A local biz disguises mini art galleries as vending machines at businesses throughout Raleigh, offering a treasure trove of creative oddities.
Forget the soda and snacks—Loot Drop Art Club is serving up a new kind of vending machine. Recently dropped at five locales throughout Raleigh, these transformed treasure troves are art nouveau’d into mini art galleries with limited-run goodies from local artists and makers— everything from stickers and pins to tarot fortunes and handmade toys and games.
“It’s like a side hustle that makes everybody else’s side hustle go a little further,” emphasizes co-owner and writer Ben Loomis. “We’re spending thousands of dollars every year on the local art economy to beef it up and give people more places to sell their stuff.”
Taking inspo from Portland, Oregon’s La Venderia—“the godmother of creative vending in the U.S.,” as Loomis describes it—he and business partner Bunny Eaton realized the East Coast potential. What began as coin-operated machines in Boone has since grown into 24 full-size vending stations across Asheville, Charlotte, Hickory and now Raleigh.
To bring these machines to life, the duo sources used ones online and transforms them into “works of art themselves” at their Foothills Community Workshop in Granite Falls, muses Loomis. Up until the Raleigh drops, in-house lead artist Eaton handpainted all the machines—with new local additions at Wake-N-Bakery featuring a whimsical design by local artist Damalis, Le Dive’s jungle-esque exterior by Vonne Brown, and Transfer Co. Food Hall’s silly striped character by Toasty Tuna.
The facade “amplifies the vibe of the venue without just blending into the background,” says Loomis, who also notes the machines are no cost to the hosting spots. “We try to make it look like it’s been part of the environment there for a while—but still catches the eye. … They basically get a free mural, and then some extra traffic and fun for people while they’re there.”
Inside each of the Loot Drops, treasures run the gamut of goods artists commonly craft like patches, jewelry, zines, souvenirs and other novelties, explains Loomis, to off-the-beaten- path selects “giving artists a chance to flex their creative muscles and work within the parameters of vending machine products. We really love when somebody has a creative idea that’s different, that we haven’t seen before.”
Think disguised chip bags stuffed with a variety of insults ranging from mild to spicy. “We’re able to go kind of weird with it sometimes,” laughs Loomis, nodding to mystery bags of prints donning foot pics—the result of a silly dare. Functional items like nailcare products, soaps and even Wake-N-Bakery’s clay pipes are also at the ready.
Courtesy of Loot Drop Art ClubCourtesy of Loot Drop Art ClubCourtesy of Loot Drop Art Club
Curated and restocked with the help of DTR’s Munjo Munjo, the Loot Drops get a weekly glow-up via new goodies— and there’s an always-open invite for artists to submit. “New people are finding them every day,” says Loomis, who also teases in-the-works community workshops and events coming this summer. “We try to make just a little something fun in everyone’s day—something extra to discover in your built environment.”
It’s a win for the business owners too. “We absolutely love having the Loot Drop machine at Tap Yard,” says owner Zack Medford. “We are a very eclectic bar with an incredible community that supports all things wacky and weird. Loot Drop is perfect for that vibe—it’s mysterious, quirky and fun. Most importantly, it’s a brilliant way to support local artists and creative thinkers.” And who doesn’t love a local trinket? lootdropart.club
The Warehouse District’s landmark Depot Historic District is getting a glow-up. Serving up a trackside transformation that promises to redefine the district—and DTR—LODEN Development’s ambitious plan reimagines the cobblestone parking lot between the railroad tracks and Davie Street into a vibrant work-play-stay mixed-use destination.
Anchored by an eight-story 170-room boutique hotel and rooftop bar with sweeping city vistas, the rail-front revamp serves lodgers and locals alike a veritable playground to the tune of 30K+ square feet of street-level retail, complete with microshops and pop-up experiences; more than an acre of outdoor gathering spaces; and 20K square feet of elevated office space.
With a world-class design team at the helm, the project—targeted for completion by 2028—pairs place-making with preservation, with design minds behind some of the city’s most notable builds steering this next-gen revival. Think David Baker Architects and Gensler on architectural design, McAdams and Site Collaborative shaping the built environment, and The Creative Office of Joshua Gajownik crafting the brand story. The result? A thoughtful fusion of legacy and liveliness—preserving the historic Depot while ushering the Warehouse District into its next era.
