Success Stories

Mona Pants Foundation is a powerful example of how compassion, entrepreneurship, and community impact can come together to strengthen Downtown Zebulon. Founded in 2014 by Debbi Heger, the Foundation grew from more than 15 years of hands-on involvement in dog rescue and a deep commitment to supporting animals and the people who care for them. What began as fundraising for rescue groups, sanctuaries, and shelters quickly expanded. By 2015, the Foundation was supplying K9 Officers with protective vests—saving lives on both ends of the leash—and each year has brought new ways to serve the pet community.

Visitors often come to Zebulon looking for a blend of small-town character and modern experiences. A walk through downtown quickly shows how those two qualities come together. One of the best examples of this mix is the story of 101 W. Vance St. For more than a century, this address was home to Whitley Furniture Galleries

Third Street Screen Print has long been woven into the fabric of eastern Wake County’s local economy, playing a meaningful role in downtown Wendell's vitality through decades of craftsmanship, reliability, and customer-first service. Built by former employees, ownership, and management of the nationally respected Cotton Exchange Apparel, the company carries forward nearly 35 years of textile and apparel expertise rooted in quality and trust.