Raleigh Philosophical Society

RIP to Hayes Barton Cafe's Frank Ballard

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:53:35 +0000

Those that know me know that my absolute favorite restaurant in town is Hayes Barton Cafe. Hands down. Ever since Charity and I stepped foot in that place several decades ago, it felt like a special place. It didn't hurt that the food was spectacular -- especially the desserts!

But the thing that kept bringing us -- and so many others -- back was the ambience. The "feel" of the place. The mood. It felt both small town and big city at the same time.

At the heart of it was Frank Ballard, its owner. He was also always at the front of it. He recognized the regulars, but he more than welcomed the newbies ... or the irregulars (as we became later in the years).

The restaurant's embrace and celebration of the "Greatest Generation" also stuck with me ... and others. I remember bringing my grandparents there ... and they just lit up. That admiration for that era from Frank was genuine; you could tell. It also made Hayes Barton Cafe a place that reminded me of visiting my grandparents. It was warm, inviting, homey, and full of laughter and love.

Frank passed away today. His smile and his demeanor will be missed. His impact on this community cannot be overstated. This is a true loss.

'ALVIN!' Have you seen him? UPDATED 4.10.26

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:22:00 +0000

I've noticed over the past few months that when I drive my kids to school over near the Lake Boone Trail/Oberlin Road area that I will frequently see cute little chipmunks scurrying around those neighborhoods. The flip side is in the almost 17 years I've lived in the Oakwood area, I've NEVER seen a single chipmunk. (Conversely, if I go up to the Boone area, I also spot them quite regularly.)

So this got me thinking: is there like a "Chipmunk Line" of demarcation that runs somewhere through Raleigh/Wake County? (And if so, we may have an idea for a new House of Swank t-shirt.)

Turns out ... that may actually be the case.

According to this "species report," the location of the Eastern chipmunk is a mostly western North Carolina thing -- but by western, I mean extending from the mountains to around Wake County. A closer look shows that the chipmunk lives in just a handful of pockets ("confirmed presence") of the state, with Wake County being one of those.

Of course, the little critter is on the move. In fact, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is hoping you will let them know if you see one, especially in the eastern part of the state.

Like Floridians, chipmunks actually prefer the mountains of N.C. (But they are looking to move east.)

Chipmunks are burrowers. They prefer to make their homes underground. The mountain region of North Carolina has more hardwood trees, which offer more stability to maintain an underground burrow structure.

Of course, the fact that they burrow means they CAN be somewhat damaging to yards and structures. But, man, are they cute. And they can ROCK!

April 10, 2026 update:
Welp, it happened. As I drank my coffee yesterday morning, I saw a little guy scurry through my backyard. The chipmunks are migrating, which can only mean a couple of things ...

Climate change is real, or
The world is finally ending.

Chipmunk photo courtesy of Allen Boynton/WFMY.

'Heading over to the 7-Even for some beer'

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:04:00 +0000

Change is inevitable. We have seen that come to fruition many times over the years and decades here in Raleigh. Buildings and businesses close up shop. Often we are sad when that happens. Sometimes a business changes ownership – and thus the name of the business changes.

Or does it?

A couple weeks ago, I was talking with a friend about the best spots in town to get beer. His answer was emphatic.

“Oh, definitely the 7-Even.”

If you are of a certain age, or your Raleigh residency is of a certain age, you may not know what someone means when they say “7-Even.” To be clear, the 7-Even doesn’t exist anymore. It became – many years ago – Peace Street Market. But to many “old-timers,” it will probably ALWAYS be 7-Even – name change be damned.

This conversation got me thinking about other places that are still often called by their former name.

For instance, I still have a hard time referring to that colossus of retail along 440/Six Forks Road as “Midtown.” To me, it will always be “North Hills.”

That fancy theatre downtown where you watch “The Nutcracker” each December? Well that, my friends, is “Memorial Auditorium.”

For some folks, that one road will always be “The Falls of the Neuse,” not “Falls of Neuse.”

What are some other examples? I’m intrigued – especially knowing I’m not a Raleigh native, so I know there are PLENTY of examples of which I’m not aware. And I’m not quite sure I want to get into the conversation about buildings/schools/shopping centers that were renamed because we figured out the people they were named for were not great people (i.e.: Village District/Cameron Village).

Update: According to friend of the blog Banks, 7-Even was actually called Peace Street Market FIRST, then changed to 7-Even, and then back to Peace Street Market. So there ya go.

Is that Kay Yow or not?

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:19:00 +0000

I have probably driven past the mural on the backside (Davie/Person Streets) of City Market for three decades now, and always glanced over at it and thought: “I wonder why Coach Yow is on there?”

To be fair, I haven’t spent THAT much time thinking about it … until now. But a conversation with my friend Tim about murals* recently led to more introspection about this one in particular … and to Yow, the late NC State women’s basketball coach.

If you haven’t noticed the mural, no worries. It is admittedly a little faded these days. “Looks like it should be in ‘Highlights’ magazine – like ‘find all the faces in this picture!’” said Tim. One blog concurs: “Finding faces cleverly disguised among the fruits and vegetables is an activity that never gets old.” In a city full of wonderful murals, it’s an OG; a mural that was cool before murals were cool.

But the question – “Is that Yow smiling at us?” – hasn’t yet been answered.

Research** has been less than fruitful. Best I can tell, the mural was designed as a tribute to the state’s agricultural heritage. And that’s it. I can’t seem to find any more information beyond that.

I would love to know who the other faces represent. Are/were they real people? Is that Coach Yow? Or maybe they are just generic representatives of Americans, of Raleighites. If that’s the case, and if it’s not Yow, it is likely – according to Tim – just an amalgamation of “Every Mom” from the 1970s and ‘80s who had the same ‘do. You know the one.

So help me out. Does anyone have more information about the mural?

