Mastodawn

Raleigh News and Notes From Last Week Openings, Closings, Jobs and Community Highlights

If you’re trying to keep up with everything happening across Raleigh, you’re not alone. From restaurant openings and closings to community milestones, airport updates, and local wins, here’s a quick roundup of Raleigh news and notes from last week—all in one place.

Liberation Station Reopens on Hill Street

Liberation Station Bookstore, North Carolina’s first Black-owned children’s bookstore, celebrated its grand reopening Monday on Hill Street in Raleigh. The event drew a large and supportive crowd, highlighting the community’s continued commitment to literacy, representation, and small businesses.

Supporters can donate through the bookstore’s GoFundMe or join its membership program to help sustain operations. (CBS17)

New Rotating Sushi Bar Coming to Northeast Raleigh

Raleigh’s sushi scene is expanding. Shinjuku Station, known for its rotating sushi bar, is set to open at Capital Marketplace in northeast Raleigh. This will be the brand’s second North Carolina location, joining High Point, with additional locations planned statewide.

The menu will feature nigiri, specialty rolls, and classic sushi favorites. (Triangle Business Journal)

Recycle Your Christmas Tree Through January

Give your holiday tree a second life. Wake County Parks is accepting undecorated Christmas trees for mulching through January 31. Trees can be dropped off at designated park locations throughout Wake County.

Restaurant Comebacks to Watch in 2026

Who’s making a return to Raleigh’s dining scene? Several longtime favorites are planning comebacks, including 42nd Street Oyster Bar and other beloved local establishments.

Triangle Business Journal recently published a roundup of the most anticipated restaurant comebacks heading into 2026—and it’s shaping up to be a strong year for Raleigh food lovers. (Triangle Business Journal)

240,000+ Jobs Available on Our Job Board

Looking for a new opportunity in 2026? There are 240,000+ active job listings right now on our Job Board, with openings across healthcare, education, manufacturing, tech, and more.

Roles are available for all experience levels—now’s a great time to explore what’s next in your career.

RDU Airport Parking Changes Begin January 2

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is making changes to on-site parking. The Park Economy 4 lot will close to travelers starting January 2, 2026, and will become employee-only parking.

Travelers can use other on-airport options, including the expanding Economy 3 lot, which will add new spaces, shuttles, and EV chargers. Reservations are encouraged via ParkRDU.com before traveling.

Beasley’s Chicken + Honey Announces Closing Date

Another downtown staple is saying goodbye. Beasley’s Chicken + Honey will close its doors on South Wilmington Street on Sunday, January 25.

Open since 2011, the restaurant has long been a go-to lunch spot and gathering place in downtown Raleigh. Chef and owner Ashley Christensen plans to focus on other restaurants in her portfolio, including Poole’s and Death & Taxes.

Cary Duo Wins Big at National Gingerbread Competition

A Cary mother-daughter team brought home major honors at the National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville.

Heather Nadeau earned second place in the adult category, while her 11-year-old daughter, Bailey, took first place in the youth division—an impressive showing for Wake County talent. (WRAL)

Zest Cafe & Home Art Permanently Closes

After nearly three decades in business, Zest Cafe and Home Art has permanently closed. The North Raleigh staple, open since 1995, cited ongoing pandemic impacts and rising costs.

A closing sale is scheduled for January 6, and many Raleigh residents have shared memories and well-wishes following the announcement.

Stay in the Loop With DoRaleigh News

From neighborhood milestones to business openings and major closures, Raleigh continues to evolve week by week. Check back often for more Raleigh news, notes, and local updates you won’t want to miss.

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!

#BusinessNews #downtownRaleigh #localBusinessNews #News #raleigh #RaleighJobs #RaleighNews #RaleighNewsNotes #RaleighRestaurants #RaleighUpdates #RDUAirport #TriangleNews #WakeCounty

DoRaleigh Jan 1

New Laws in North Carolina Starting January 1st — What Residents Need to Know

As the new year begins, North Carolina will see a wave of legislative changes affecting everything from health care licensing and taxes to birth certificates, definitions of sex, and professional certification requirements. These laws, passed during the 2025–2026 legislative session, will impact daily life for residents, businesses, and families across the state.

