Health broke ground on its new multi-specialty health center facility in Coats, N.C.

patients of all ages. The newly constructed facility will serve as a permanent home for the community and is expected to create more than 40 clinical, professional and support positions in Coats and

throughout Harnett County. CommWell Health is currently providing temporary services from the Coats Senior Center, ensuring continuity of care while construction is underway. CommWell Health is a non-profit,

Federally Qualified Health Center, which allows it to deliver care to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. This groundbreaking marks CommWell Health’s expansion as an FQHC into Coats and Harnett County, bringing high-quality, affordable and integrated care closer to home for a rapidly growing but historically underserved community. “All parts of health care right now are just terribly expensive, and if we don’t drive those costs down by promoting folks like CommWell and other FQHCs, then we’ve made a terrible mistake,” shared Senator Burgin, a staunch advocate for more affordable and accessible health care. The 8,600-square-foot facility is scheduled to open in 2027.


Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

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August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

BIZ LEADS Reader’s Guide

Greater Fayetteville Business Journal bizfayetteville.com

Ave ATKINS Dr Apt 201 Fayetteville Fayetteville Agent: Melinda BizLeads is a collection of information Fayetteville PROFESSIONAL Spring Lake Agent: FOLORUNAgent: Jyell DAVIS Frederick gathered from greater Fayetteville Agent: Wendell SOLUTIONS Agent: Twayne SHO OMOGBEHIN GASKIN courthouses, state government offices Davis Tyrone Roach LLC and information websites. The listings are RAMEZ ELIAS intended to help the business community Koyan LLC Dishing Up Art SABAT 95 BITCOIN 5710 Fountain find new customers and stay on top MARTINEZ TRUCK- Gems Elite PerGrove Cir 3715 Laguna Vista LLC INCORPORATED of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors. ING & LOGISTICS forming Arts LLC Dr Apt 4 1209 Hay St 200 Dick St Ste D Fayetteville LLC Agent: Rohon 261 Stonebriar Cir Fayetteville Fayetteville Fayetteville New Corporations lists firms from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal region 135 Rosebud St Apt 104 Dernard Atkins Agent: Jeremiah Agent: Ella Wrenn Agent: Abundant that were recently incorporated in the State Spring Lake Spring Lake Temidayo Ogunla Living Consulting of North Carolina. Agent: DORIS MA- Agent: Isaiah MarThe Bark Group CrossBound PerCorporation LLC Addresses are publicly available. RIBEL MARTINEZ LLC tin U.N.C. Music formance llc AVALOS 6196 Lake Trail LLC 646 Pleasant FocalStrata LLC Impulso LLC CUMBERLAND Ember & Ash Con- 1132 Wild Pine Dr Loop 710 Windy Hill Cir Dr 815 Glensford Dr COUNTY Freeman Freight Fayetteville sulting LLC Fayetteville Fayetteville Apt A Fayetteville Cargo LLC Agent: Cecilia 319 Glen Canyon Agent: Amanda Agent: Bruce Lee Fayetteville Agent: Pamela 639 Executive 224 Nielsen Dr Dr Capeles Barron-Mills Blaisdell Agent: Spencer Funk Fayetteville LLC Fayetteville Jankowski 5535 Trade St Agent: Antonio Lions Pride Agent: Melissa LoadNest DisRhodie Lawn Care Sparkling Clean Hope Mills Tremain Freeman Solutions Inc. Frizzell patching Services LLC Lifespan ABA of and Everything in Agent: Gardner 2944 Trace Ave LLC 716 Pecan Grove NC LLC Between llc Law Firm PLLC The 4th Rose The Rainey House 1712 Shiloh Dr Loop 6985 Nexus Ct Ste Fayetteville 3620 Hardeewood LLC Agent: Wilfredo LLC Fayetteville