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Axios Raleigh
Axios chats with Kingfisher co-owner Michelle Vanderwalker
Durham cocktail bar — and Triangle favorite — Kingfisher is back with new food, new drinks and new wares. State of plate: The James Beard-nominated bar, known for its locally-sourced ingredients, took a two-week hiatus to revamp its menu and make new cups, plates and bowls.And co-owners Sean Umstead and Michelle Vanderwalker (who makes the dinner- and drinkware) have expanded their downtown Durham presence to include a burger joint (QueenBurger) and a neighborhood bar (Queeny's). Axios spoke with Vanderwalker for our Local Limelight series. Responses have been edited for Smart Brevity.🦐 Favorite place to eat: Seraphine. 🏊 What you think the...
Raleigh springs have gotten significantly warmer over the past 50 years
Data: Climate Central; Chart: Axios VisualsRaleigh's spring seasons are getting warmer, Alex Fitzpatrick and Alice Feng report from a recent Climate Central analysis — a trend that reflects human-caused warming, the group says.Why it matters: Much of the seasonal climate change discussion is focused on summer and winter, when temperatures are typically at their annual high and low extremes. But the "between seasons" are affected, too.By the numbers: Springtime in the Triangle warmed by 4.5°F to 62°F on average between 1970 and 2023, per the climate research and communications nonprofit.That's compared to warming of 2.2°F on average across nearly 230...
Trader Joe's opening a North Raleigh grocery store
Popular grocery store Trader Joe's has made it official that it will expand to North Raleigh. State of play: The new store — located at 8111 Creedmoor Road in the Brennan Station shopping center — will be the city's second store and the Triangle's fifth overall. The owner of the shopping center had hinted that a Trader Joe's was planned, but up until now Trader Joe's would not confirm that.The grocer's original Raleigh location, located off Wake Forest Road near I-440, opened in 2009, after the chain opened a Cary location (2006) and a Chapel Hill location (2007).What's next: Trader Joe's said it hopes to open the new Raleigh store this year. Sign up for Axios Raleigh for free.
The Triangle's suburbs continued to see rapid growth since 2020
Data: U.S. Census Bureau; Chart: Axios VisualsThe Triangle has been the 10th fastest-growing region in the nation since 2020, as the area continues to be reshaped by a surge in people moving to Sunbelt communities. Why it matters: Much of that growth is coming to the Triangle's booming suburbs and outlying counties, where rapid housing construction and job growth is transforming once-small towns like Apex and Holly Springs into some of the fastest-growing places in the country. By the numbers: Since 2020, the Raleigh-Durham-Cary combined statistical area has grown 5.6% to 2.4 million people, the 10th fastest rate in the...
Figulina brings creative pastas and apertifs to Raleigh's Warehouse District
For more than 30 years, Humble Pie delighted Raleigh eaters from the Warehouse District before closing last fall. Dig in: In its place a familiar face in the local culinary scene has stepped in, offering a colorful concoction of pastas and drinks.Figulina — the debut restaurant from chef David Ellis, who most recently worked under Ashley Christensen at Poole's Diner — opened its doors for the first time in the last week of February. What to expect: When you walk in the door, the cozy traces of Humble Pie remain, including the green and white checkered floor and string lighting, though...
Could Epic Games file for an IPO? PitchBook says it's a strong candidate
Cary-based Epic Games has been a privately held company since it was founded by Tim Sweeney in 1991. Yes, but: With billions of dollars in funding and high-profile partnerships with companies like Disney and Sony, the tech company has long been viewed as the region's best bet for a blockbuster initial public offering.Taking Epic Games — most recently valued at $31.5 billion — public would provide a flood money to its investors and longtime employees, many of whom are based in the Triangle. Driving the news: PitchBook, a data provider that tracks venture capital, named Epic as one of 20 venture-capital...
Feds recommend $140 million in funding for Chapel Hill bus rapid transit route
Bus rapid transit momentum is building across the Triangle after Chapel Hill's North-South Bus Rapid Transit Project was recommended to receive nearly $140 million in federal money. Why it matters: As dreams of commuter rail fade due to high costs, the region is increasingly turning to bus rapid transit, which provides bus-only lanes as well as faster and more frequent service. The proposed North-South Bus Rapid Transit Project in Chapel Hill. Photo: Town of Chapel HillState of play: Construction is underway on the first of four-planned bus rapid transit routes in Raleigh, going eastward from downtown down New Bern...