*For clarity, the conversation started about the wonderful John Prine mural downtown. As in … “why?” As far as I can tell, there’s no really strong, unique Prine-Raleigh connection … but apparently the mural was installed on the cusp of a Wide Open Bluegrass festival … and to promote Prine’s Grammy buzz. No worries – it’s a beautiful mural, and I’m glad we have it.

**The interwebz, of course.

How should we celebrate "919 Day?"

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:10:00 +0000

Friday is, well, "919 Day" -- in honor of it being September 19th. (Get it?) Seeing as it's a day to honor our fair region (based purely on a random phone area code, of course), how should we best celebrate the area?

Here are a few ideas to get the wheels turning:

Spend the day listening to the likes of area musicians like The Connells, Pete Pablo, Superchunk, American Aquarium, Corrosion of Conformity ... and so on and so on.
Drive around and look at McMansions.
Point and snicker at poor saps who are stuck with a 984 area code.

Time to add public art to the roundabouts on Hillsborough Street

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:44:00 +0000

Remove -- for just a second -- the argument over whether you like traffic roundabouts ... or whether you think they work or not. One thing I think is pretty clear is they open up some interesting and engaging sight lines on streets and boulevards. I, for one, really like how Hillsborough Street has been transformed over the past decade thanks to them. (And, yes, count me as someone who thinks they have helped with traffic flow. So sue me!)

But lately I've thought about how those "traffic circles" could be blank spaces for public art. The foliage in the roundabouts around NC State look great; it's been a delight to see them fill in over the years.

But what if? What if we commissioned public art for the roundabouts on Hillsborough? I gave this some (admittedly brief) thought while riding the bus to and from work the other day. The options are endless for how to make use of that real estate.

Thanks to the "magic" of AI, I asked it to create some ideas of what it may look like.

For instance, what about just some straight up public MODERN art?

Or maybe we want to honor someone who was instrumental in the history of the university -- and the state itself? How about a statue of Gov. Jim Hunt*?

Or, as the largest state university in North Carolina, why not a piece of art dedicated to the state**?

Yes, these are very quick (and very simple) attempts to show what it COULD look like. But I ask you: IF we could have public art commissioned within the roundabouts at Hillsborough Street (or any other area streets), what would you like to see?

*It is AI after all ...not sure this actually looks much like Jim Hunt. But you get the picture.

**And AI clearly needed a more descriptive prompt for this one. ChatGPT was just lazy here.

Get to know your streets: Hail Britannia 2.0

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 20:25:00 +0000

Many moons ago we discussed how it's logical that there is a fair amount of British-inspired imagery and nomenclature in the City of Oaks -- it was named after an Englishman, after all. As mentioned some eight years ago, Raleigh is chock-full of names inspired from across the pond.

So it's no surprise that this streets series warrants another edition. In fact, it didn't really hit me until a couple of nights ago when I was riding through Longview and noticed a pattern:

Derby Drive (pronounced "Darby?")
Sheffield Road
Marlborough Road
Brighton Road

My initial thought was if these were streets named after English soccer clubs. But it looks like these are all just English place/town names smack around places like King Charles, Lord Ashley, etc. and etc.

So there you go ... the Anglo Love in Raleigh continues!

(Apropos of nothing: Gotta love the things you discover unintentionally via Google Maps ... like "Whoop Hair It Is" on Kennington Road.)

Just what IS Downtown?

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 03:32:00 +0000

My buddy Tim and I were having an intense conversation* recently about the "boundaries" of Downtown Raleigh. It was spurred by a couple of anecdotes that got us thinking ...

One was a friend who commented that he lived "near the Ironworks" on Atlantic Avenue, yet upon further inspection revealed his home to be more around the Brentwood area.

The other was someone who told Tim they "lived downtown" ... but stated that his home was actually off Lake Boone Trail.

Yes, we had a good chuckle at this, as we often do at similar situations -- especially when it comes to slight exaggerations. ("I love living in Wake Forest. I can be in downtown Raleigh in 10 minutes!")

But truth be told, we've all done it. In fact, I started a new job this week off of Airport Boulevard. With little to know traffic, it's probably a 25-minute commute (which I don't think is bad). But I caught myself saying things like, "Yeah, it's only about 15 minutes to work ... WITH TRAFFIC!"

But I digress.

Part of these spatial confusions COULD be because we don't always what is what or where is where.

Which brings us back to Downtown.

In my discussion with Tim, we wondered what ACTUALLY should be considered the boundaries of Downtown Raleigh TODAY ... knowing that perception is reality and that such boundaries are fluid and pliable over time.

William Christmas' 1790s original design for Raleigh consisted of "400 acres and included five public squares," the largest of which was Union Square and sat in the middle. (The site of the Capital Building.) But note that this was essentially ALL of Raleigh; no need for a "downtown" or such. However, the original street boundaries were creatively named "North, East, South and West" streets.

Fast forward a bit to the early 1900s, and the "suburbs" of Oakwood (not yet "Historic") and Glenwood are now places just outside downtown. As this map overlay shows, the "city limits," don't even extend out to NC A&M College (today's NC State University) -- the area around the college and out to where the fairgrounds are today were "the country." But file away the square that is the city limits in 1914.

Fast forward roughly another century ... and here we are.

But WHERE are we exactly? What constitutes Downtown?

According to this real estate site (pictured at the top of this post), the boundaries are North Raleigh Boulevard to Glenwood South (East to West) and North to South by Capital Boulevard to I-440. (Note the "nearby" neighborhoods that it mentions.) The VisitRaleigh map shows somewhat similar boundaries.

The City's map shows a slight extension to the West, a variation that is mirrored by the Downtown Raleigh Alliance.

And here is Google Map's designation, which follows similar boundaries. (It also resembles a turkey, with Boylan Heights are the head and neck, but maybe that's just me.)

So, all of this is to say that perhaps the boundaries are pretty solid and well defined ... or that perhaps the boundaries have not caught up with the reality of what makes up Downtown Raleigh today.

