Cornerstone is closing and becoming a new concept.
https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article311074655.html
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Womp, I thought this was supposed to be torn down and replaced with a taller building.
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Yeah but that got cancelled sadly. I’m sure its new concept will be just amazing LOL…
The owner seems like a real swell guy…
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Bistro 401 (the former Union Special outpost) on Fayetteville St. announced on their Instagram they were moving their operations to Wake Tech and something named “NY Finest Deli” would be taking over the Bistro 401 spot.
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TBJ with a new story that Roots Natural Kitchen will be opening in the former Gumby’s Pizza spot on Hillsborough St next to NCSU. Glad to see something finally move in there. I like the one that’s up in Charlottesville.
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That’s great! I used to run their ads years ago. It’s good food.
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Gumby’s closed?!? I was just saying I needed to get some Pokey Stix soon. That was the last vestige of my college days…
Yeah, I tried to go before a State baseball game earlier this year and they had a sign up saying they were going to reopen soon with some ice cream operation tagged onto the far left side (I hadn’t heard they closed). Drove by a month or so ago and didn’t see any activity. Was wondering what was going to happen to that space.
Anyone know what’s up with these empty retail units on West Martin by Parkside? They’ve been empty for a while now, but it looked like some work was happening in one about a month ago. Haven’t seen any activity since.
This stretch of buildings is one of my favorite in downtown. Feels like a prime spot for a neighborhood bar / coffee shop.
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Once upon a time there were multiple art galleries in a few of these spaces… 
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I think one of them was a store called Flourish Market, which moved to Iron Works.
Edit: Just checked and this one was 311 Gallery, Flourish was two doors down in 307.
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This building changed ownership and several of the long-standing existing businesses fled. Make of that what you will.
While galleries are great, functioning walkable neighborhoods also need local services and retail, and those aren’t usually the glamorous or establishments that we often associate with a vibe.
My favorite businesses in South Beach are the grocery stores, drug stores, hardware store, etc. where I can access practical things for day to day living without getting in a car.
Galleries are certainly welcome, but like bars their day to day impact are marginal.
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• Chef Meherwan Irani plans Botiwalla restaurant in Raleigh Iron Works.
• Botiwalla's menu celebrates late-night Indian street food and kebabs.
• Irani's Chai Pani won James Beard award for Outstanding Restaurant.
Coming from Asheville to Raleigh next Spring https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/07/28/botiwalla-restaurant-raleigh-iron-works-chef-irani.html
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Grubb Ventures has done an incredible job with their leasing at Iron Works (and Salvage Yard). A mix of some great local and regional tenants.
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I was thinking about this the other day, they have done a great job. What are they doing that they have so quickly filled up a lot of space vs all the other companies in town that just sit on unoccupied space?
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TBJ article today that John Seelbinder with Local Icon Hospitality has purchased The London Bridge Pub out of bankruptcy. Says they plan to reopen soon after renovations under a different name - but the same English pub concept. Also mentioned that once the Merchant moves into the former Architect space, he plans to open a different concept on S Salisbury St. in what will soon be the former Merchant space.
Always loved the London Bridge patio out back, but the inside always felt a little suspect. Glad to see him working to keep this going and still having plans for the S Salisbury St spot - would love to have some other businesses open up on the same block adjacent to that former Merchant/Virgils space.
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The hell is the point of changing the name though lmao