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Raleigh Local News Updates on Development – Dining – Sports and Community Notes

Raleigh keeps moving. From major rezonings and new restaurant openings to sports headlines and civic updates, here’s a curated roundup of what’s happening across the Triangle—quick hits you can scan and share.

Development

Raleigh City Council approved towers up to 37 stories in North Hills, set to become the tallest buildings Raleigh has ever seen—surpassing PNC Plaza (33 stories). Nearby residents raised concerns about disruption and sightlines. (WRAL)

Empire Properties, which also manages The Pit and Raleigh Times, purchased four downtown parcels on Wilmington and Hargett streets, including the former Taz’s Supermarket site. (Triangle Business Journal)

Kane Realty acquired a Midtown parcel adjacent to North Hills and The Exchange for $72M, signaling further North Hills expansion. (Triangle Business Journal)

Wake County and Marbles Kids Museum announced a $4.7M expansion with new exhibit space and a rooftop courtyard featuring a kid-size racetrack. Construction begins next month.

Openings & Closings

Campo Taco Co. is now open at Rockway near Dix Park, joining Benchwarmers and BK Pilates. Expect street tacos, bowls, birria ramen, and more.

Raising Cane’s opens its first Raleigh location on Hillsborough Street (former Varsity Theater) on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Grand opening perks include merch, chicken, and a community check presentation for Second Chance Pet Adoptions and Marbles.

Mac’s Speed Shop closed its Five Points location near Rialto Theatre. (Raleigh Magazine)

Coming soon to Chapel Hill: Géos Tavern and Oyster Bar from restaurateur Giorgio Bakatsias, with Michelin-starred chef Daniel Jackson as partner.

Pets & Health

Wake County approved a 54,600-sq-ft animal center in eastern Wake, increasing capacity by 50%. Construction targets 2027. (WUNC)

Wake County Libraries now offer heart monitors at all 23 locations, borrowable for three weeks thanks to a new donation.

Listen

J. Cole drops his seventh album, “The Fall-Off,” on Friday, Feb. 6—with hopes for a new Dreamville Festival announcement. (Billboard)

Streaming changed live albums, but Raleigh’s venues keep the real thing alive—revisit the classics and catch shows around town. (The Guardian)

Sports

NC Courage named Mak Lind head coach. Season opens Saturday, March 14 vs. Racing Louisville.

The Super Bowl gets local: Patriots QB Drake Maye (UNC/Charlotte ties) and Seahawks LB Drake Thomas (Wake Forest/NC State) headline NC connections. (WRAL)

NC State women’s basketball standout Zamareya Jones unwinds by building Lego sets—about 100 and counting. (The News & Observer)

Traffic & Civic

The “peanut-shaped” intersection on Lake Wheeler Road is happening—adding sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit upgrades to create a complete street near Dix Park. (Raleigh Downtown)

Raleigh will implement new indoor smoking laws in April, expanding authority to prohibit smoking in public places and government-owned buildings and grounds. (The News & Observer)

Try This

Vidrio launches a Chef’s Table dinner series starting Wednesday, Jan. 28, featuring Southern France flavors.

National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day is Saturday, Feb. 7. Andia’s (Raleigh + Cary) serves café-inspired specials 8–11 a.m.

Ranked & Fun

Raleigh lands No. 5 on the Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities list, buoyed by job growth.

Texas Pete is North Carolina’s most popular hot sauce, per Instacart data.

The Wordle word that stumped the most players in 2025? “Bongo.” Ready for redemption? (TODAY)

Lunar New Year begins Tuesday, Feb. 17—Year of the Fire Horse, symbolizing movement, change, and opportunity.

Coming Soon

Activate brings laser rooms and a Mega Grid of LED tiles to Midtown next to the PGA Store. (Triangle Business Journal)

Biz

DraftKings filed a permit for an office at Raleigh Iron Works, adding to the project’s growing tenant mix. (Raleigh Magazine)

Stay in the know

Have tips, photos, or story ideas? Send them to our Submissions Page and keep Raleigh’s pulse beating strong.

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

#BusinessNews #CommunityUpdates #DoRaleigh #DoRaleighNews #downtownRaleigh #LocalOpenings #News #NorthHillsDevelopment #RaleighNews #RaleighRestaurants #RaleighSports #TriangleNews #WakeCounty

DoRaleigh Jan 6

Is Wegmans Using Facial Recognition in Raleigh Stores?

As conversations around privacy, surveillance, and retail security continue to grow nationwide, many Raleigh shoppers are asking an important question: Is Wegmans using facial recognition technology in its local stores?

The short answer—for now—is there is no public confirmation that Wegmans is using facial recognition at its Raleigh-area locations. However, recent reporting out of New York City has raised understandable concerns and curiosity.

Below is what we know, what we don’t, and why this matters for shoppers across the Triangle.

What Sparked the Question?

The discussion stems from a recent article published by Gothamist detailing how Wegmans is using facial recognition technology at select New York City stores, including locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

According to Wegmans, the technology is deployed only in a small number of stores deemed to have an “elevated risk” due to prior incidents involving theft, safety concerns, or disruptive behavior.

Key takeaways from Wegmans’ statement:

Facial recognition is used case by case, not chain-wide It is intended to identify individuals previously flagged for misconduct Stores using the technology are required to post clear signage under NYC law The goal, according to Wegmans, is to protect employees, customers, and operations

What About Raleigh Wegmans Stores?

Wegmans currently operates popular locations in the Triangle, including: Raleigh, Cary, and Morrisville

As of now:

No Raleigh-area Wegmans stores have posted facial recognition signage No public statements confirm use of the technology in North Carolina North Carolina law does not currently require the same level of disclosure as New York City

That said, Wegmans has made it clear that facial recognition could be deployed at any store it considers “high risk.” Whether any Triangle locations fall into that category has not been disclosed.

Why This Matters to Raleigh Shoppers

Even if facial recognition is not currently active in local stores, the issue raises broader questions for residents:

🔍 Privacy & Transparency

Many customers feel uneasy about biometric data being collected—even when intended for security. Clear disclosure and transparency are key to maintaining trust.

🏙️ Different Rules, Different Cities

New York City has strict regulations requiring signage and public notice. North Carolina does not. That means customers here may not receive the same level of visibility into how in-store technology is used.

🛒 Retail Security vs. Civil Liberties

Retailers nationwide are balancing theft prevention with growing concerns about surveillance, misidentification, and potential bias in facial recognition systems.

What Should Raleigh Residents Do?

If this issue matters to you, here are a few proactive steps:

Ask store management directly about surveillance technology policies Watch for signage updates at store entrances Follow local and state policy discussions around biometric data and consumer privacy Engage city and state leaders if you believe stronger disclosure laws are needed

The Bottom Line

At this time, there is no evidence that Wegmans is using facial recognition technology in Raleigh stores. However, the company’s confirmed use of the technology in New York City suggests that future expansion is possible, particularly if Wegmans determines a store faces elevated risk.

As technology continues to shape everyday experiences—from shopping to commuting—Raleigh residents should stay informed and engaged in the conversation around privacy, transparency, and consumer rights.

Stay tuned to DoRaleigh for updates as more information becomes available.

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

Post your community News, Events, and you can request placing a Paid ad on our Submissions Page.

#ConsumerPrivacy #FacialRecognitionTechnology #GroceryStoreSecurity #News #NorthCarolinaPrivacyLaws #raleigh #RaleighPrivacyConcerns #RaleighShoppingNews #RetailSurveillance #RetailTechnology #TriangleNews #Wegmans #WegmansRaleigh

DoRaleigh Jan 2

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!

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