November meetup is live. Let’s check out the scene around GoRaleigh Station from the Green Monkey’s outdoor space. Should be great!
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I’ll be there and I’ll have money to do some things.
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Thursday is looking real nice out. Reminder, we’re hanging out at The Green Monkey this week. I’m looking forward to seeing the regulars and the new faces.
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Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight!
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I’ll try to be there…
It was fun a lot of people were listening to my opinions.
However, after the bar cut me off. After 5 drinks.
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My that’s a lot for a school night. Did you pay for them all?
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That was nice to support a business that is struggling since making their move from Hillsborough St.
Are they struggling? That sucks to hear. I’ll have to go check out the new location.
I think that I saw a report (maybe a city council meeting?) where the owner was talking about the problems that they are facing downtown after moving from Hillsborough St.
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Why the hell did they move then? Their Hillsborough St location was so successful, seems like a shortsighted move.
I wish that I could remember exactly what was said, and I’m likely to screw up by trying to summarize, but here it goes. I think that the owner said something about wanting to be part of downtown and contribute to its vibrancy but was having issues with real/perceived crime and safety, and patrons who didn’t feel comfortable in their new location, and he wants the city to do something about it.
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Yes in fact one member was kind enough to pay for my 3rd and 4th I said “no I got it” and he said “it’s good” so another blessing in disguise…
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When I initially remember seeing them beginning work on the place, the crime in the area wasn’t a big of a problem at the time. They decided on the place in Spring. I don’t think anyone saw the issues with crime coming this last summer. It wasn’t an issue the previous summer, although COVID was still an issue at the time.
While the last location was successful, they likely didn’t have as much foot traffic to their location. The hope in this place was to capitalize both on their current customer-base as well as foot-traffic. It’s close to a number of other really good restaurants as well as right across the street from the Raleigh Times.
I honestly can’t blame them for the move. They didn’t have the information at the time and it’s hard to know how they would have had information that crime would really pick up in the summer. Foot traffic in that area died off and existing customers of theirs were afraid to go over there.
In my opinion, it’s a really good spot. That said, I don’t think the area reaches its full potential until or unless Taz’s leaves the area.
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On my way out, the owner, Rusty, thanked me for having our meetup there. We ended up chatting, he showed me around the place, he’s really cool. He did say that all the businesses nearby are down, Bittersweet, he said, is down 40% this year compared to previous years.
He was open and understands that downtowns may have homeless and (my words) “characters” but when the violent acts were taking place this summer, I mean that’s unacceptable which we both agreed on.
Things have gotten better recently but he wasn’t sure if long-term we’ve really squashed this thing. The thinking right now is that:
- if the police get funding and can continue to support the area
- if the transit operator hires and maintains a safety team for the bus routes and GoRaleigh Station
- if fares are brought back starting in the next fiscal year starting July 1
then all these would contribute to a safer environment.
Having said that, the perception may linger for awhile that the area is unsafe so we need to get the word out and rep these businesses to turn that around throughout next year. Put these spots on your lists, people.
- Green Monkey
- Tonbo Ramen
- Young Hearts
- Bittersweet
- Oro
- Beasley’s
Basically everything along Wilmington between Martin and Hargett. Once the construction starts on the BRT platform there, support will also be heavily required. This area is going to look fresh one day but the path to get there may be rough.
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This street section is pretty dark at night too no? Maybe having bright lighting flooding this street until 2 AM will help too.
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I don’t support Tonbo Ramen simply because their ramen absolutely sucks. Tried it when it opened and it was bland as hell. Tried it again to give it a second chance, same deal. The rest of those spots are more worthy IMO.