Hope Mills 107 Dr Elite Care Service 3007 Culbreth Rd 1016 Ronald Rea- Agent: Marcus Leon III Agent: Walter Ash- Fayetteville Hope Mills South LLC Fayetteville gan Dr Mccrimmon ley Harvey Rhodie Agent: Sharonda Agent: Jezaleene 111 Lamon St Agent: Emily R Tiko’s Soul Trap Fayetteville Jr Ferguson Candy-Marie Solo- Novak Agent: Alexus R. Ste 127A Kitchen LLC Heritage Lawn and mon Fayetteville Rainey Landscaping LLC JG Home Rentals McKinney Turf and 7181 Evanston St Agent: KWIT Spot Ai llc Fayetteville 6542 Countryside LLC Trailers LLC Point Alpha Llc 8517 Congressio- 4S Schubert Agent: Autarius Dr 9422 Buddy Cir 4133 Owls Head 107 Grimes St CEDEBLC nal Ave Santwan Barrow Family Farm LLC Fayetteville Fayetteville Rd Fayetteville Incorporated Hope Mills 9573 Giles Rd Agent: David Allen Agent: James Fayetteville Agent: Reginita 3510 Maccumber Agent: Omar David Linden Shannan Meggs durcholz Griffin Agent: Alexander Cairo Ct lee jr Hargett Agent: Matthew LLC David McKinney Fayetteville 5233 Morrozoff Dr Jon Schubert Kairos Cleaning Cravd Homemade OBYMART LLC Agent: BRYCE DeeLoveExpress Services LLC Sweets LLC Waypoint Source & Fayetteville 672 S Reilly Rd TAYLOR LLC Agent: Shannan Ghaleb Stores 1150 Charmain St 404 Culloden Pl Supply LLC Ste 2 1117 Paddington LLC Fayetteville Hope Mills 2012 H Bullard Rd Marie Meggs Fayetteville STRENGTH FOR Pl 605 German St Agent: Luis Alberto Agent: Breanna Hope Mills Agent: YVEL FIGTHE JOURNEY Fayetteville Fayetteville Perez-Duarte Powell Agent: Christopher Mahogany AREAU Agent: Doranda FOUNDATION Treasure Agent: All Accurate Seth Boudreau 3821 Corapeake Love Accounts LLC 5621 Dobson Dr Custom Creations Everyday to RunBaseline Faith Dr GSP 2 INC. Fayetteville by Mike LLC way Company LLC Fayetteville Genelana Logistics VINUYEN LLC 6595 Cliffdale Rd Agent: Brian Mau5805 Sunningdale 4020 Eastdale 314 Cornhill Rd Agent: Kay LLC Fayetteville rice Avery 713 Emeline Ave Ln Drive Fayetteville Murtala 5111 Parcstone Agent: GIRISH Fayetteville Hope Mills Fayetteville Agent: Jamey Ln Apt D PATEL The Qompound Agent: An Thu H Agent: Michael Agent: Falon Pope Monique Frazier Caison Creative Fayetteville No Pressure Chu Allen Turner LLC Agent: Henriette Titration Point EnStables LLC American Eye Care PWW Home Appli2428 Torcross Dr Uwumwami 1763 Wilmington Arden & Vale LLC Alchemist Optometric Clinics tertainment LLC ance PS67 LLC Fayetteville 4232 Fulton St Hwy 3011 Town Center Homes PLLC 538 Old Farm Rd Agent: Matthew G Wicked Wicks Of Fayetteville Fayetteville Dr Ste 130 1310 Raeford Rd 8544 Brightleaf Fayetteville Caison DaSouf LLC Agent: Patrick Agent: Hughie Fayetteville Ste 1 Place Agent: Luis A 3223 Lillian Pl Agent: Wiggins Marcus Singley Eugene Fewell JR Fayetteville Saint Pauls Kevin Martin Golf Moure Fayetteville Capital Group Agent: Ebone Agent: Jessica Coaching LLC Agent: Jahniya HAIDARA Auto Sale LLC Rocker Elmore OD The Support Bas2332 Cleveland Shine Bright Katlyn McNeill ket LLC LLC Ave residential and 6467 Rockford Dr 317 Union St FOGODEMISA Holstons Gases F&J Family SerFayetteville commercial clean- Shakka Clean Fayetteville Fayetteville REAL ESTATE LLC LLC vices PLLC Agent: Kevin ing services llc Solutions LLC Agent: Mohamed 1308 Snowy Egret 504 Standing107 W Elwood Ave Agent: Talia WashMartin 616 W Cochran 1049 Pine Knoll ington Cherif Dr stone Dr Raeford


Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

Page 17


Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

THE LIST

Largest Employers - Hoke County Largest Employers - Hoke County As rankedbyby Department of Commerce As ranked NCNC Department of Commerce RANK RANK

