More fast food closures on Hillsborough St - Arby’s has closed. I won’t miss the restaurant but I’ll definitely miss the sign.
Photo from proper-action-2502 on Reddit
Photo from proper-action-2502 on Reddit
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I don’t know that I’ve ever eaten at an Arby’s no less this particular Arby’s. You are right though about that sign. It’s iconic.
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Yeah Arby’s is disgusting and that building was terrible, but the sign was awesome. I hope it goes to a good home.
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I can absolutely see Nate Schaefer of Glas nabbing it and housing it there:
Would really fit in well!
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How cool is that space?!!! Not only would it fit, it would be a focal point because it’s so huge.
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Wth? What happened to all the motorcycles and metal statues he had out front? It’s been a few years since I was in there.
These are all random photos I copy/pasted from Google images haha - no clue what’s there currently.
Oh, ok. You caught me because you used Nate’s name. He’s in New Orleans by the way. He’s opened another neon shop down there, Big Sexy Neon.
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Ah damn I had no idea he had moved down there! That’s too bad, always thought it was so cool we had him here… at least we still have Glas, truly hope that stays in Raleigh forever. It’s a gem!
Random question, what is supposed to be going here at the Arby’s location? I saw on the CityPlat website they have two projects ‘under planning’ called the Turnhill & Turnhill II. However the address is listed as 3411 Hillsborough St, which isn’t technically this Arby’s spot but super close to it. I know CityPlat isn’t the most reliable with their projects so I’m wondering if this is happening or is it something else?
I would assume it’s also student apartments being so close to State.
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No, CityPlat’s Turnhill site is between the Arby’s and Turner St (the next street to the east). (Turner + Hillsborough = Turnhill.) Last I talked to them was a while ago, but the construction bids were such that they were debating rental vs. condo. The site’s a bit challenged by overhead lines.
The Arby’s land is owned by Sandra Reynolds of Hillsborough; it appears that the leasehold improvements have reverted to the owner, as is typical in a long-term lease situation. The building was built in 1997 = 25 years ago.
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Funny how someone in the Chargrill rezoning thread mentioned how the only places of character Raleigh still has are fast food joints and I IMMEDIATELY thought about this Arby’s and saving their vintage sign. Yeah, Arby’s sucks and can go but don’t take the sign.
shakes fist at the sky
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Also, whatever does end up being built here, I REALLY hope it’s not student housing (exclusively). Us regular citizens need new housing options too.
“The Standard” + “Uncommon” (those names are so cringy lol) should have been several stories higher so that these smaller properties can more skinny redev with non-student oriented apartments and micro units or mixed use.
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But….doesn’t Arby’s have the meats?
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Well, they used to. 
Anyone notice the Doubletree is closed on Hillsborough Street? A little birdie told me that an over 1000 bed student housing complex is coming there and will open in 2024. Seems ambitious!
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Feels like downtown needs the hotel rooms more than the student housing, but if that’s what the market demands, go for it.
Is it going to be a conversion of the building or a tear down?
I second this. Before the newer Hotel 83/AC Hotel were built, our out-of-town business visitors often had to book either at this Double Tree or other hotels up Wake Forest or North Hills due to either price or vacancy. Removing a hotel isn’t the right direction but at least we do have others under construction and in the pipe.
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I got word the Arby’s sign is already gone. It was supposedly cut into pieces and tossed into a landfill 
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