For instance, according to the Google Maps version, the hopping area of Glenwood South, full of bars, clubs, restaurants and young people (you know, the kinds of things that typically make up a "downtown") is outside of downtown. As is the section of Hillsborough Street connecting, say the Campbell Law School to the Alexander YMCA, Morgan Street, etc. (Not to mention NCSU.) Fletcher Park? Nope. St. Mary's School? Nah.

If it were up to me, and thank goodness it's not, I would propose that we extend the areas that we commonly refer to as "Downtown" to include Five Points to the north, State to the west, and maybe even Longview to the east. (The southern border is the one that seems the most stable as it is bordered by clear natural boundaries before getting to interstate.)

Maybe people do that anyway. Or maybe they stick to convention and history. Does any of this matter? No, but it's fun to discuss. Anyway, I have to run. I have to be in Durham. Good thing it will only take me 20 minutes.

*Not really. It was all in good fun.

Get to know your streets: Good morning and goodnight

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:40:00 +0000

One of the quaintest stretches of roads in Raleigh (at least in my humble opinion) is along Whitaker Mill, especially the part right past Five Points. Part of this is nostalgia; before my wife and I were married, she babysat for a family who lived right along Whitaker Mill. In fact, their house was at the intersection with Sunset Drive, and I had the pleasure of helping out from time to time and watching these kids grow up. Great memories, for sure.

I don't think I ever realized until recently that just down a bit (three blocks to the east to be exact) is Sunrise Avenue.

Now, I have no idea why they are named that way. My meager research didn't really find anything either. But I do love the fact that Sunset Drive is on the west side of this stretch of Whitaker Mill, while Sunrise Avenue is to the east. (Wills Avenue and Bickett Boulevard are the two roads in-between.)

Anyone have any insights into the history of these names? Inquiring minds would love to "shine some light" on this.

So long to the Ol' Joe Hayes Club

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 20:35:00 +0000

A little more than five years ago I was "tipped off*" about a somewhat unknown group called the "Ol' Joe Hayes Club," which we discussed here. The club was started by former coach Norm Sloan (though apparently Jim Valvano wanted nothing to do with it during his time in Raleigh) and was an actual dues-paying club. In the early days, the club would meet at the Player's Retreat. In more recent years, the club has met at the University Club (which is where I learned of it). The group would get together to to drink, watch N.C. State basketball and, presumably, try to figure out if Ol' Joe is still causing mischief for the Pack.

It seems that legendary State basketball coach Everett Case created the idea of "Ol' Joe" as a way to scare/motivate his players -- a "fictional bogeyman," as Tim Peeler once wrote in the Greensboro News and Record. Apparently, "Ol' Joe" roamed around Reynolds Coliseum, spooking players into doing right -- or following them around Raleigh to make sure they were on the up-and-up (and, I reckon, reporting back to Case).

"[Case] would say things like, 'Ol' Joe Hayes is watching you,' or 'he's coming to get you,'" said Peeler.

Well, Peeler recently gave us an update on the club ... it appears it is being discontinued due to low membership. Not surprising, many of the members have aged out of regular get-togethers.

"It breaks my heart we have to do this," member Van Giersch told Peeler for The Wolfpacker. "But it is time to say goodbye to our friends and bid Ol' Joe Hayes adieu."

*The club wasn't exactly a secret ... but it just was to me!

Raleigh is 46th 'Most Walkable' big city ... which means it's not THAT walkable at all

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 21:20:00 +0000

When it comes to walkability, Raleigh is pretty "mid" -- as the kids say.

According to Walk Score, Raleigh is the 46th "best" walkable big city in the United States. As it states, in the Oak City, "most errands require a car." Which sounds about right.

Raleigh earned a Walk Score of 31 ("Most errands require a car"), a Transit score of 29 ("few" public transportation options), and a Bike Score of 39 ("Minimal bike infrastructure").

In short, this means that Raleigh is "car-dependent," has "some" transit, and is "somewhat" bikeable.

(The last one, frankly, surprises me a bit as we have added a lot of bike lanes in recent years, and we have a very good greenway system. But to be fair, I feel like I rarely see people using the bike lanes. But I digress...)

As far as neighborhoods go, Oakwood topped the list as far as walkability goes, followed by College Park.

Walk Score is not the only spot to judge/gauge walkable communities. Close is another offering. And it can get granular, allowing you to zoom in to see how long it takes to walk from your home to the library, or to the supermarket. (This article on Bloomberg dives into the origin behind the mapping system.)

What are your thoughts? Are these fair assessments about Raleigh?

The key to the downtown rebound: weekends

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 19:14:00 +0000

The alleged decline of Raleigh's downtown core -- especially in the wake of Covid -- has been on our mind (and on these "pages") quite a bit over the past couple years. Fayetteville Street seems more like Fayetteville Street "Mall" these days, with fewer people milling about and less foot traffic during the weekdays -- and especially after-hours M-T.

But that could be the new norm. It doesn't necessarily mean downtown is dead or that it's even performing worse than pre-pandemic. It could just be that we have to get used to a different way that people enjoy downtowns. It's happening in other cities, too.

"We feel optimistic," Prema Katari Gupta, CEO of Philadelphia's Center City District, told NPR. "One of the things that we posit ... is that it's time to stop talking about recovery" – and start talking about what's next.

What's next may be the weekend.

A project at the University of Toronto has been tracking a trend happening across a number of North American cities (including Charlotte): Strong after-hours recovery amid still-diminished weekday populations. In fact, the numbers show that several cities are seeing their after-hours numbers higher than they were pre-pandemic.

In addition, in 25 of the downtowns studied, "the residential population was now larger than before the pandemic. That's largely the result of new housing, a continuation of a more than two-decades-long trend of revitalization in many U.S. downtowns. Those growing downtown populations run contrary to recent urban narratives focused on doom loops and crime."

"Cities are never done," says Gupta. "There are absolutely challenges, but people still want to be here."

