Chipotle is coming to Cary!!! That was the headline at the Cary-Grove Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday, October 27, but it wasn't the only news. New restaurants, new neighborhoods, a new road connection, playgrounds and a parade are all on the way. Here's everything I heard.
The Quick Version
Chipotle is coming, on the land next to AutoZone.
A new ice cream shop is moving into the old Cary Dairy location.
A new barber shop is opening in the old Cartridge World space in the WestLake plaza, next to Jimmy John's.
Cary School District 26 opened its new transportation center.
Maplewood School demolition wraps up before the end of 2026.
Ridgefield Park is about a quarter sold: 10 of 38 units are under contract.
Seasons at Cary broke ground in July 2026: 294 apartments across 18 buildings, with move-ins starting spring 2027.
New Haven will connect to Route 31 by June/July 2027.
Remodeled playgrounds are coming to Saddle Oaks, Cambria and Foxford Hills.
The Merry Cary Parade is Sunday, December 6.
New Businesses Coming to Cary
Chipotle is coming! It will be built on the land next to AutoZone. This one got the biggest reaction in the room.
A new ice cream shop is taking over the old Cary Dairy location. That corner will be serving ice cream again, which feels exactly right.
A new barber shop is opening in the former Cartridge World space in the WestLake plaza, right next to Jimmy John's.
Schools, Construction and Roads
Cary School District 26 has opened its new transportation center and is starting to move in.
Maplewood School demolition will be finished before the end of 2026. Redevelopment of the site is expected to take about two years after that.
Seasons at Cary is a new multifamily development that broke ground in July 2026. It will have 294 apartment units across 18 residential buildings with occupancy expected to begin in spring 2027. Residents will also get a 5,873-square-foot clubhouse with a fitness center, plus an outdoor pool and detached garages. Seasons also brings a road change: New Haven will connect to Route 31 by June/July 2027. That should make getting in and out of that side of town a lot easier.
New Homes: Ridgefield Park
Ridgefield Park is already about a quarter sold, with 10 of its 38 units under contract. The community offers a mix of duplexes and triplexes, with first-floor primary bedroom plans available. That's a strong start and a good sign of how much demand there is for new homes in Cary.
Parks and Playgrounds
Several Cary neighborhoods are getting remodeled playgrounds:
Saddle Oaks: construction starts soon.
Cambria and Foxford Hills: now in the design phase.
Events and Community Wins
The Merry Cary Parade is Sunday, December 6 from 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Parade steps off around 1:00 p.m.). Features a festive holiday parade down Main Street followed by seasonal activities throughout downtown Cary.
And cheers to the Cary Main Street Festival team, who just had their most profitable festival ever. That's a lot of volunteer hours paying off for downtown Cary.
What This Means for Cary Homeowners
New construction gives Cary buyers more choices, and it gives me new sales to compare against resale homes. I'll be tracking how Ridgefield Park sells next to existing Cary homes, and how 294 new apartments at Seasons at Cary affect the local market, so when you're ready to price yours, the comparison is already done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chipotle coming to Cary, IL? Yes. Chipotle is planned for the land next to AutoZone in Cary.
What is going into the old Cary Dairy building? A new ice cream shop is coming to the old Cary Dairy location.
What's happening to Maplewood School in Cary? Demolition will be complete before the end of 2026, and redevelopment of the site is expected to take about two years.
When will Seasons at Cary be ready? Seasons at Cary broke ground in July 2026. Occupancy of its 294 apartments is expected to begin in spring 2027.
When is the 2026 Merry Cary Parade? Sunday, December 6, 2026.
When will New Haven connect to Route 31? The connection is expected by June/July 2027.
Thinking About a Move in Cary?
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Beth Repta | Repta Residential | #1 agent in Cary since 2017