Here’s a breakdown of the most significant new North Carolina laws going into effect on January 1, 2026 — and what they mean for you.

State Tax Reduction Continues

One of the most immediate changes for taxpayers is a reduction in North Carolina’s income tax rate, which will fall from 4.25% to 3.99% on January 1. This ongoing tax rollback is part of a multi-year plan to make North Carolina more competitive and keep more money in residents’ pockets.

Healthcare Workforce Reforms

North Carolina is enacting laws designed to expand and modernize the healthcare workforce. These reforms aim to make it easier for medical professionals — including internationally trained physicians and physician assistants (PAs) — to get licensed and practice in the state. The changes are intended to improve access to care, especially in underserved communities.

Gender Recognition and Protections

A high-profile law taking effect January 1 formally defines only two sexes — male and female — in North Carolina’s legal code. Under this law:

Government policies, regulations, and official definitions must recognize biological sex as either male or female. Gender identity will not be treated as legally equivalent to biological sex under state law. This change also influences policies related to gender-affirming care and school activities.

This law was passed by the legislature and took effect after an override of the governor’s veto.

More Accessible Birth Certificates for Adopted People

Under Senate Bill 248, adopted individuals will now have easier access to new birth certificates that do not reference their original adoption status. The updated law allows registers of deeds to issue a certificate that reflects the adoptee’s current familial relationship without revealing sensitive adoption details.

Workforce Licensing and Professional Certification

Several laws taking effect will impact professional licensing and workforce development, including:

Accounting Workforce Development Act — This law adjusts education and experience requirements for becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), offering alternate paths to certification. Various reforms making licensing more flexible and aligned with modern workforce needs.

State Investment Modernization

House Bill 506 creates a new structure for managing North Carolina’s state pension investments, shifting decision-making from the State Treasurer to a multi-member investment authority. The goal is to increase returns and modernize long-term fiscal strategies.

Budget, Technical, and Corporate Changes

Other changes effective January 1 include:

Budget technical corrections to help clarify existing laws and appropriations. Updates to the Business Corporations Act, including provisions for electronic wills and modern corporate procedures.

What This Means for North Carolinians

These laws collectively signal a shift in policy across taxation, healthcare accessibility, legal definitions, professional licensing, and administrative modernization. Residents should:

Review tax withholding and planning based on the new income tax rate. Understand changes to gender recognition law if participating in school, healthcare, or legal systems. Check professional credential requirements if pursuing licensing changes. Update estate planning documents to reflect changes in the acceptance of electronic wills and certifications.

Stay tuned to DoRaleigh for future updates and analysis of how these changes affect you and your community.

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!

#birthCertificateAccessReform #BirthCertificateLaw #CityOfRaleigh #DoRaleigh #GenderRecognitionLaw #genderRecognitionLaws #HealthcareReformNC #healthcareWorkforceReforms #incomeTaxReduction #legislativeSession20252026 #NCLegislation #NCPolicyGuide #NewLaws2026 #News #NorthCarolinaLaw #professionalCertificationChanges #ProfessionalLicensing #raleigh #RaleighNews #TaxChangesNC

DoRaleigh Dec 3

DoRaleigh Weekly News Brief – Openings, Travel Updates, Local Eats, and Holiday News

🛍️ Opening

Gorjana, the Southern California jewelry brand known for its everyday mix-and-match pieces, will open its first Raleigh location in North Hills next to True Food Kitchen. Expect a bright, Laguna Beach–inspired storefront. We’ll share the opening date as soon as it’s announced.