Starbucks is moving into a long-empty storefront on Chapel Hill's Franklin Street
The Starbucks on East Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill will relocate to a bigger, more prominent location across the street, on the ground floor of the Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery building.Why it matters: The intersection of Franklin and Columbia is one of the most high-profile spots in the college town. But it's a stretch with high rent that's seen its share of retail turnover over the years.The new Starbucks space's former tenant at 100 E Franklin St. — Midici Italian Kitchen — closed in summer 2019. The place has been vacant since.Between the lines: The current downtown Chapel Hill Starbucks is at 103 E. Franklin, next to Raising Cane's. Details about the move were not immediately clear.A Starbucks representative did not respond to Axios' request for comment.What they're saying: "We're very excited to fill that anchor space, but no word on yet on will the doors will open," Stephanie Cobert, director of marketing and engagement for Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, told Axios."By moving from its current location, Starbucks will have more room to serve customers," she added.
After expansion to three taprooms, Raleigh's Gizmo Brew Works is filing for bankruptcy
Gizmo Brew Works, a Raleigh brewery with taprooms across the Triangle, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to court documents. Why it matters: Founded in 2013, Gizmo expanded significantly in the past few years — going from one location in Raleigh to opening taprooms on Chapel Hill's Franklin Street and in Durham's University Hill development. Driving the news: The brewery filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday, court documents show. Gizmo — known for beers like the Raleigh Red red ale and Carolina Pine India pale ale — reported assets between $100,000 to $500,000 and debts between $1 million and $10 million....
2024 kitchen trends: White paint is out, earth tones are in
Data: National Kitchen & Bath Association 2024 survey; Chart: Axios VisualsAfter years of muted farmhouse-style kitchens, 2024 ushers in an earthier era, with greens, blues, natural wood tones and warm metals.Why it matters: The kitchen sells the house! And even if you're not selling, you might be up for a refresh.Driving the news: The National Kitchen and Bath Association's annual report, which surveyed around 600 design professionals across the U.S., reveals sleeker, warmer, more contemporary designs will dominate in the years to come.State of play: You don't need to tear out your kitchen to experiment with fresh design elements.What they're...
Triangle home prices have stayed stable with high rates. What will happen if rates drop?
Data: Redfin; Chart: Alice Feng and Jared Whalen/VisualsRaleigh home sales cooled last year as interest rates squeezed buyers and homeowners alike. But decreasing interest rates won't solve the housing affordability crisis.In fact, prices may rise when rates come down.Why it matters: Steep borrowing costs are just one part of the housing affordability equation.Lower mortgage rates could push home prices up in Raleigh and nationwide if demand surges and inventory remains tight.State of play: U.S. rates for 30-year mortgages are down from 20-year highs, but have are still hovering around 7%.Experts don't expect the Fed to make interest rate cuts until...
NC Chamber calls out two GOP candidates as potential harms for business climate
The North Carolina Chamber, one of the state's most pro-business lobbying groups, is expressing concerns about some results in the GOP primaries. State of play: The chamber warned in a blog post the day after the primaries that electing potentially extremist candidates (on either side of the aisle) could create a chaotic environment for businesses operating in the state. The big picture: North Carolina was named the top state for business the past two years by CNBC.What they're saying: "Moderating voices in each caucus will be replaced with partisan ideologues that cause division and create controversy," the chamber wrote. "This...
Madre is set to open a new bar in New Anthem's former Raleigh taproom
The New Anthem brewery space in the downtown Raleigh's Smoky Hollow development won't be empty long.Driving the news: Tyler Helikson, a co-founder of the local fast-casual chain Happy + Hale and owner of Madre, is doubling down on Kane Realty's Smoky Hollow, one of Raleigh's newest mixed-use developments.Madre, which is adjacent to the New Anthem space, announced on Instagram Thursday it will open a bar there late spring.What's next: A name hasn't yet been revealed, but it is being described as a "neighborhood bar" with cocktails, a draft beer and wine list and snacks.Catch up quick: Less than a year after it opened, the highly rated Wilmington brewery New Anthem's Raleigh expansion closed, with its owners citing its debt load and the lingering effects of the pandemic hurting its ability to stay open.
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