How wild would Raleigh be if/when NC State hoops wins another national title?

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 14:03:00 +0000

NC State fans got to do something this past weekend that hadn't been done in ... oh ... [does the math] ... 37 years. Their/our men's basketball team won an ACC Tournament title AND had to go through Syracuse, Virginia, Duke and UNC* to do so, so people partied HARD at the Memorial Belltower and on Hillsborough Street.

To say people were excited is an understatement as photos and videos show. We took the kids out to revel in the, uh, revelry. I wondered if it would be somewhat low-key since NC State students are on spring break. But, no. People were having a blast. And it wasn't just students. Neighbors, Raleigh residents, alums, even probably non-NC State fans were cheering and congregating (or doing shots) around the Belltower, which was bathed in red light (per State tradition).

It was a moment I will never forget. Heck, nothing is guaranteed. (After all, again, 37 YEARS!). I am old enough to remember State winning the 1983 title, but I was too young (and too far away) to hit Hillsborough Street to celebrate. I only have the stories and photos of that time to go by to get a feel for how much fun that had to have been. I can only imagine.

“I was almost 9 and will never forget it," my friend John Prichard said. "The neighborhood went nuts and many people had their houses ‘rolled.' My mother took me to Reynolds that next day to welcome the team back. There were 15,000 people in Reynolds that day.”

But it got me thinking: how INSANE would Raleigh be IF the Wolfpack were to win another national title? The pent-up frustration would just boil over to a party the likes we've never seen, in my opinion. It would be NUTS. Let's hope we get to experience that.

*The other ACC programs to have won NCAA titles -- besides NC State, of course.

The future of Fayetteville Street

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 20:28:00 +0000

Talk about a roller coaster ride.

When I came to NC State in the mid-1990s, Fayetteville Street was an absolute ghost town (as was the rest of downtown Raleigh). But Fayetteville Street at least had "Alive After Five" going for it -- a free downtown concert series where you could count on a few things: good, local or regional bands (think Cravin' Melon, the Embers, etc.); the ability to bring drinks in a soft cooler; and the wind tunnel that was/is Fayetteville Street. But otherwise, there was really no reason to visit.

Fast forward a few years ... we moved to downtown around 2006, and you could FEEL the momentum. Heck, one of the main motivators of this site/blog was to track and celebrate all the great things that were happening to Fayetteville Street/DTR and, thus, Raleigh proper. It was fun. It was -- dare I say EXHILIRATING -- to see the progress.

And then: boom. Covid. Riots. Crime.

Maybe they're all part and parcel, or maybe not, but the fact remains that Fayetteville Street has been in decline. A street that has long wanted to claim to be "North Carolina's Main Street" is probably not even Raleigh's Main Street.

The good news is there is good energy and thought going toward how to re-reinvigorate Fayetteville Street.

Zachery Eanes over at Axios Raleigh has a great rundown on some of the plans that are on the table.

Downtown Raleigh is "not a mall nor a lifestyle center," the report notes, but it "has an opportunity to lean into the qualities that make it distinctive: its history and authenticity, its stately trees, local small businesses, its embodiment of all things North Carolina as the state capital, and its potential for innovation and risk taking."

As Eanes writes, the report has offered some immediate next steps for Fayetteville Street, including:

redesign sidewalks to encourage more outdoor dining
add artwork, signage and light installations to "bring more color to the street"
reposition City Market as a food and retail hub
make City Plaza more inviting.

There are a host of other initiatives for the street, including celebrating Raleigh's Black Business District; adding more housing in and around Fayetteville Street; and ensuring it is "clean, safe and vibrant," and much more.

There's a part of me that thinks that while this is all well and good, it will be hard to regain momentum until Raleigh is able to get a handle on crime, homelessness and empty retail fronts. Slapping some bright colors on empty buildings will only go so far. But I am at least hopeful that at least we CARE again.

What would you like to see happen on Fayetteville Street?

It ain't all bad, Raleigh

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 14:22:00 +0000

First of all, let me say "thank you."

Thank you to everyone who commented on the last post about, well, how bad it seems like things have gotten around these parts. I was pleased to see it led to some good (maybe even therapeutic?) conversations. It was healthy for me.

Some of you agree that things could be better. Some of you felt like things are ok. Some felt like things are actually, well, GREAT. (A couple of you, admittedly, said "California's where you outta be.")

This whole conversation actually had me thinking about the flippy-flip of the situation: instead of focusing on the bad things -- higher crime than normal, development that many think is out of control and tone deaf, a housing crisis, etc. -- why not think about some of the positive things going on in Raleigh?

So that's what this post is about. This is not to say that we should blindly ignore the warts. But it is an effort to suggest, "ya know, maybe it isn't quite so bad around here."

So, without further ado, here is a completely stream-of-conscious list of some really good things* going on in Raleigh these days. Feel free to debate or add to this. (I also realize a lot of this is geared toward food. So sue me.)

Conlon Family Skate Park -- The new skate park off of Capital Boulevard speaks to the ability of some great leaders to see a blank space and an opportunity. Kudos!

Smokestacks Cafe (pictured) -- It's been wonderful to see this spot in Historic Oakwood thriving!

BBQ places -- Speaking of food ... about 15 years ago, I would have argued that for a North Carolina capital, Raleigh had a dearth of barbecue spots. In fact, some of the old spots closed down. But others have moved into the space. We are so lucky to have Sam Jones, Longleaf Swine, The Pit... while still boasting Clyde Cooper's, Ole Time and others.

The return of the Rialto -- What more needs to be said about the work Hayes and others have done to save and resurrect a Raleigh icon?

Chido Taco -- Get the Quesabirria Combo. You'll thank me.

The Canes & Courage -- We have, arguably, two of the best franchises in their respective sports right here in our backyard.

Watkins Grill -- Sadlacks is gone. Oakwood Cafe is no more. So is Humble Pie. (Among others.) But in a time where we have said goodbye to some iconic, "old-school" spots, Watkins Grill still keeps on keepin' on.