☕ Coming Soon

Drift Coffee is joining The Weld, a new development near Dix Park, becoming its first retail tenant. The café will bring favorites from its Wade Avenue location into a nearly 1,500 sq. ft. space when it opens next summer. (Raleigh Magazine)

✈️ Travel

RDU is not among the 40 U.S. airports facing federal flight reductions, but some delays may still occur due to nationwide scheduling impacts. It might be a good time to consider Amtrak for regional travel. (PBS)

🩺 Health

COVID-19 vaccine appointments are now open at five Wake County clinics, including the Wake County Public Health Center and Departure Regional Center. Residents can book appointments online.

🎁 Holiday

The City of Raleigh’s Elf Squad Toy Drive is underway, collecting new and unwrapped toys for children from newborn to age 13. Donations are accepted at community centers and partner sites through Dec. 10.

📚 Announced

Liberation Station, Raleigh’s trailblazing children’s bookstore, will celebrate its grand reopening on Dec. 29 at its new Hill Street home in East Raleigh.

🎸 Concert

Guns N’ Roses will rock Carter-Finley Stadium on July 23, 2026 as part of their international tour. Presale signups open Wednesday, Dec. 3 — get ready for “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “November Rain.”

🦃 Seasonal

Gov. Josh Stein pardoned Krispy and Kreme, two very lucky turkeys who will now live at Naylor Farms in Fuquay-Varina. Fun fact: 2022’s pardoned turkeys, Chocolate and Chip, still live at NC State. (ABC 12)

🐶 Closed

The Moore Square dog park has been closed since August, but a completely redesigned dog space is expected by January 2026. Until then, Raleigh has plenty of other pup-friendly spots to explore.

🎨 Arts

A tiny Italian “museum” perched over 7,500 ft in the Alps requires a six-hour hike just to reach — and it contains no art at all, just one panoramic window. Luckily, Raleigh’s museums are much easier to access.

🍕 Open

Trophy Brewing has officially opened its massive new Five Points taproom, located in the iconic blue warehouse near Ajja. Expect specialty pizzas, fresh salads, and signature Trophy brews across 22,000 sq. ft.

🐓 State

Two eastern NC chickens — Gobble and Waddle — were pardoned by the president this week and are headed to NC State to join Chocolate and Chip. According to the White House, Gobble loves Bojangles biscuits, while Waddle prefers Cook Out Cheerwine floats. (N&O)

🏈 Sports

NC State faces UNC this Saturday at Carter-Finley, with the Wolfpack eyeing a fifth straight rivalry win. Preview what both teams are bringing to the field. (N&O)

🏢 Biz

North Carolina is giving Apple four more years to meet hiring and investment goals for its promised RTP campus. The 2021 incentive package — worth up to $845 million — remains unclaimed as Apple has yet to begin the $552M hub. (N&O)

🍜 Eat

Saigon Kitchen is now open on Blount Street in the former Mofu Shoppe space, serving pho, banh mi, rice bowls, and other Vietnamese favorites.

🍔 Travel

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay has opened Bobby’s Burgers in RDU Terminal 2 across from Dunkin’. The Crunchburger—topped with potato chips—is already catching travelers’ attention.

📖 Read

The 2025 National Book Award winners have been announced across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, YA, and translated literature. Whether you read indoors or out, now’s a great time to pick up something new. (NPR)

🕊️ History

On Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus—a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Explore more local and national history at Raleigh’s museums. (National Constitution Center)

🌳 Outdoors

A new 59-acre county park—Kellam-Wyatt Park—is coming to the Raleigh-Knightdale border in 2027. Residents can expect extensive walking trails, one of the most requested amenities. (WUNC)

🦃 State

North Carolina continues to lead the nation in turkey production, edging out Minnesota in pounds raised. And yes, the presidentially pardoned turkeys were raised right here. (WUNC)

☕ Open

Haraz Coffee House, a Yemeni-style café, is now open on Western Boulevard and serving until 11 p.m. Try the Saffron Adeni tea or the Jubani spiced coffee. (Axios Raleigh)

🍽️ Eat

North Hills’ modern Indian restaurant Tamasha has been named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants of 2025 — after also being listed among the most beautiful dining spaces. (N&O)

✈️ Travel

Breeze Airways is adjusting its RDU routes, swapping its LAX flight for a new service to Orange County, CA, and adding flights to Stewart, NY; Bangor, ME; and Vero Beach, FL next year. (TBJ)

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!