Rendering courtesy of LODEN/Gensler/David Baker Architects
And thanks to dual “front door” design and a network of interwoven pedestrian pathways, the revitalized district will serve as a seamless connector for Downtown districts and destinations, from the expanded Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater to Glenwood South and up-and-coming West End—altogether linking “people, ideas and neighborhoods together,” says LODEN partner Henry Ward. “There’s real energy in this part of the city.”
Known for “activating underused spaces with intentional design and community-focused features,” LODEN will fold in a mix of layered green spaces, a public plaza and pedestrian-friendly corridors to create a true urban gathering ground. Local and regional retailers will also get in on the action, helping draw in not just hotel guests and office tenants, but neighbors, day-trippers and the afterwork crowd alike.
Gensler’s Raleigh footprint also runs deep—contributing to such major projects as Bandwidth’s global HQ, the mixed-use Bloc[83] Tower II, 400H, and the upcoming transformation of the Lenovo Center.
The bold vision for this iconic district is the latest in a wave of adaptive reuse shaping Raleigh’s urban story—honoring what was, while making room for what’s next. It’s development that preserves character without stalling progress. And with projects like The Depot, the city’s past and future don’t just coexist—they elevate each other. Keep your eyes to the sky.
Downtown Raleigh’s iconic round Holiday Inn’s future has been resurrected. Once sentenced to demolition with a sleek Kimpton on deck to replace it, the circa-1969 era-defining pillar is now closed to prep for a late 2026-slated Hotel Indigo revamp at the hands of NYC-based Tidal Real Estate Partners.
With construction set to start soon, the renovation will see a rebirth of what is arguably the most polarizing landmark in Raleigh’s lore. But love it or loathe it, it is inarguably one that, when set for demolition, saw more public outcry than any structure’s controversial fate in recent history.
Now fenced and preparing for new life, the revered retreat’s OG furniture and interiors have been hauled out. And with a rendering still in progress, Raleighites wait with bated breath to see what this modern moment will hold for the famed “hair curler”—think plans for a renovated ground-floor lounge, top-floor bar and event space with primo city views, and an updated guest experience blending Raleigh’s signature creative energy and Southern charm.
Just its third NC outpost—joining Asheville and Winston-Salem—IHG’s swanky Hotel Indigo brand blends boutique vibes with intentional design and experiences inspired by the local scene. And round hotels are nothing new to the hotelier, who counts among its portfolio such curved hospitality heavyweights as Hotel Indigo Taipei North in Taiwan and the UK’s Hotel Indigo Manchester. Similar to Raleigh’s scenario, the latter laid-back boho boutique rescued a historic Victorian building from ruin while adding on an adjoining modern 14-story rotunda tower, blending the old and new in a one-of-a-kind design that preserved the neighborhood’s history while breathing in new life.
Tidal President Ken Copeland frames the vision for DTR’s own 204-room Hotel Indigo as both bold and nostalgic, saying they’re “excited to bring Downtown Raleigh the true lifestyle boutique hotel it deserves… by restoring an iconic Raleigh landmark into the modern era.”
One Congress & State Street | Photo courtesy of John Moriarty & AssociatesHotel Indigo Manchester | Photo courtesy of Bowmer + Kirkland
Also known for its upscale developments, Tidal’s esteemed roster boasts such standouts as Nashville’s posh soaring residential and retail high-rise 1111 Church and Savannah’s dramatic and distinctive Perry Lane Hotel. On the local front, the real estate developer scooped up 1.3 prime acres of land in the Warehouse District in 2022 for just shy of $21 mill, at the time zoned for up to 40 stories—though no further plans have since been released.
Teaming up to lead the charge is local general contractor John Moriarty & Associates—no stranger to circular constructs, having helmed Charlotte’s glass-wrapped Ascent Uptown, a 33-story ellipse that similarly made a bold architectural statement on the city’s skyline. The Moriarty team is joined by Nashville-based architecture firm ESa—who also partnered on Music City tower 1111 Church, with a résumé that includes 2024-debuted Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown and Virginia’s award-winning The Bristol Hotel, to name but a few. Now, let the Raleigh fixture’s long-awaited glow-up begin.
Landing like a viral trend, e-scooters rolled into Raleigh in 2018—with no warning to city officials—instantly becoming all the rage. The pitch was simple: then just a buck to unlock, pennies per minute (read: $0.15) and skipping the sidewalk trek sans surge pricing or waiting on a ride. It practically sold itself.
