by Anna Beth Adcock | May 3, 2023 | Buzz, May 2023
Shopping small makes a big difference for our city.
“Small businesses do big things,” … and shopping small is significant. Through May 6, celebrate Triangle Small Business Week by using those hard-earned dollars to support a host of locally owned spots around town—from retail to restaurants to coffee shops to gyms and beyond.
Fun fact: Small businesses account for two-thirds of the new jobs in our nation annually (!). And Raleigh ranks high as a coveted locale to follow your entrepreneurial dreams—see the city’s sweet spot as No. 3 as Best Place in America for Small Business, top 10 City for Small Business Friendliness, and the 2,500 startups (and counting) established in the Triangle region, to name a few solid stats.
“Small businesses are critical to the growth and vitality of our region and the country, as they are important economic drivers,” says Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Marketing and Communications Marc Dinitz. “The Triangle’s small businesses contribute to our wonderful quality of life, and make this area not only an enticing place to visit, but also a destination for transplants who have made the Triangle their new home.”
In celebration of this week, find a slew of special events/resources created to support small business—and #ShopSmall throughout the Triangle, natch. Here’s 10 we’ve covered this year to get you started.
Bright Black
Lighten up and foray into the Bull City for a whiff of this family-owned candle company, complete with a creator’s studio and scent showroom (!). So lit.
Esteamed Coffee
Situated inside a bright and airy quaint cottage, this Downtown Cary hot spot serves up your fave java, smoothie and snack selects while supporting a pretty sweet cause. How’s that for brewing esteem!
Fifi + Talbot
Compassion is always in style here. With an emphasis on eco-authenticity, this women’s boutique boasts jewelry, bags and fits fit for the ethical fashion queens. #Slay!
Golden Flora
This flower spot is budding its business via grab-and-go bouquets for weddings, events or whatever you’re feelin’ like nabbing flowers for. There you grow!
Heir Raleigh
From the mind of NC State grad Sophie Wiseman-Floyd comes durable, high-quality and cute jewelry that elicits a classy vintage vibe. BRB, adding everything to cart.
House of Swank
Got snark? Rep some rad custom Raleigh apparel via this humorous local brand’s conversation-starting NC-themed tees. … And we love some sassy style!
Montgomery Violins
*Cue tiny violin.* Find renowned violin dealer, maker and restoration shop —founded by veteran instrument maker and restorer John Montgomery—making sweet music on Morson Street in Oakwood.
Sk1ll Fitness Studio
Got skillz? Book a class at this recently opened group fitness gym for a slew of ops for your sweat sesh: indoor cycling, cardio, Pilates, dance aerobics. Step this way!
Rocks + Acid Wine Shop
Here to rock your (wine) world is award-winning wine sommelier Paula de Pano (aka grape-gifted wine educator and one of the South’s leading wine professionals), whose solo vino venture is keeping things fizzical in Chapel Hill. rocksandacidwineshop.com
Zen Yoga Center
Stretch into your best mental and physical self via this studio’s meditation and mindfulness classes—gentle, Zen flow, yin, restorative, ashtanga, core flow and more—or nab a spot in a workshop/teacher training to lean a little further into your practice. Namaste!
For our full list of local women-owned businesses, click here; for our full list of local Black-owned businesses, click here.
by Anna Beth Adcock | Apr 25, 2023 | Buzz, May 2023
The first day of the week looks, well, weak.
Mondays, amiright? While we all dread the end of the weekend (hey, Sunday scaries)—there’s a new trend emerging for all the corporate babes attempting to avoid burnout. Enter “Bare Minimum Mondays”—essentially putting personal well-being over work (what a concept!). Think going for a run, reading a book or getting your nails done rather than hopping right to your email inbox bright and early on a Monday morn.
From the mind of self-employed digital creator Marisa Jo Meyes, the concept of #BareMinimumMondays leans into fielding some of the stress away from the start of the workweek and setting boundaries with the powers that be a la office culture—see also quiet quitting and “The Great Resignation.”