IronWorks - It's easy to hate on development, but this bridge between downtown and The Great Costco/Trade Joe's/Wegman's Corridor is exciting. I'm perhaps most excited about Scott Crawford's Croatian restaurant!

Food Halls -- Yes, it's more food. But they have been a boon to the city. And they appeal to locals and visitors alike. That's a good thing.

*All just my opinion

(Image from foursquare)

Talk me down, people

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 14:41:00 +0000

When we started this little site more than 13 years ago, the city of Raleigh felt like this exciting, burgeoning place full of hope and promise. Heck, that's one reason we started this -- to capture and archive all the great things that were going on in our fair city. (To be fair, there were others that were doing that better -- most notably Jed and New Raleigh.)

In those days (and in the many, many, MANY days that followed), Raleigh felt like this gem. There were new restaurants popping up all the time. There was the promise of a revitalized downtown -- no longer "sleeping."

This is what we wrote in our very first post. It's quite apocryphal:

There is whirlwind activity going on in and around Raleigh, and the future of this fair city is at the crux.

But lately ... I dunno ... it feels like the shine has worn off ... things have lost its luster or its gusto. However you want to describe it, things just feel "off." Even those things that not that long ago were new seem worn down: City Plaza, Fayetteville Street, the science museum addition.

In short, Raleigh seems to be losing momentum. Yes, I know people are still streaming here to live. But with the recent crime issues in particular (60% more crime than last year, I believe?), and some long-standing institutions continuing to close, it just seems like we are heading into some doldrums. Sure, you can chalk it up to a Covid hangover, but it just seems larger than that. Heck, I almost laughed at the irony that the city this year brought back "Alive After Five" ("Live After Five?") -- an event that many of us find synonymous with a time when DTR was boring and sleepy. Are we heading that way again?

And that lies a major (but not complete) part of the issue: Downtown Raleigh.

(Full Disclosure: I live downtown.)

Part of Raleigh's revitalization over the past 15 years has been the investment and energy into DTR. But with seemingly rampant crime in Glenwood South, smash and grabs along New Bern Avenue (and all over the city), a manslaughter case along Wilmington Street, and so on and so on, it just feels like downtown is a place to stay away from. Which is sad. Because, as we have seen before, large, urban downtowns are -- typically -- viewed as "scary" anyway. But downtowns are vital to a region's success.

Listen -- I know progress is inevitable. A city like ours is going to have growing pains. Maybe Raleigh -- despite actually being centuries old -- is experiencing its teenage years: full of hormones and a changing body. And maybe it will grow out of it into maturity. But just like a teenager is at a crossroads where he or she has to make smart decisions, so does Raleigh. And so do we.

So, talk me down. Are things really that bad? Will things get better? And if so, how? Where do we begin?

Photo by Mike Brennan Art & Design

A Humble goodbye

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:47:00 +0000

You have probably seen the news already, but beloved downtown restaurant/music club Humble Pie is shutting its doors. It was a downtown draw back when downtown wasn't a draw at all. It was a hot brunch spot, a great dinner spot, and even a live music spot. It has seen our little city grow and evolve around it -- and it should be celebrated for helping with that. Humble Pie made downtown Raleigh a food destination. (One that even got a nod on a major network TV show, too!) That is something for sure.

We saw Covid take down some well-loved places; this doesn't appear to be related. But it hurts nonetheless. Add it to the list, I guess. Sigh.

18 Seaboard
Sadlack's
Chuck's
Porter's
Oakwood Cafe
Moonlight Pizza
518 West
Humble Pie

What other restaurants do you miss?

Welcome Rolley to Raleigh

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 15:44:00 +0000

We had the pleasure last week or so to meet Will, who is behind the Rolley Private Showroom that's going in on Fayetteville Street. We just happened to be staring inside (lurking?) on a recent walk downtown, and Will saw us and came out to say hello and talk a little bit about his space.

As the Rolley website explains, the space is designed to showcase "the best of both worlds when it comes to fashion and art. We pride ourselves on sourcing the finest local clothing designers and artists, while also curating high-end fashion pieces from around the globe." As they say, their goal is to "elevate fashion and art, and to inspire creativity, beauty, and elegance in all aspects of life." From an early look, they are doing just that.

Our services are designed to cater to your unique needs, whether you are looking for one-of-a-kind fashion pieces, handcrafted art, or bespoke creations that reflect your individual style. We offer personalized consultations with our expert stylists and art curators, who will work with you to identify your preferences and help you find the perfect pieces that meet your specific requirements.

Go online to book your appointment with Will and his group.

A Rialto re-invention

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Tue, 09 May 2023 20:11:00 +0000

Many people were very excited to see that past "A Capital Conversation" guest and general Raleigh institution Hayes Permar (and friends) have saved another Raleigh institution, The Rialto theater, and will be breathing new life into it. The plan is for it to re-open this summer.

"Neighbors, friends and I formed a group to run The Rialto," Permar wrote on Twitter. "I'm really proud of the effort put in to get it done, and now we have a ton of work ahead to keep it great. I can't wait. Thanks in advance for all the support."

From WRAL:

Permar wrote he grew up seeing movies and live performances at the Rialto and said he will bring live concerts and performances back to the theater.
In August 2022, the Rialto's longtime owner Bill Peebles said the theater will close for a short time because of his retirement and current market conditions, citing the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Rialto, located at 1620 Glenwood Ave. in Raleigh, is the oldest movie theater in Raleigh and was "among the few cinemas that have been in continuous operation since opening in 1942," according to a post on its website.

