Southern Pines is located in North Carolina’s Sandhills region. While the area is known for golf, it is also filled with history and a charming downtown area.

Before you go for a visit, take a look at this guide to Southern Pines, NC. 

Where to eat in Southern Pines

The Broad Street area in Historic Downtown Southern Pines is a great option for dining and shopping. There is even a train that goes through the center of the area. 

Betsy’s Crepes is a great option for breakfast, lunch or brunch. The restaurant has sweet and savory crepes. We are fans of the S’mores crepe. Located: 127 SW Broad St, Southern Pines, NC 28387

If you are craving some British-Southern fusion, then The Sly Fox Pub is for you. The restaurant features lots of British atmosphere – a couch outfitted in the Union Jack pattern and a red telephone booth in the outdoor patio. We are fans of the ribeye steak sandwich. You also can’t go wrong with fish and chips. Location: 795 SW Broad St, Southern Pines, NC 28387

If you are craving coffee, the Java Bean Roasting Co. Amor Ciego Coffee Company, Swank Coffee Shop and Pony Espresso are all are great options.

For dinner, 

Ashten’s Restaurant serves its a la carte menu on Wednesday through Sunday nights. That menu includes pork chops, steak, salmon, duck and chicken breast, in addition to gourmet burgers. Location: 140 East New Hampshire Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387

Another great dinner option is Chapman’s Food and Spirits, which serves up items like Cajun Crawfish Fries, shrimp rangoon, fish tacos, pasta and salads. Location: 157 E New Hampshire Ave, Southern Pines, NC 28387

Southern Prime Steakhouse and its mix of shareable plates, alongside their top-notch steaks, make for a great night out as well. Location: 270 SW Broad St, Southern Pines, NC 28387

Where to shop in Southern Pines

The historic downtown district includes a variety of shops including The Country Bookshop, which has been around since 1953. This local bookstore is a go-to spot for the newest titles and literary events. Location: 140 NW Broad St., Southern Pines, NC 28387

If you are looking for a unique business on a mission, then you will want to visit R. Riveter – a handbag company created by two military spouses. The two bonded over not being able to find meaningful employment despite their qualifications due to the transient lifestyle of the military. The business pays its forward by offering grants to military-affiliated women launching their own businesses. Location: 154 NW Broad St, Southern Pines, NC 28387

Instagram worthy spots

Make sure to grab a photo of the horse mural at Harbour Place. It’s beautiful and one of the most photographed places in the town. Location: 375 SE Broad St, Southern Pines, NC 28387

Casino Guitars is also a good spot to snap some photos. This guitar shop even lets you try out any guitar in the store. Location: 115 NE Broad St, Southern Pines, NC 28387

Reservoir Park is perfect for a day outdoors. This 165-acre park has a 95-acre lake to enjoy from dusk until dawn. There are more than 12 miles of hiking and biking trails, plus you can kayak or paddle board on the water. Location: 300 Reservoir Park Rd., Southern Pines, NC

Looking for more Southern Pines, NC coverage?

We also have a story delving into some of the fun historical places in the town, including the details behind Casino Guitars and the Sunrise Theatre.

More than 30,000 North Carolina voters will soon lose their political party affiliation after top candidates for several political parties failed to receive enough votes in the 2024 elections. 

The North Carolina State Board of Elections announced Thursday that voters once affiliated with the Constitution, Justice for All, No Labels, and We the People parties— about 34,000 in all — will become unaffiliated voters June 24.

The parties didn’t file petitions to keep their recognition, allowing their voters’ affiliation to expire ahead of municipal election candidate filing in July.

Unaffiliated voters can choose to vote in any recognized party’s primary election.

The Green Party will continue to be recognized by the state because the board determined with a  3-2 vote Thursday that the party’s presidential candidate was on the ballots of at least 70% of U.S. states, meeting a separate qualifying threshold stipulated in state law. The Green Party’s 4,035 registered voters would remain affiliated with the party.

The Green Party’s presidential candidate, Jill Stein, didn’t receive the required 2% of North Carolinians’ votes for their presidential or gubernatorial candidates in November, but the party filed a petition to maintain their ballot access under the other provision.

Green Party ‘gets across the threshold’

The law states that a party’s candidate must be nominated by the party’s voters to appear on the ballot in at least 70% of states, or 35 states. In 2024, Stein appeared on the ballot in 38 states, but she was the Green Party’s or an affiliate party’s nominee in only 31 of those states. The board was divided Thursday over whether to count the seven other states in which Stein appeared as an independent candidate, by ballot petition, or by the Kentucky Party, which had an unclear national affiliation.

