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Axios Raleigh
La Farm Bakery to open its first Raleigh locations with two new spots
La Farm Bakery, which opened in Cary in 1999, will debut a location in downtown Raleigh this month and another in North Raleigh this summer.Why it matters: Run by James Beard-nominated baker Lionel Vatinet, La Farm is one of the longest-running bakeries in the Triangle.What to expect: Apart from its popular sourdough and other fresh breads, expect pastries, sandwiches, salads and coffee.The downtown Raleigh location, opening on May 22, will be a pop-up at 122 Glenwood Ave.The location is described as "semi-permanent," and La Farm's lease runs through the end of the year. But the bakery said it hopes to extend the lease long term.It'll open daily, from 7:30am-7pm.La Farm's other Raleigh location, which will open later this summer, will be in Creekside Crossing Shopping Center at 404 E. Six Forks Road.The 3,200-square-foot space will have a full-service bakery and cafe.
A new three-story library and civic center opens this fall on Carrboro's Greensboro Street
Construction is wrapping up on the new library and civic center in downtown Carrboro. The facility is expected to open in this fall. Why it matters: This will be a community gathering spot and the newest library for Orange County.Zoom in: The three-story public building will also house Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources; Orange County Skills Development Center; WCOM Radio; a teen center; and performance/multipurpose uses.Context: Situated on a former municipal parking lot next to Open Eye Cafe, the 50,000-square-foot library development, called the 203 Project, has been under construction for about two years.The new facility will have a...
Jaguar Bolera opens in Raleigh on Saturday and features duckpin bowling and a Top Chef-led kitchen
Jaguar Bolera, a restaurant featuring duckpin bowling, a menu curated by a "Top Chef" contestant and an extensive bar list, will open in the Raleigh Iron Works development this weekend, its operator Robert Thompson says. Why it matters: Jaguar Bolera is a new business from Thompson, a national restaurant entrepreneur who popularized the idea of "eatertainment" with his previous venture Punch Bowl Social. Raleigh will be Jaguar's first location, with another planned in Atlanta. It is also one of the largest tenants to open in the new $150 million Raleigh Iron Works project, taking up more than 20,000 square feet,...
Raleigh City Council's 4-year terms should be decided by voters, group argues
A group of Raleigh residents is trying to push Raleigh City Council's recent decision to move to four-year terms onto the ballot this November. State of play: The Raleigh City Council earlier this month approved the change to four-year, staggered terms starting in 2026 without putting it before voters as a referendum.The decision passed 5-2, with members Mary Black and Megan Patton voting against it only because they preferred it go to a referendum.Yes, but: The decision could still wind up before voters if a petition gets 5,000 signatures within 30 days of May 13, when the city published a...
Raleigh's former head planner Mitchell Silver wants another shot at guiding the city's growth
Mitchell Silver wants another shot at helping guide the direction of Raleigh's fast-paced growth with a run for the Raleigh City Council's District A seat this fall. Why it matters: Silver was an influential city planner in Raleigh for nearly a decade, helping write the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, before leaving the city in 2014 to run New York City's parks department, one of the largest parks departments in the world. Between the lines: Silver, whose son and two grandkids also live in Raleigh, always planned to return to the City of Oaks after his stint in the Big Apple. For...
The Wolfe & Porter bar in downtown Raleigh has added a bourbon-focused bar downstairs
Downtown Raleigh's Wolfe & Porter will host a grand opening celebration this weekend after a significant renovation earlier this year. What to expect: The bar — named after the North Carolina authors Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry's real name William Sydney Porter — has added about 3,000 square feet to its space on Morgan Street.The bar's owners renovated its front patio and back deck. The hope is to use it as a more casual space for beer, wine and cocktails. Downstairs, it has added a completely new bar called The Cellar Liquor Bar, which is quieter and focuses on bourbon and classic cocktails. The Cellar Liquor Bar is open Thursday-Saturday (6pm-12am) and is also available for private events. Driving the news: Wolfe & Porter will celebrate the renovations with a "tiki fest" on Saturday starting at 4pm, serving up classic tropical cocktails, like painkillers and jungle birds, and live music and food trucks. Location: 905 W. Morgan St., Raleigh
UNC-Chapel Hill's Board of Trustees is moving funding away from diversity programs toward public safety
UNC-Chapel Hill's Board of Trustees voted Monday to redirect $2.3 million from funding diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the university toward public safety efforts, WUNC reported.Why it matters: The diversion of the money comes a month after the entire UNC system moved to repeal and replace a diversity and inclusion policy in favor of a policy that it says maintains "institutional neutrality."The replacement policy the UNC system is considering does not include outlined responsibilities for diversity staff. It calls for individual schools to comply by changing job titles and position descriptions in those areas and to note "reductions in...