Raleigh Magazine has more:

“Raleigh owns the Rialto like Raleigh owns Char-Grill,” says Permar of the iconic theater. “Yes, it has an owner, but the smells, the sign… it’s all part of Raleigh.” … That actual owner is Stratford Properties LLC, managed by a longtime Raleigh resident Peebles since 1983, who selected Permar over a slew of would-be suitors and entered into a long-term lease with Permar May 8, which carries multiple options for extended renewals.
...
Tuning into the relevance and the history of the space, Permar promises to not only honor its past, but carry it into the future with new and exciting programs that will only stand to build on its legacy. Slated to resume events this summer, the revived Rialto, beyond showing flicks, naturally, will also bring live music back to the theater—think, for one, a jazz or bluegrass series—with an upgraded sound system.

“I am already working with Dave Rose of Deep South Entertainment about shows,” says Permar. For the podcast host himself, live podcasts are a likely play as well—“there are some traveling podcast shows that get a million listeners—certainly we can get 350 people to buy a ticket to listen live,” he says. “I could see us taping a Canes pregame podcast and then showing the game.”

But the space will, in many ways, be the same—including seating. “We’re not changing drastically,” says Permar, “not pulling the seats out. I think a live music venue with seating will set us apart.”

Congrats -- and thanks -- to Hayes!

This Little Show of Ours

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 21:43:00 +0000

Raleigh has had a sneaky good taste of Hollywood. It's certainly not LA, NYC or even Nashville, but for a city our size, we can puff our chest out -- even just a little bit.

We previously tracked the fact that the short-lived (but quite good) sitcom "The Unicorn" not only was based in Raleigh (though not filmed here) but included A LOT of fun Raleigh references.

Connells t-shirts!

RDU!

Brookhaven!

Duke! ACC basketball!

Since "The Unicorn" is no more, at least we have Ellyn Daniels to thank for whetting our appetite. Her show, "This Little Show of Mine," was filmed and produced during an 18-month span where the actress lived in the City of Oaks during the pandemic.

Writes Raleigh Magazine:

You’ll be able to recognize local gems and landmarks throughout the series as Daniels’ character strolls down Hillsborough Street past Jubala Coffee, visits the Carolina Ballet (fun fact: Daniels is close friends with Carolina Ballet’s Zalman Raffael), overlooks Boylan Bridge or roams around her house nestled in Cameron Park. … And while Daniels would’ve loved to see Hayley hitting up the DTR nightlife scene and taking the stage at Goodnights or Duke Energy Center, filming during 2020 meant working with a more limited selection of settings (but maybe we can contend to see those spots in a second season?!).

We haven't watched it yet, but can't wait to dive into it to see what landmarks show up! "This Little Show of Mine" started on YouTube before getting picked up by Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

Water water everywhere ... finally?

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 19:46:00 +0000

Some 15 years ago we put together a little Downtown Raleigh "wish list" that included a number of lofty ideas, such as:

Downtown grocery store(s)
Movie theatre
Retail
Independent bookstores
Doggy parks
and more

The good news is that we can actually check the box on several (if not most) of those items.

But down toward the bottom of our list were the words "water feature" -- more specifically, "aquarium/lake or pond." The idea being that many of the great cities have access to water close by. Either they are on the coast, or they have a river running through it. Neither of those are an option for Raleigh, which is not only land-locked but bereft of major rivers or creeks.

Of course, there's always the "man-made" option -- like they did down in "San Antone." While it looks like the idea of creating canals in Raleigh may not be an option, all hope for some H20 may not be lost.

According to this RAL Today post, a water option for kinda downtown still has potential -- and we would not have to look so far away as Texas for inspiration. (And, in essence, it appears leaders are saying, "hey, we already have a part of town that floods at the slightest hint of rain. Why not leverage that!?")

Plans are still being evaluated for the development of a waterfront park along Crabtree Creek. A team at NC State presented case studies and a site analysis to help the city visualize what the project could look like. The study cites a variety of existing greenspaces that the new park could resemble, including Little Sugar Creek Greenway in Charlotte, NC and Falls Park in Greenville, SC.
The city is also considering undergoing a stormwater study to better understand how to make the park storm resistant, as the area frequently floods when it rains.

In fact, Walkable Raleigh is seeking public input in the form of a survey to find out what types of features and activities people would want in a waterfront park. Feel free to participate in the survey here.

PBR Cowboy Bar announces Feb. 9 grand opening at Fenton

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 14:44:00 +0000

On Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, Fenton will officially welcome guests for the first time to Sports & Social and PBR Cowboy Bar– two national powerhouse names in dining and entertainment and fastest growing concepts in the country.

Grand opening festivities will kick off Thursday, Feb. 9, and continue throughout the weekend with a packed lineup of live music, entertainment, and events for the entire community including one of the largest, most exciting watch parties in the region for the big game on Sunday, Feb. 12. Full hours of operation and event details can be found by visiting www.sportsandsocial.com/cary and www.pbrcowboybar.com/cary.

Thursday, Feb. 9
4 p.m.: SPORTS & SOCIAL OFFICIALLY OPENS to the public for the first time. Reservations are available online through OpenTable.
10 p.m.: PBR COWBOY BAR OPENS to the public for the first time.

Friday, February 10
11 a.m.: Sports & Social opens for lunch.
4 p.m.: ‘THE PLACE TO HANG AFTER WORK’ HAPPY HOUR – The Triangle Region's newest Happy Hour at Sports & Social is debuting with celebratory pint glasses, live music, and a chance to win big including a 90” flat-screen TV.
8 p.m.: PBR Cowboy Bar opens + PBR BUCKIN’ BIRTHDAYS – Join us on the second Friday of each month where pre-registered guests celebrating their birthdays can enjoy free swag, special permission to cut the line to the bull, and more.

Saturday, Feb. 11
11 a.m.: Sports & Social opens for lunch.
8 p.m.: PBR Cowboy Bar opens.
8 p.m.: UFC 284 WATCH PARTY HOSTED BY UFC STAR GILBERT BURNS – Sports & Social will be hosting a free watch party for the full pay-per-view fight card on its 42-foot LED media wall. VIP tables will be available by visiting www.sportsandsocial.com/cary.

