Happy Friday, Triangle!

We are in the middle of a hot Carolina summer, where lake breezes and shaded greenways feel like a lifesaver.

If you've been living in the AC this week, consider this your nudge to get back out there.

There's live music on the water in Cary tonight, a slice of France in Raleigh on Saturday, and a treasure hunt in Durham on Sunday. And there's a piece of retail news with real implications for the southern Triangle: another Costco could be on the way.

Grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let me walk you through it.

Here’s your D&M BRIEF:

[B]est Weekend Plans: Curated events to fill your weekend
​[R]ealty Pulse: A quick answer to "How's the market?"
​[I]n the News: Costco files a $100M plan for Clayton, gas station and all
​[E]xclusive Listing: A Wendell Falls craftsman that backs to green space, under $380K
​[F]riday Favorites: Raleigh's historic district is changing forever

Scroll down and enjoy!

—Brette

[B]EST WEEKEND PLANS

EVENTS

BEST THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN THE TRIANGLE

CONCERT ON THE LAKE Bands, Bites & Boats 📅 July 10 | 6–8 PM 📍 Bond Park Boathouse, Cary ​MORE INFO→​

FESTIVAL Bastille Day Celebration 📅 July 11 | 4–10 PM 📍 Lafayette Village, Raleigh ​MORE INFO→​

MARKET Bull City Treasure Hunt 📅 July 12 | 1–7 PM 📍 Durham Central Park ​MORE INFO→​

​Click here to see 80+ events for the whole month!→​

[R]EALTY PULSE

REAL ESTATE MARKET Altos' Market Action Index An at-a-glance answer to “How’s the market?” SEE MORE ≫

REAL ESTATE MARKET Altos' Real-Time Market Profile All key market indicators in one easy-to-read chart, with trend lines showing changes over the past three months. SEE MORE ≫

What it means: The market is cooling off its spring peak, but it hasn't flipped. Sellers still hold a slight edge, so homes that are priced right and show well keep moving.

The days of naming any price and getting it are over. With nearly half of listings seeing price cuts, pricing accurately matters more than ever.

For buyers, more homes to choose from and longer days on market mean real room to negotiate, and a lot less pressure to waive everything just to compete.

[I]N THE NEWS

RETAIL Costco Plans a $100M Store and Gas Station in Clayton READ MORE ≫

▷ Driving the news

Costco filed plans for a new store in Clayton. The $100 million project on an 87-acre site would be the first Costco in Johnston County.

The plans call for a 166,000-square-foot warehouse and a 24-pump gas station at 12649 Clayton Boulevard.

▷ The site

The land sits along Clayton Boulevard and was sold by developer CASTO, the same firm that recently sold nearby property to Target.

Both stores are part of a larger West Edge development taking shape in the area, according to the News & Observer.

▷ Why Clayton

The town's growth helps explain the interest.

Clayton's population reached about 32,600 in 2025, up from roughly 26,300 in 2020 and about 16,100 in 2010.

It has doubled in 15 years.

The median household income sits at about $78,882, and the median age is 33. Clayton is now Johnston County's largest municipality.

▷ What it means for grocery runs

For now, Johnston County has few wholesale options.

The nearest Costco is on Fayetteville Road in Raleigh, about a 25-minute drive, and the closest BJ's Wholesale Club is in Garner.

An Aldi is also under construction in the Clayton area, though an opening date has not been announced.

▷ Why this matters for Clayton

Costco does not expand on a whim. This filing is a direct bet that the area's population and income growth will continue.

For homeowners in Clayton and Garner, big national retailers moving in is a strong signal that usually translates to better property values and more convenience down the road.

For anyone thinking about moving to the southern Triangle, it is another reason the area stays at the top of people's lists.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

DEVELOPMENT Partnership breaks ground on 809,141-square-foot industrial park in Durham Hines and an Ares Real Estate fund have broken ground on Parkside Commerce Center, a four-building industrial park next to Research Triangle Park, with Phase I due in late 2027. CLICK TO READ IT ≫

DINING Historic Cary filling station to reopen as a restaurant in August Lloyd's Full Service, from hospitality group Early Bird Night Owl, will open in a former 1951 auto shop on Cary's Chatham Street in August, serving all-day breakfast and dishes like linguine with clams. CLICK TO READ IT ≫

RETAIL Durham's first Korean convenience store opens downtown Dosirak Outpost, a Korean-style convenience store from Kristine Suh and Andrew Mehring, has opened on Main Street, stocking Korean snacks, noodles, and locally made kimchi. CLICK TO READ IT ≫

[E]XCLUSIVE LISTING

Backs to green space, steps from a saltwater pool. Under $380K FOR SALE 640 Mill Station Ln, Wendell

Picture pulling up to a classic rocking-chair front porch framed by perennial blooms.

Out back, the yard opens straight onto a quiet green space.

There are no rear neighbors behind you, only a line of trees.

Inside, this Garman Homes craftsman keeps things bright and easy. A fresh, neutral palette lets the custom trimwork stand out, and the open-concept layout centers on a 10-foot kitchen island built for entertaining.

A dedicated pocket office off the kitchen makes working from home simple.

The primary suite is a true retreat, with dual walk-in closets and a spa-like tiled shower.

Mornings belong on the porch; summer nights belong around the custom firepit out back.

Living in Wendell Falls means top-tier amenities are part of everyday life: a saltwater pool, a fitness center, a coffee shop, and 10 miles of nature trails.

The home sits steps from new dining spots and a Publix, with seamless highway access for a quick Raleigh commute.

Click here to view the full details 👇🏻 See all 30+ photos ≫

[F]RIDAY FAVORITES

NEW OPENING Super Chix Chicken-sandwich fans, take note. Super Chix has opened its first location in the Raleigh market, landing in Morrisville — the chain's fourth in North Carolina and its 46th nationwide. Expect hand-breaded, never-frozen chicken sandwiches, big tenders, hand-cut Idaho fries, and a build-your-own sauce bar, plus frozen custard churned in-house throughout the day. Now open in Morrisville. SEE THE RESTAURANT ≫

NEW VIDEO Raleigh's Historic District is Changing Forever WATCH IT NOW ≫

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TRENDING A 1,200-Acre Golf Retreat Coming November 2026 — Just a Day Trip From Raleigh Raleigh golfers, mark your calendars. ⛳🌲 Something special is taking shape in the Carolina Sandhills, and it’s got the Triangle’s golf community buzzing. SEE THE POST ≫

» Quick Pro Tip

Your AC is working incredibly hard right now.

If you haven't swapped the air filter in the last month, do it this weekend — a clogged filter forces the system to run longer, drives up your July power bill, and wears the unit out faster. It's a five-minute fix, and your future self (and your electric bill) will thank you come August.

Davis and Main were incredible to work with. Brette helped us find a house that met all of our needs and in a time crunch! She was extremely attentive and easy to communicate with. We felt as if all our opinions were heard - which led us to finding our current home.

—Kassondra K.

Thanks for reading the D&M Triangle BRIEF. See you next Friday! —Brette Davis

Want to stay in the loop between Fridays? Follow me on Instagram for real estate insights, local events, and what’s happening around the Triangle.