See inside this Raleigh "jewel box" featured in House Beautiful
Few people are as skilled as North Carolina designer Charlotte Lucas when it comes to balancing ambition and restraint in a home renovation. That's exactly why one Raleigh couple called on her to transform their Georgian home into something visually adventurous, but comfortable enough for family gatherings. The artful balancing act landed the Raleigh home in the coveted pages of House Beautiful for its recent color issue.You'll find soothing bleached white oak paneling and chairs with curved backs and deep seats in the family room, and another space adorned in "larger-than-life de Gournay cranes and a shimmery, textural gold ceiling," the feature reveals. The intrigue: You might have seen another one of Lucas' designs recently. The South of France home in "The Idea of You" is a house she designed in Atlanta. Bri's thought bubble: I'll be thinking of this lacquered butterfly chest used as a sink in the powder room for a long, long time. Take a look around. Photo: Chris Edwards Photo: Chris Edwards Photo: Chris Edwards Photo: Chris Edwards
What's happening in the Triangle this Mother's Day weekend
There's a lot going on in the Triangle this Mother's Day weekend. Here are a few ideas to get you started:💜 Attend a Prince-themed art show at PS37 in downtown Durham on Saturday, featuring 100 Prince-inspired artworks, live music and food. 🛍️ Go shop on Sunday at Ajja Market, a pop-up of vendors, music, snacks and drinks at Ajja's Five Points restaurant in Raleigh. 🪕 Journey out to Saxapahaw for the town's Saturday music series.🪁 Fly a kite at Morrisville's Kite Festival on Saturday at Cedar Fork Park. 🎉 Celebrate Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Dix Park on Saturday, where there will be food trucks and performances. 💃 Listen to music and eat in downtown Cary at its annual Ritmo Latino Festival on Saturday.👗 Head to the Mother's Day Pop-Up Market at the Longleaf Hotel in downtown Raleigh, featuring vintage clothing, local jewelry, chair massages and more.
JTI, a Japanese tobacco company, will hire 100 people as it moves its U.S. headquarters to Raleigh
JT International U.S.A. plans to relocate its U.S. headquarters from New Jersey to Raleigh, bringing more than 100 new jobs to the city.Why it matters: JTI, a fast-growing tobacco firm, is the latest in a growing list of Japanese companies to put down roots in North Carolina.This spring, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the state to highlight the increasing business ties between Japan and North Carolina.Zoom in: JTI's local offices will open later this year at Kane Realty's One North Hills Tower at North Hills in Midtown, according to a JTI statement. The company is hiring for roles in...
The Raleigh City Council is moving to 4-year, staggered terms starting in 2026
The Raleigh City Council will move to four-year terms and staggered elections starting in 2026, the council decided in a vote this week. Why it matters: The council had debated this potential move for years. One of the biggest reasons for switching from two-year terms to four: A desire for more continuity in city government.What they're saying: "I think in terms of the governance complexities of managing a city of 500,000 people, it's really important to have some continuity," Raleigh council member Jane Harrison said before the vote. "When we look at ordinances that have to go from city council...
Concerns from N.C. Chamber and Republican appointees delays new PFAS rules
A regulatory board for environmental standards in North Carolina is delaying efforts to set new rules for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as "forever chemicals," in ground and surface water.Why it matters: The state has not yet set enforceable rules for the presence of PFAS in surface water despite evidence showing they can have adverse health effects, the News & Observer reports. State of play: The rules would regulate PFAS discharges at their source, like an industrial facility on a river, to lessen the amount of water that needs to be treated at local water utilities. Local utilities...