#carterFinleyStadium #doraleigh #localRaleigh #ncState #news #northHills #raleighDevelopment #raleighEvents #raleighHolidayGuide #raleighNews #raleighOpenings #raleighRestaurants #rduAirport #wakeCountyNews

DoRaleigh Nov 19

How to Protect Yourself from USPS, FedEx & UPS Delivery Scams in Raleigh

As online shopping and home deliveries increase across Raleigh, so do fake texts and emails pretending to be from USPS, FedEx, or UPS. These messages often look legitimate, using subject lines like “Delivery Failure Notification” or “Package Delayed—Action Required.” Their goal? To trick you into clicking a malicious link.

Once clicked, scammers may ask for your address, credit card info, or login details. In some cases, simply tapping the link can install malware designed to steal passwords for banking, email, and shopping accounts.

How to Spot a Delivery Scam

Watch for:

Misspelled URLs or email addresses (Example: uspus.com instead of usps.com) Messages demanding immediate action Unexpected “delivery issues” for packages you weren’t expecting

If anything feels off, it probably is.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message

Do not click any links. Do not reply.

Instead:

Use the official USPS, FedEx, or UPS app to confirm real tracking updates Forward fake USPS emails to spam@uspis.gov Delete suspicious texts—on iPhones, swipe left and choose “Delete and Report Junk” You can also forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM)

Staying alert protects your identity, your financial information, and your devices from harm.

Follow DoRaleigh.com for daily updates on government meetings, local festivals, and community happenings — your one-stop guide to everything Raleigh!

#consumerProtection #deliveryScams #deliveryscams #fedex #news #onlineSafety #raleigh #raleighAlerts #raleighNews #raleighSafetyTips #scamPrevention #scamalert #ups #usps

DoRaleigh Oct 9

The City of Raleigh Government Event Guide Thursday October 9th Edition

Stay connected and informed with Raleigh’s city government! Whether you’re a resident, business owner, or community advocate, these public meetings and workshops are the best way to engage in local decision-making. Here’s what’s happening across Raleigh government this Thursday, October 9, 2025.

🔹 Development Stakeholders Quarterly Meeting

🕘 9:00 a.m.

📍 Community & Workshops

The Development Stakeholders Meeting brings together city planners, developers, and community partners to discuss upcoming projects, zoning updates, and growth strategies shaping Raleigh’s future.

🔹 Fire Prevention Week at A.E. Finley YMCA

🕘 9:00 a.m.

📍 Community & Workshops

Celebrate Fire Prevention Week with the Raleigh Fire Department! Families are invited to learn about home safety, emergency preparedness, and fire prevention techniques through hands-on activities and live demonstrations.

🔹 BPAC Community Outreach Committee

🕑 2:00 p.m.

📍 Boards & Commissions

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission’s Outreach Committee meets to review public engagement efforts, safety campaigns, and new mobility initiatives across Raleigh’s greenway and bike lane network.

🔹 Raleigh Transit Authority Meeting

🕞 3:30 p.m.

📍 Boards & Commissions

The Raleigh Transit Authority discusses GoRaleigh service updates, route changes, and funding opportunities for expanding public transportation options citywide.

🔹 Environmental Advisory Board Meeting

🕓 4:00 p.m.

📍 Boards & Commissions

Join the Environmental Advisory Board as they review sustainability projects, community resilience programs, and green infrastructure plans for a cleaner, more sustainable Raleigh.

🔹 Human Relations Commission Meeting

🕕 6:00 p.m.

📍 Boards & Commissions

The Human Relations Commission works to strengthen equity, inclusion, and civil rights initiatives across the city. This month’s meeting will highlight community partnerships and ongoing diversity programs.