Sunday, February 12
11 a.m.: Sports & Social opens for lunch.
3 p.m.: BIG GAME BASH – Sports & Social will be hosting its first Big Game Bash watch party showing the biggest football game of the year on its 42-foot LED media wall. Come early for a pregame experience you'll definitely want to be a part of with a live drumline, cheerleaders, DJ, and a remote broadcast from ESPN 99.9 The Fan. The first 300 people to reserve their FREE VIP ticket will receive early entry and reserved access at Sports & Social, exclusive access to PBR, nacho bar, free Super Bowl squares with giveaway prizes, and more. Learn more at www.sportsandsocial.com/cary.
8 p.m.: PBR Cowboy Bar opens

Sports & Social will be keeping the energy going all month long with two events the following weekend you won’t want to miss:

Saturday, Feb. 18: MARDI GRAS LIVE! – an immersive Bourbon Street experience, right here in the heart of the Triangle. Enjoy live jazz music, entertainment, custom hurricane cocktails at every bar and all the beads. One lucky winner will receive a trip to New Orleans during Jazz Fest. VIP tickets will be available for $10 and includes private access into PBR Cowboy Bar, Mardi Gras swag, beignets, and an exclusive Hurricane special.
Sunday, Feb. 19: #BRUNCHLOVE – Mark your calendars for Sports & Social’s can’t-miss brunch experience every Saturday and Sunday beginning February 19 featuring its famous #brunchtails table drinks and menu favorites like avocado toast, savory breakfast skillets, and signature Chicken & Bliss.

RAISING THE SPORTS BAR

Sports & Social offers fans an immersive sports entertainment atmosphere, the next best game-watching experience outside of a stadium or arena. The 19,000-square-foot, two-level space will be highlighted by a state-of-the-art 42-foot LED media wall enables guests to watch multiple games and sporting events at once. Game days will feature an electric environment with elements such as emcees and DJs, live fan cams, competitions and games, and industry-leading audio and visual displays including music and light effects. Guests can also enjoy live music, a wide variety of interactive social games, and special events throughout the week.

Sports & Social’s menu, by James Beard Award-nominated Chef John Suley, features an upscale take on traditional bar fare with a variety of appetizers, salads and bowls, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and more. Guests will be able to enjoy a full menu for lunch and dinner as well as a can’t-miss brunch experience on the weekends from the venue’s made-from-scratch kitchen. Menu favorites include Crispy Kataifi Wrapped Shrimp, Cacio e Pepe Arancini, the Southwest Bowl, Truffle Mushroom Flatbread, Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, and Beef Barbacoa Tacos.
Sports & Social’s curated beverage menu features specialty cocktails such as the Cinnamon Smoked Old Fashioned, Carolina Cooler, and a variety of its famous Signature Crush Drinks including the Orange Crush, Tequila Crush and Paloma Crush. The TAVERN at Sports & Social, a signature bar area on Sports & Social’s first level, will offer guests an expanded menu of specialty beverages including elevated wine offerings, high-end scotch, whiskey and bourbon selections, curated high-end craft cocktails and a craft beer selection.

AN ELECTRIC COMBINATION OF “COWBOY COOL” AND BIG-TIME ENTERTAINMENT

Born from the toughest sport on dirt, the iconic PBR Country Bar lives up to its legendary namesake, Professional Bull Riders, which embodies toughness, determination, and a true spirit of independence. PBR Cowboy Bars fuse that spirit with first-class hospitality, bringing an authentic country western experience that marries an electric combination of “cowboy cool” and big-time entertainment.

The 4,300 square-foot venue at Fenton, located next to Sports & Social on the second level, will feature the area’s only professionally endorsed mechanical riding bull, multiple signature bars, private VIP booths, and 1,300 square feet of outdoor patio space, offering an incredible venue for celebrating special occasions and hosting private events. The soul of PBR Cowboy Bar comes alive through its great entertainment, the best in country music, and its rich traditions. PBR Cowboy Bar venues have welcomed some of the biggest names in country music including Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, and Justin Moore. Additionally, each PBR Cowboy Bar recognizes Freedom Friday, a night of appreciation once a month for all military personnel, veterans, first responders and public service members.

Enjoy a tasty app in February for a GREAT cause with Cape Food Seafood Company

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 21:31:00 +0000

Throughout the month of February, Cape Fear Seafood Company (CFSC) locations in North Carolina will donate $1 from the purchase of every Surf & Turf Chimichurri App to The Trawick Pediatric Cardiology Research Fund at Duke Children’s Hospital. The funds will be matched by CFSC’s founders for a total of $2 per appetizer sold going towards research. The fund was established to further the research for thousands of children born each year with congenital heart defects.

One of those children was Ande Trawick, daughter of CFSC founders Evans & Nikki Trawick. Ande was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, meaning the left side of her heart was underdeveloped. Today, Ande is a happy, typical girl thanks to wonderful medical support and three open heart surgeries.

“Having gone through this journey with Ande, I can’t tell you how in awe we are with the medical breakthroughs that have happened for congenital heart defects in children,” said Evans Trawick, who started the fund with his wife, Nikki. “But there is still much more work to be done. Ande has a bright future; however, there are so many more kids out there who continue to need the medical resources and focus to fight and live normal, happy lives. This is just one way we can contribute to that fight.”

Since its founding in 2018, The Trawick Pediatric Cardiology Research Fund has raised more than $150,000 toward congenital heart defect research at Duke Children’s Hospital. To learn more about it, or to donate, please visit https://www.capefearseafoodcompany.com/trawick-fund .

Cape Fear Seafood Company offers three locations in Wilmington and two in Raleigh. CFSC will soon be opening a third Raleigh-area location when its Wake Forest restaurant opens in the Spring of 2023. Cape Fear Seafood Company specializes in fresh, regional seafood; its shrimp and grits have been recognized by Our State magazine as one of five “must try” shrimp and grits dishes in the state of North Carolina. To find the location nearest you, please visit https://www.capefearseafoodcompany.com/ .