North Carolina's average teacher salary last year was $56,559, ranking 38th among states
Data: National Education Association; Map: Alice Feng/AxiosTeachers in the state made an average $56,559 during the 2022-2023 school year, according to an analysis by the National Education Association.North Carolina's average teacher salary ranked 38th among all states, a drop from No. 36 the previous year.Why it matters: Raises for teachers have been a priority for North Carolina politicians during recent legislative sessions — and the analysis shows most states are increasing the average pay to teachers.State of play: In the state's last budget, passed last fall, teachers were given on average a raise of 7% over the next two years...
Demolition has begun on the 1960s-era Administration Building in downtown Raleigh
Demolition work is underway on the state government's Administration Building in downtown Raleigh, as the state prepares to build a new education campus at 116 W. Jones St. Context: The state legislature earmarked around $400 million to build a new education campus on the site of the Administration Building, part of a larger effort to replace older state government buildings around downtown Raleigh.The new education campus will be home to the UNC system, the N.C. Community Colleges System and the Department of Public Instruction.Built in the 1960s, the Administration Building was home to governor's office staff and other executive branch agencies, which have had to find new offices amid demolition.What's next: Construction is expected to begin on the education campus later this year, according to the Downtown Raleigh Alliance.
La Mala, a Mexican-inspired cocktail bar, will open in downtown Raleigh
La Mala, a Mexican-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant developed by the group behind La Santa, is "coming soon" to downtown Raleigh.The latest: The owners of La Mala and La Santa said on Instagram that the bar/restaurant will open in the former Clouds Brewing space, which Clouds vacated in March.This will be La Mala's second Triangle location, with the other in downtown Durham.What to expect: La Mala in Durham emphasizes its cocktail menu, which features eight margaritas (including one that costs an eye-popping $80), a selection of mezcal and classic cocktails like Palomas and old fashioneds.The food menu includes tacos, ceviche and other small plates. The dining room also typically has a DJ.Address: 126 N. West St., Raleigh
Wake County is proposing a lower tax rate for its $2 billion budget
More than half of Wake County's $2 billion proposed budget would go toward education, if county commissioners approve spending priorities put forward by county manager David Ellis. Why it matters: The county is responsible for a variety of public spending, including Wake County Public School System. It also sets the tax rate that landowners in the county pay. Driving the news: Property values soared by 50.6% across Wake County between 2020 and 2024 — the largest-ever increase during a four-year re-evaluation cycle. To take that growth into account, Ellis proposed decreasing the current tax rate from 65.7 cents per $100...
How to get cheap concert tickets in Charlotte May 8-14
Cheap concert tickets are back, but only for a week.State of play: Live Nation's annual Concert Week runs May 8-14, meaning you can score $25 tickets for more than 5,000 shows without extra fees.How it works: Find participating events at livenation.com/concertweek when the site goes live at 10am on May 8.Select a show and look for the "concert week promotion" ticket type.Participating artists with Triangle-area shows include:Hank Williams Jr. (May 17, Coastal Credit Union Music Park)Niall Horan (June 7, Coastal Credit Union Music Park)Bryson Tiller (June 9, Red Hat Amphitheater)Maggie Rogers (June 19, Coastal Credit Union Music Park)Alanis Morissette (June 27, Coastal Credit Union Music Park)Third Eye Blind (July 21, Coastal Credit Union Music Park)311 (Aug. 10, Red Hat Amphitheater)Hootie & The Blowfish (Sept. 13, Coastal Credit Union Music Park)Vampire Weekend (Oct. 9, Red Hat Amphitheater)Find more participating artists here
Playgrounds in five Durham parks closed for lead testing
The city of Durham closed playgrounds and other areas in five of its parks while it conducts additional soil lead tests.Why it matters: Chronic lead exposure is dangerous, especially for children. A 2022 study by a Duke graduate student found some parks in Durham that were previously home trash incinerators or used ash as infill between 1900 and 1950 had lead concentrations higher than EPA standards.Driving the news: Durham's parks and recreation department began fencing off additional sections of Northgate, Walltown, East Durham, East End and Lyon parks in recent weeks amid additional testing.EPA standards for lead concentrations in the...
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