Yet somehow the burgers at Char-Grill are still better. It’s funny how that happens. 
7 Likes
Are you implying election fraud?
1 Like
I’m implying bad taste (pun fully intended) 
5 Likes
Looks like this building (630 Hillsborough St., former Taylors Capital Service Station) went back up for sale in March. Sorry if I missed this already, but here’s a TBJ article. Basically, it looks like the guy behind Johnston St. Yacht Club, Bittersweet, etc. ran out of money to turn it into a restaurant.
TBJ Article: Prime Spot on Hillsborough St. In Raleigh to be Sold
2 Likes
Article mentions materials, which makes sense. Longleaf Swine is much further along but dealing with similar problems, and they’re still able to make some money in catering and pop-ups.
4 Likes
Restaurants will be busy this weekend. Someone on Twitter mentioned that over 30,000 visitors will be coming through with many visiting downtown.
Sold out event + nice weather = restaurants are going to make good money this weekend if they can keep up.
13 Likes
Not to mention packed with people watching “The Game”.
7 Likes
There were two pretty good threads on Reddit the other day about retail and restaurants:
Are there any good “Third Places” in Raleigh?
What do you think Raleigh is missing in terms of businesses?
One part of a comment that stuck out from the latter post:
I feel like a lot of these answers are trying to just re-create the northeast US instead of expanding on southern culture, which is rich and diverse in its own right. A bodega in Raleigh would not be authentic to the city itself, nor to the transplants who would frequent it. I’d like to see expansions of the farmers market (permanent or rotating stalls for fruits/veggies/canned goods/anything artisan within public squares). Live outdoor music more accessible and frequent (bluegrass, jazz, funk, soul, whatever as long as the community could participate) …
Are there other great southern culture features we should be expanding here?
10 Likes
Yessss! More live bluegrass please! Raleigh Times used to do Bluegrass on thursdays pre pandemic. Looks like it may still be a thing (Beer and Banjos) that rotates locations.
3 Likes
While I agree overall, I think part of it is that the poster is conflating Southern culture with general rural culture, given the region’s historic lack of dense cities. Maybe look at interesting things in Charleston, Richmond, Memphis, or Savannah? They have to have their own versions of corner stores/music venues/etc.
8 Likes
The Raleigh Wine Shop move seems like a good idea. They’re packed. I don’t think they would have gotten this kind of business at their old location.
11 Likes
Yeah we stopped by Transfer and this place yesterday. They make a nice companion outing to that side of town. Along with Crude Bitters and those weirdly angled roof condos, this little block is looking nicer. Except for that weird condemned looking building and surface parking directly to the right of the wine place. I hope something good can be done with that. Tho it is next to a church so probably better to just leave it as is. 
11 Likes
A post was merged into an existing topic: Raleigh-area Mall / RTP Redevelopments
Longleaf Swine opening in August after a long delay.
…
In what co-owner Adam Cunningham called “a nightmare,” the barbecue concept has faced supply chain issues, rising costs of goods and challenges procuring a bank loan over the past few years. In August, the restaurant will open to the public after over a year of getting by through pop-ups and catering services. The 1,800-square-foot restaurant, located at 300 E. Edenton St., will hold 36 seats inside and another 80 outside.
…
Longleaf Swine won’t specialize in one type of barbecue, but instead will offer all kinds and styles. Cunningham, an eastern North Carolina native, favors that region’s barbecue but will include Texas brisket, smoked chicken and beef ribs on the menu. The restaurant will also serve smash burgers, pastries and coffee.
…
30 Likes
Good for them. I hope it goes well.
Certainly this is one of the bleakest blocks in the core of downtown. Treeless and that awful security fencing around the big ol’ post office parking pad.
Their much delayed opening calls for some new photographs, imho. 
3 Likes
Walkable brisket, I’m in heaven
15 Likes
Not to mention 2 one way streets pointing away from it if you’re coming from north or west of downtown. Like many visitors are.
1 Like
My wife and I went wayy too often when they were serving food at Standard Beer and Food. It’s really, really good. Fine Folk is another one opening soon with a similar vibe, but it’s gotten really expensive compared to their previous place, Govt. Cheeseburger in downtown Cary.
9 Likes
Gov’t was a pretty savvy pandemic pivot from Postmaster…and, the Cheeseburger is still on the menu at Fine Folk. Some tasty grub coming outta there when they were posted up at USB and excited to see how the beverage / food program evolves in its own digs.
FYI, Heirloom has food again. They’d been doing beverages only since reopening.
12 Likes