Why It Matters

These meetings reflect Raleigh’s ongoing commitment to transparency, civic engagement, and public collaboration. Residents are encouraged to attend, listen, and share their input—your voice helps shape the city’s growth and future policies.

Stay Engaged

Follow DoRaleigh.com for weekly updates on city meetings, government announcements, and community events across the Triangle.

#BoardsAndCommissions #CityCouncil #CityOfRaleigh #CityOfRaleighGovernmentEventGuide #CivicParticipation #CommunityEngagement #DoRaleigh #events #LocalGovernment #News #PublicMeetings #RaleighEvents #RaleighGovernment #RaleighNews

DoRaleigh Aug 22

Here’s What Went Down at the August 19, 2025 Raleigh City Council Meetings

The Raleigh City Council packed a lot into their August 19th sessions, with updates ranging from rezoning approvals to stormwater management, Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs), and upcoming fall planning. If you missed it, here’s a breakdown of the biggest highlights.

Key Highlights from the Meeting

Sidewalk Petition Process Changing Council discussed ending the long-standing sidewalk petition process and moving toward a new funding system. Staff recommended eliminating assessments on future street improvement projects and instead prioritizing sidewalks through direct budget allocations.

Citizen Advisory Councils (CACs) Council unanimously agreed to:

Provide CACs with free monthly access to City facilities within their boundaries

Ensure free technology access to support streaming meetings

Develop succession planning opportunities to boost leadership and participation

Fall Retreat Scheduled Mark your calendars! The Council will hold its Fall Retreat on September 27, 2025, from 9am to 4pm at Marsh Creek Community Center. Key topics: legislative agenda, bond discussions, affordable housing, and “big ideas” visioning.

Public Comments Spotlight
Residents voiced concerns on:
Fourth Ward neighborhood events
Rezoning case Z-12-25
Stormwater runoff and impervious surfaces
Homelessness and nonprofit funding
Creek system improvements
CAC-related questions

Approvals and Policy Updates

Annexations & Rezonings Council approved six of six annexation requests and three rezoning cases, including Wicker Drive, Bragg Street, and Forestville Road.

Historic Cemeteries & Advisory Boards
The Historic Cemeteries Advisory Board will now merge with the Historical Resources and Museum Advisory Board. Several boards also received updated names to better reflect their missions, including the Raleigh Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Fair Housing Advisory Board.

Hospitality Tax Fund
Staff presented the 2025–2026 Hospitality Tax Fund Competitive Process overview, with $23.5 million available in funding.

ERP System Modernization
Council heard updates on Raleigh’s move toward a modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system aimed at improving efficiency and supporting growth.

Security Investments
Funding was approved for contracts to enhance security at Downtown Parking, Moore Square Park, and Gipson Play Plaza.

Community & Upcoming Engagements

District Meetings & Events

Councilor Branch – District meeting on Aug. 21, 6:30pm at Biltmore Hills Community Center

Councilor Silver – District meeting on Aug. 28, 6–7pm at Millbrook Exchange Center

Councilor Patton – District meeting on Sept. 10, 6–8pm at Local 919; also requested a report on childcare challenges

Councilor Jones – District meeting on Sept. 10, 6–8pm at La Cucina; hosting a Book Club Sept. 13, 9:30–11:30am at Oberlin Public Library

Councilor Harrison – requested report on protecting legacy trees during development

Committee Meetings Safe, Vibrant, and Healthy Communities Committee – August 26, 9–10am Transit & Transportation Committee – September 25

What’s Next?

The next public hearing is set for September 2, 2025, at 7pm, covering major rezonings (including Glenwood Ave and Tryon Rd), a street closing on Willow Street, and text changes to pedestrian passages and stormwater regulations.

Raleigh residents are encouraged to attend district meetings, committee sessions, and the September 2nd public hearing to stay engaged in shaping the city’s future.

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