Fourteen years later ... IT'S HAPPENING!

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 19:14:00 +0000

Honestly, I kinda forgot about this, but WAAAY back in July 2008, I proposed that the (still new) Carolina Hurricanes should honor Raleigh's hockey heritage by paying homage to the old Raleigh IceCaps. You know the ones ... played in Dorton Arena? Tickets were like $5?

I won't go as far as to say that had there been no Raleigh IceCaps that there would today be no Carolina Hurricanes. But it's not ridiculous to assume that the IceCaps made the transition to East Coast Hockey League to National Hockey League just a little smoother. (And, remember, the Canes needed all the help they could get in those early years.)
The Caps called Dorton home from 1991 until the arrival of the Canes. (The IceCaps moved to Augusta, Georgia.) The IceCaps had a loyal following, and some of its players chose to remain in the Raleigh area and make this their home. The names of folks like Lyle Wildgoose and Kurt Kleinendorst still conjure up good memories for many old IceCaps fans.

Anyway, it turns out IT'S HAPPENING ... sorta ... in warmups, at least.

The team will host its inaugural North Carolina night at PNC Arena and wear Raleigh IceCaps sweaters during warmups in a nod to the city's hockey heritage. ...

The team said the night will serve as a celebration of North Carolina. A barbecue sandwich with Cheerwine sauce and hushpuppies will be added to the menu, along with banana pudding.

You're welcome.

Our Guest Gift Guide: Liz McLean

noreply@blogger.com (M. Lail) — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 19:49:00 +0000

We are blessed to publish a guest holiday gift guide again this year. And thank you to Liz McLean for offering up these ideas this year! Liz is the Executive Director of the Holt Brothers Foundation, a 22+ year old non-profit that supports children who have a parent or guardian with cancer.

Thanks for contributing, Liz!

On to her WONDERFUL local gift ideas...

For Your Mom Gift Guide - If your Mom is anything like mine, she wants something traditional with a hip fun flare. Head to downtown Raleigh's The Flourish Market and snag your Mom a patterned sweater from a boutique where every product has a purpose. With over 200 impact driven brands you'll keep your Mom in style while gift giving with purpose.

I love gift giving ornaments and locally based artist Susie Silver's are some of my favorites. Susie's Ornaments are a labor of love as each shape is made from an original art piece. These will become a treasured part of her holiday decorating.

As a kid growing up in Raleigh, my Mom always made sure that we spent time at the North Carolina Museum of Art and put a value on seeing art while traveling away from home. Liza Roberts' new book captures the creative spirit and legacy of North Carolina artists.

For Your Dad - Does your Dad spend a lot of time outside like mine does? Then these are some great gifts. I love the insect repellent products from the local brand, Murphy's Naturals. They smell great and do the job!

Snag him a hat from one of your favorite watering holes. One of mine is the Longleaf Lounge.

My dad often grills 12 months out of the year and loves chicken wings, so I've also picked out this dry rub from The Pit for chicken wings, veggies and more.

For Your Brother - I'm a big music lover and always trying to share my music choices with my younger brother. The upstairs at The Pour House has an amazing record shop that is available for in person shopping as well as online shopping. Grab your brother a new record this holiday season. Bonus points if it's from a local band like this new album from American Aquarium.

My brother's affection for bourbon and whiskey has been around for a while, but after a 2021 trip to the Kentucky bourbon trail, he likes trying out new to him bottles of dark spirits. Visit your local ABC store and grab a bottle of North Carolina's own Cook's Mill Whiskey.

Every good cocktail needs a snack, so toss in a variety of Carolina Kettle Chips.

For Your Sister - I don't have a sister, but if I did, I know just what I would get her. I'd check out what sort of gently used barware from The Green Chair Project's, Shop Chairity that I would pair with a bottle of wine or bubbly from downtown Raleigh's Short Walk Wines.

East Raleigh's Current Wellness is an oasis of wellness just east of the bustle of downtown. Offering a fitness studio with inclusive movement classes, a wellness bar, and other services such as acupuncture, physical therapy, intuitive eating coaching, massage and more. Snag a gift card to be used on classes and services and, while you're there, check out great gifts from their retail selection.

For Your Bestie - These Susie Silver minis are the perfect gift to add some beauty and art to a desk, bookcase, or perfect nook in the home of your favorite friend and collector.

I love a beauty product, especially when it's made locally like this cleansing oil with blue tansy from Anne's Apothecary.

What better item to get you ready to clear out the old and welcome in the new than this beautiful seven chakra smudge stick from Edge of Urge? this is one of my favorite things to gift year-round too!

For Your Coworker - I've never met a Liz Kelly mug I didn't like. They're beautifully made right here in downtown Raleigh and this dogwood and cardinal mug is a nod to some of our state's most notable features.

No mug is complete without coffee and for those slow holiday mornings where you maybe just need one cup of coffee (not five) these instant coffee packets from Black & White Coffee are some of my favorites.

Ky's Kandles are some of my favorite candles out there and I love the names that she gives each candle.

For The Host - These beautiful napkins from The Flourish Market are a collaboration from a brand that takes art from creatives with disabilities and turns it into beautiful textiles primarily for fashion. With such a beautiful story these napkins are a great host gift.

We all love a sweet treat this holiday season and a little egg nog from NC State's Howling Cow and assorted Christmas cookies from local bakery, Yellow Dog Bread are another great way to say "thanks for having me."

ABOUT LIZ MCLEAN
Liz is a lifelong Raleigh resident and a graduate of Meredith College with a passion for her community and the people of North Carolina.  She has over fourteen years of professional experience in public relations, brand awareness and client engagement and has worked with a variety of clients including political candidates, Fortune 500 companies and local non-profits.

Liz enjoys helping others understand how to apply their talents and is constantly looking for ways to grow and improve her own understanding of her gifts. She can often be found at Dix Park or out and about in Downtown Raleigh.