Jeff Carmon, a Democratic member of the state elections board, said Thursday that he didn’t think the Green Party met the requirement in state law because Stein wasn’t nominated by the Green Party or an affiliate in 35 states. He disagreed with counting the other seven states.

“I have a problem with this method,” Carmon said.

But the board’s Republican majority sided with the Green Party’s petition and said continuing to recognize the party would give voters “more choices.”

Stacy Eggers IV, a Republican member of the board, said Stein “gets across the threshold. I don’t think it’s an incredibly clear threshold.”

He said Stein clearly campaigned as the Green Party’s national candidate, but for whatever reason, the party didn’t make it on some states’ ballots.

The Green Party is typically seen as appealing to many Democrat voters, potentially taking votes away from Democratic candidates.

The board’s two Democrats voted against continuing to recognize the Green Party, while the board’s three Republicans voted to keep doing so.

Four other parties lose status

The Constitution, Justice for All, No Labels, and We the People parties are no longer recognized as official parties in North Carolina because they failed to meet the thresholds required by state law. Specifically, candidates for these political parties failed to receive at least 2% of the total vote for governor or president last November. 

The Justice For All Party’s presidential candidate, Cornel West, received 0.21% of the November vote in North Carolina. The Constitution Party’s candidate, Randall Terry, received 0.12%. The No Labels Party and We The People Party didn’t have candidates on North Carolina ballots in 2024. The Green Party’s candidate, Stein, received 0.43% of the vote.  

In the race for governor, the Constitution Party’s candidate, Vinny Smith, received 0.98% of the vote. Justice for All, No Labels and We The People didn’t have candidates on North Carolina’s ballot. Green Party candidate Wayne Turner received 0.89% of the vote.

The parties can re-petition for recognition by summer 2027 to be recognized in the 2028 general election. That requires gathering about 14,000 signatures, including at least 200 from three different North Carolina congressional districts.

North Carolina now recognizes the Democratic, Republican, Libertarian and Green parties.

NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) — A house bill that would create new restrictions on popular hemp-derived consumables like CBD gummies and Delta 9 is quickly moving through the state legislature.

HB 328 would ban certain hemp-derived products outright, restrict sales of other products like CBD and Delta 9 to adults 21 and older, and ban the products from educational property altogether, regardless of age.

Some small business owners who sell the impacted products say they support more industry oversight, but they’re concerned this bill could do more harm than good.

“We should really make sure that we find a way to continue to allow those products to be available and (HB) 328’s definition is just not strong enough to protect that,” said Eric Stahl, co-owner of Modern Apotheca, a hemp dispensary in North Raleigh.

While there are currently no state laws specifically limiting the consumption of hemp products to a certain age group, Stahl said they already restrict access to their shop — let alone who can purchase their products.

“You come through an age-gated location, your ID is checked, you’re then permitted to come in. Once we know that you’re 21 plus and that ID is verified, then you’re allowed to look at our products,” Stahl said.

Stahl said he’s lobbied for another bill, SB 265, that seeks to regulate the hemp industry and would transfer oversight to North Carolina ABC. That bill has failed to get out of committee for several years. He’s concerned HB 328 would punish hemp dispensaries because some vendors of hemp consumables are acting irresponsibly.

SEE ALSO | Governor Stein announces advisory council tasked with cannabis product safety, regulations

“Like any industry, you have people who get in the business to be a member of their community and serve a need. Or you might get into business because you’re profit-driven,” Stahl said.

During Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, several lawmakers expressed concerns about the hemp products in question — and their ease of access for younger North Carolinians.

“We need to put the age restriction on purchasing THC beverages and these hemp products to over 21. We need to make sure that we address the packaging aspects — not looking like things that children can get their hands on,” said Senator Benton Sawrey, a Republican from District 10.

Others said their primary goal was to remove less vetted products from the market. Stahl says the regulations put forth in HB 328 could lead to more bans on hemp products that the federal government has cleared for consumption.

“What we don’t want to do is throw the baby out with the bath water, which is saying that hemp products in North Carolina should not be available,” he said.

HB 328’s quick movement through the legislature comes just after Governor Stein announced an advisory council tasked with establishing more regulations around cannabis in North Carolina.

ABC11 reached out to several sponsors for SB 265 with questions on where that bill stands, and is waiting to hear back.