So is it slacking or self-care? You be the judge. … While stress is no joke—studies from the American Institute of Stress have revealed 94% of people report feeling stress at work, with two-thirds suffering related sleep-loss and ~1 million Americans missing work each day due to stress—only time’ll tell if the bare minimum beats the grind. Will procrastinating the source of your anxiety amp it up or mellow out what’s got your mind in a muddle from 9–5… and at 3am? #MentalHealthMonday or bust!
by Anna Beth Adcock | Apr 25, 2023 | Eat, May 2023
Sink your teeth into locally grown fruits and veggies.
It’s time to trash the idea of scrunching your nose at the serving of veggies on your plate. … Agriculture is North Carolina’s No. 1 industry (!), and we’ve got a slew of locally grown goods—making “vegetables delectable” without having to douse them in ranch or take a trip to the Hidden Valley.
And when you buy produce in season, it’ll taste even more radishing. We tapped our friends at Got to Be NC for the lineup of local produce you can find at the State Farmers Market this month (see caption), or at the other three state-supported markets—Asheville, Colfax, Charlotte—in addition to local pop-up markets scattered around town and the state. And keeping clean eating un-beet-able, buying produce in-season comes with an array of benefits—from cost to nutritional value and taste. Keepin’ it fresh, indeed! gottobenc.com
by Anna Beth Adcock | Apr 25, 2023 | Buzz, May 2023
Stretching through the heart of NC State and Meredith all the way into Downtown Raleigh, Hillsborough Street carries a key part of Raleigh’s culture—from college student staples (see: Insomnia Cookies) to vital businesses and pieces of our city’s culture (all hail the original Char-Grill!).
Cycle Logic
Calling all blokes with spokes! Spin into Raleigh’s oldest bike shop to prepare for your next road, greenway, trail and city adventure on wheels. Let’s put the foot to the pedal. @cycle_logic
Jubala Coffee
There’s no beans about it. With friendly baristas and beans roasted by Black and White Coffee Roasters of Wake Forest, your espresso experience is sure to fuel your daily grind. Bottoms up! @jubalacoffee
Man-Mur Shoe Repair Store
No trouble is found a-foot when you stop in this friendly shoe repair/retail shop that’s been helping poor unfortunate soles for over 35 years. Totally laced it! @manmurshoe
Oak City Tattoo
“Aww, you guys made me ink!” Get tatted at a shop sure to leave a (permanent) mark. Happy inking! @oakcitytattoo
Progressive Graphics
“Providing quality prints and embroidery since 1989,” this spot can create a custom design for your event, race, fam reunion, and anything in between. ICYMI, custom is cute! @progressivegraphics
Theatre in the Park
It’s time for the curtain call. Perch in the park for live theatrical productions—from Shakespeare and drama to comedy and musicals. Major props, indeed. @theatreinthepark
The Gregg Museum
Ready to curate your creativity? Find NC State-affiliated “collecting and exhibiting” museum encouraging discovery and thinking outside the box. @ncstategreggmuseum
Aloft
For lofty and lavish views and artsy accommodations, book a stay-and-play at this mod hotel mere steps from Village District and right across from NC State. How’s that for sleeping in style? @aloftraleigh
Mitch’s Tavern
Venture up these storied stairs for history, draft brews and filling food (sandwiches! soups! gumbo! chili!). There’s nothing like a trip to the tavern. @mitchstavern.raleigh
by Anna Beth Adcock | Apr 25, 2023 | Eat, May 2023
The Hippo Wine Bar will be bringin’ a ton of good vibes to DTR.
Santa must’ve heard us singing “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” because we’re getting a late gift in the form of Downtown’s new sip spot, The Hippo Wine Bar. The drinking haven will occupy the former Short Walk Wines space and will specialize in natural, low-intervention and estate wines with an intent to appeal to wine connoisseurs and novices alike.
The concept should open any time now (🤞)—and will boast a laid-back ambiance via neutral tones and pops of pink for a modern “trendy but not too trendy” atmosphere.
“I hope it draws in people who are intimidated by wine,” says Sorena Dadgar, one of the owners of The Hippo Wine Bar. “Wine isn’t supposed to be intimidating. We’ll have some fun drinks, and we’re hoping to broaden people’s horizons on what’s new and trendy in the wine world.”… Can we get a hip(po) hip(po) hooray?! hippowine.com
