Wow, that’s actually huge. I know the Moshakos’ had mentioned a year or two ago that they were eyeing a space on Fayetteville Street. Glad to see that they’ve got something in the works. Absolutely looking forward to it!
1 Like
Certainly an all day service restaurant here helps! Sounds like they’re on the hunt for another concept as well - those are promising developments.
Sorry, but I had to drop the render and the street view, for comparison… 
Will be exciting to see this area more active / lively !
15 Likes
Mac’s Speed Shop, a restaurant brand known for barbecue, beer and a passion for motorcycles, is opening in Five Points. The restaurant chain is taking over the space at 1626 Glenwood Ave. – the former home of Lonerider Brewing’s Five Points Hideout and, before that, The Point at Glenwood restaurant. (Triangle Biz Journal 10/4/23)
1 Like
Fine Folks (Gateway Plaza) is closing, October is last month of service.
Any word as to why? Never went there too often, but always was a nice neighborhood spot for a special occasion.
I never went there. So I guess I’m to blame. What was their deal? Was this the people who did the food in downtown Cary where Scratch is now?
wooooah. I’d heard great things about this place; lots of foodies naming it among the best new restaurants in town. I never made it out there to try it myself (perhaps representative of the problem) but still surprised to hear of its closing.
Well that’s 3 of y’all lamenting the loss having never gone or rarely going, so yeah I’d say that was their problem #1 hahaha - but I also know they paid employees a living wage and benefits, which is FANTASTIC but also probably the death knell for them when they weren’t a years-long established restaurant with reservations out for months. Their food was pricey to justify that - but from the times I went, I also didn’t recall anything mentioning that nor the option to not tip (I can imagine people seeing the prices, and then factoring in a tip, deciding to go somewhere else).
We went there a couple times - it was good, but very expensive. It just didn’t really feel “unique”, and the vibe inside was just ok. I don’t think there was outdoor seating and if there was it wasn’t much. Hard to justify the bike ride when there are so many other decent American restaurants along the way. Compare that to Longleaf Swine, which has a set identity (bbq), great outdoor seating and vibe, and more affordable.
3 Likes
I went to Fine Folk once. The food was great. However, agreed with others, going out to Gateway Plaza just doesn’t really do it for me. I’d much rather just be downtown or go to one of those fake downtowns where people are liveworkplaying for the additional vibrancy.
That said, I can appreciate that we are also in a bit of an echo chamber here (except for 
) where we all want these kinds of things. While it validates my opinion that you really shouldn’t try to open a restaurant in a strip-mall away from established residences, I will miss the good food.
4 Likes
To me, Fine Folk is well named as the people are great, the food is real good and their niche was as a neighborhood joint with a bit of a wine bar feel…The only place where I feel Longleaf has them beat is the covered outdoor seating - which is really nice except in the throes of high hooomiditay…
Tough to open up the garage door at Fine Folk in the middle of summer but in the shoulder seasons, the vibe there was pretty great with the door open - kinda outside / inside. Loved their twist on the wedge, those dips (@jala-crab) with USB bread, the dishes pulled from childhood memories ( that Chicken n Rice, the mushroom stroganoff!), the weekend pasta specials and never forget *That FF’n burger has been legit since the Gov’t Cheeseburger pandemic pivot over at Postmaster…). Sorry they’ve decided the run is over. Hope all these great folks find the next pivot and it’s the next good spot.
3 Likes
Really like Mac’s. My crew will ride down to Fayetteville and eat there every once in awhile. Cool to have a Raleigh location but I’m definitely skeptical of how it will do in the Five Points location
Govt. cheeseburger was my jam. We lived within walking distance at the time and went so much - the difference was that the fine folk burger was way more expensive.
I wish there were more micro-retail (350-500 sf) stores in Downtown, those would probably sell quickly if we started building them.
I get that this is not the most profitable option for large developments but I’d like to see more of the smaller builders incorporate these spaces. I think they could be incorporated in ADUs or new missing-middle housing.
9 Likes
Sadly, so is pretty much all food stuffs at all levels versus the just survive reality of then…
$14 in 2020 is pretty much $17 in 2023…
I hope they put a mess of those in whatever goes up at the old DMV
3 Likes
I tried going a couple of times and while I get shelling for quality, I also found their price points to be a bit high for many of the dishes they were offering, to the point of inhibiting conversion, sadly.
Haven’t seen this posted yet, and can’t find it on their official instagram. Looks like a ‘Dry Bar’ is entering the former Garland space. ‘Umbrella Dry Bar’:
3 Likes
Mmm all the fun of paying for cocktails with none of the hassle of enjoying the alcohol. Can’t wait!
2 Likes