COMPANY NAME NAME COMPANY

INDUSTRY

INDUSTRY

11

HOKE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

2

BUTTERBALL LLC

Manufacturing

2

COUNTY OF HOKE

Public Administration

2 2

4

4

4

4

HOKE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION BUTTERBALL LLC

Educational Services

Educational Services

COUNTY OF HOKE WAL-MART ASSOCIATES INC

WAL-MART ASSOCIATES INC CUMBERLAND COUNTY HOSPITAL SYSTEMS

CUMBERLAND COUNTY HOSPITAL SYSTEMS

Health Care and Social Retail Trade Assistance

BURLINGTON INDUSTRIES FIRSTHEALTH OF THE CAROLINAS INC

Manufacturing

4

CONOPCO INC

Manufacturing

Health Care and Social

CONOPCO INC

Assistance

9

SELECT GENETICS LLC

Manufacturing

R & D THIEL INC

99

FEDEX GROUND PACKAGE SYSTEM INC

99

FOOD LION

99

SERENITY THERAPEUTIC SERVICES LLC FEDEX GROUND PACKAGE SYSTEM INC

15 9

MCDONALD'S FOOD LION

15 9

ENGAGE PEO LLC SERENITY THERAPEUTIC SERVICES LLC

15

CAROLINA CONCRETE FINISHING INC

15

15

SELECT GENETICS LLC R & D THIEL INC

MCDONALD'S

Health Care and Social

Transportation and Manufacturing Warehousing

Manufacturing

Retail Trade

Transportation and Health Care and Social Assistance

Warehousing

Accommodation and Food

Retail Trade

Services

Health Care and Social Health Care and Social Assistance Construction

Accommodation and Food Services

Manufacturing

15 15

15

GREATER VISION COUNSELING & CONSULT PRIMARY HEALTH CHOICE INC

PIEDMONT CHEERWINE BOTTLING CO

15

PENNSYLVANIA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY

15

CITY OF RAEFORD

15

Health Care and Social Assistance

Health Care and Social

Construction

Assistance Wholesale Trade

Retail Trade

Public Private

250—499 250—499

100—249

Public Private

250—499

250—499

250—499 250—499

Private

Private Private

Private

Public

Private

Private Private

Private

100—249 100—249

100—249

Private

Public

100—249

100—249

Public

Private

250—499

250—499

SECTOR

Public

250—499

Private Private

100—249 100—249

Private

Private

Private Private

100—249

100—249

Private

Private

50—99

100—249

Private

Private

50—99

100—249

Private

Private

Assistance

PEO LLCINC 15 SUNENGAGE PATH PRODUCTS 15

15 SUN PATH PRODUCTS INC 15 ASPIRION HEALTH RESOURCES LLC

Assistance

Manufacturing

Retail Trade

CHEERWINE BOTTLING CO 15 DOLGENCORP LLC 15 PIEDMONT

Manufacturing Manufacturing

DOLGENCORP LLC

VISION COUNSELING & CONSULT 15 CAROLINA CONCRETE FINISHING INC 15 GREATER

Assistance

Health Care and Social

AUTUMN CORPORATION

9

Assistance

Assistance

9

9

500—999

SECTOR

500—999

Health Care and Social

Health Care and Social

AUTUMN CORPORATION

> 1,000

250—499

44

4

500—999

EMPLOYEE RANGE

500—999

Retail Trade

4

BURLINGTON INDUSTRIES

> 1,000

Public Administration

FIRSTHEALTH OF THE CAROLINAS INC

4

Manufacturing

EMPLOYEE RANGE

50—99

Private

50—99 50—99

Private Private

50—99

50—99

Private

Private

50—99

50—99

Private

Private

50—99

50—99

Private

Private

Administrative and Support and Waste Manufacturing Management and

50—99

Health Care and Social Remediation Services Health Care and Social Assistance

50—99

50—99

Assistance 50—99

Wholesale Trade

Manufacturing

Private

Private

Private Private

50—99 50—99

Private Private

Administrative and

ASPIRION HEALTH RESOURCES LLC

Public Administration Support and Waste

50—99

Public

50—99

Private

50—99

Private

Manufacturing

50—99

Private

Public Administration

50—99

Public

Hoke County data was available from the North Carolina Department of Commerce through the first quarter of 2025 at the time of collection.and Management

Remediation Services

15

PRIMARY HEALTH CHOICE INC

15

PENNSYLVANIA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY

15

CITY OF RAEFORD

Health Care and Social Assistance

Hoke County data was available from the North Carolina Department of Commerce through the first quarter of 2025 at the time of collection.

Page 18


Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

Page 19

UNC & NC State Play-by-Play. The Radio stations of Andrulonis Media are carrying every game for the UNC Tarheels on Carolina Country 100.1 WFAY and the NC State Wolfpack on The River / 106.5 WMRV.

Tarheels = 100.1FM Wolfpack = 106.5FM

A quality service of Andrulonis Media - Founded in Fayetteville in 1995


Greater Fayetteville Business Journal

August 21, 2026 - September 3, 2026

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