While scooters are still a go-to, that pennies-per-minute ride has since scooted out of reach—with both Lime and Spin now charging $0.41/minute. Lime’s Jacob Tugendrajch says their base rate hasn’t changed since officially inking a deal with the city—one that includes a $7,500 annual permit and a 15-cent per-ride fee that helps fund programming like those colorful DTR corrals. Spin’s Austin Spademan, on the other hand, points to rising operational costs, insurance, and tariffs driving up prices for parts and replacements.
Still, two Raleigh riders recently scooted from Publix to The Avenue on Glenwood South—one on Spin; the other, Lime—and Spin came out nearly half the cost for the same distance and time. That said, both companies now offer ride passes with upfront costs but better value—ideal for daily commuters (see “Pass Perks”)—with a bonus no $1 unlock fee for either.
“The most livable cities have a variety of modes of transportation for different types of trip needs,” says City of Raleigh Active Transportation Planner Hannah Dos Santos, who also leads the micromobility program. “And so the program works toward enhancing the livability of Raleigh by allowing people to be creative with how they can get around—all the while also supporting the city’s climate goals.”
Photo courtesy of Lime
Raleigh’s micromobility gains are no small feat. In the past year alone, riders took nearly 362,000 scoots—and since the program launched, it’s helped cut an est. 100 metric tons of CO2 emissions, per Dos Santos. As micromobility evolves, new ops like seated scooters—recently launched in Durham—could hit Raleigh next. “That’s something we’re working with the city to figure out how to introduce into the ecosystem,” says Lime Senior Manager of Government Relations Carol Antunez.
Spademan hopes scooter companies can eventually pass city fees directly onto users to lower ride costs across the board, emphasizing: “To solve sustainability goals, we also need to reward people for following those right behaviors.” So, as Raleigh’s streets continue to shift, micromobility stands as a key player—offering flexibility, sustainability and a glimpse at how the city can move smarter, faster and greener.
Each year, the Triangle’s top leaders explore a rising city, gathering inspo and intel via the Raleigh Chamber’s Inter-City Visit & Leadership Conference. With sights set on sparking Raleigh’s own evolution, the 2025 crew touched down in Kansas City—home to 2.2M+ and a ~1.2M-strong workforce, with average single- family home values hovering just under $300K. More than a conference, it was a deep dive into KC life— from hot spots to development insights to sports as a major economic driver. Here’s what stood out.
“The benefits of having headquarters locations in the city, including bold leadership and significant community investments.” —Katherine Thomas, VP of Business Development & Marketing, Alfred Williams & Company
“Touring the new Kansas City women’s soccer stadium was a standout moment—a powerful example of how thoughtfully designed sports venues can serve as anchors for broader economic development and placemaking. It reinforced how intentional investment in community-centered spaces can drive vibrancy and growth.” —Shelley R. Curran, Cary Assistant Town Manager
“Regional cooperation is critical for residents to prosper. It was obvious that siting a city in two different states creates issues. We need to work as a region! Also, I was blown away by the beautiful and significant public spaces that enhanced the function and vibe of the city.” —Matt Smith, VP of Development & Strategic Partnerships, Wake Tech Foundation
“Kansas City was determined to build a streetcar system—and accomplished their goal, funded with a combination of federal funds, special obligation bonds, a Transportation Development District, a utility contribution and local advertising revenue.” —Mitchell Silver, Raleigh City Councilor District A
“I was most impressed to see the women’s soccer stadium in Kansas City—very relevant given the NC Courage stadium needs an upgrade.” —Mayor Janet Cowell
“Biggest takeaway: Raleigh needs to build a stadium for our women’s soccer team, NC Courage, in Downtown Raleigh with views of our skyline.” —Nicole Stewart, Director of Engagement, A.J. Fletcher Foundation
“The need for a children’s hospital in our region. Mercy Children’s Hospital showed us the difference this can make in providing care with empathy.” —Mary-Ann Baldwin, Executive Director, Cooper Charitable Foundation
“We learned so much from our friends in KC, especially about the power of sports to drive local economic growth, as seen in the transformational CPKC Stadium—the first built specifically for professional women’s sports. And, no, the BBQ wasn’t better than NC!”—Mary Heath, Chief Administrative Officer, McAdams
