The McPoyle family 
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Cousins. 
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The Triad is your cousin who is “going through some stuff.”
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Are there enough people “in-the-know” on here to paint a good picture of the state of clothing retail downtown? For example, are these businesses doing okay/close to going out of business/don’t seem very busy?
- Urban Outfitters
- The Art of Style
- Apex Outfitter
- Gypsy Jule
- Ealdwine
- Raleigh Denim
- Deco
- Social Status
- House of Swank
I’ve been somewhat concerned about Ealdwine and Social Status.
I would imagine deco is doing fine. House of swank and Raleigh denim and UO likely as well. The rest, I have no idea how they stay in business.
I believe Kendra from Art of Style is looking to expand into other cities but not sure I’d take that as any particular indicator of the Hargett St location.
- Raleigh Denim is making jeans for Brad Pitt now, so they’ll be fine no matter if anyone shops at the downtown storefront or not (though people do shop there. I think the storefront is a passion piece of Victor’s; he had my band play a post-Hopscotch day set there and said the whole time we were hanging out in the shop, playing the old piano he has set up in there, that he wishes more people came into the shop to simply just hang out like we were more often. He said he wants people to think of it as “Raleigh’s living room”).
- Social Status I always wonder about, too- they are very niche. Definitely my niche, but just not my budget
I assume since they’re a regional chain (flagship store in Charlotte, couple other locations around the south I believe), they make most of their sales online, and probably from the other bigger locations). - House of Swank has to be the laziest/lamest local brand when it comes to their “designs” - I’ve always hated their cringey shirts but hey Whitebread Raleigh loves em and keeps their business chugging, so I can’t knock em for finding a loyal customer base. Just such a lame excuse for a clothing “brand” - slap a “Sir Walter” in front of a buzzword, or an acorn on a stock-image and voila, there’s their newest shirt. He also went on outspoken tirades against scooters, going so far as to film himself knocking tons of them over, so he’s also a legitimate dick, at that.
- Apex Outfitter; I’ve gone in there a few times, and all their stuff is expensively priced but cheaply made (in China, Bangladesh, etc) outdoor gear. I imagine they get a boost from being next to…
- The Art of Style; this place is also expensive for the quality (I have a hard time justifying paying top dollar for “Designer” clothing made in a sweatshop) but they get bonus points for hosting a James Blake Hopscotch after-party DJ set this year.
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SmokeStacks Cafe has opened in Historic Oakwood, corner of Lane and Linden. Brunch selections include: french toast, cathead biscuits, smoked brisket sandwich, and a smash burger. Beer and Wine are available on-site and to take away.
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And it’s super good!! We had brunch there yesterday. 
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Nice! I was thinking about stopping by tomorrow when I make my annual pilgrimage to the oakwood Halloween house. Do they do non brunch food at all on the weekends?
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They were open this morning around 8 when I was walking the dog, not sure about tomorrow.
@JosABanks Maybe that explains this tag on the outside of the old Taylor’s Service Station at 630 Hillsborough. (Saw it tonight when at CharGrill)
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Approx 24 hours later.
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Just left the char-grill myself. Were you the one with the beagles?
Bassets hounds, yes. Me and the hub.
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The truck has received it’s blessing. Soft opening this week, then starting 10/27 in our parking lot (First Baptist Church) at the NE corner of Hillsborough and McDowell.
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From the owners are brew-master at Brewery Bhavana, a new restaurant on the Dillon’s 9th floor. 5,000 sqft inside dinning room, larger outdoor terrace. Laoation evening food from charcoal grills and a curated cocktail bar. Read the article if you can, the story behind these 3 folks coming together was truly serendipitous.
https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article236337358.html
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Hmm - I forgot there was a Dillon retail thread too. lol, I do that pretty often.
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New restaurant from Vanvisa, Van, Patrick, and teams behind Bida Manda / Brewery Bhavana… Luang Prabang, Laotian grill and garden bar, on the 9th floor/ rooftop terrace at The Dillon!!
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I had heard the Bida crew was doing something there but good to hear it wasn’t just rumor! Can’t wait!