Hundreds of fans were left stranded at Carter-Finley—with no way for them to get out, or for rideshares to get in.
Raise your hand if you were stranded at Carter-Finley Stadium following Noah Kahan’s sold-out July 25 concert. Now raise your other hand if you sat in traffic for an hour to get in—whether you were making your way to a parking spot or navigating the rideshare dropoff.
Despite Carter-Finley, Lenovo Center and the State Fairgrounds playing host to plenty of hockey and football games, the annual NC State Fair, and a smattering of other events throughout the year, concert traffic somehow remains a huge headache. While July 23’s Guns N’ Roses show faced similar traffic delays, it was Noah Kahan’s post-concert struggles that received the most backlash, with multiple fans taking to social media to voice their concerns. And as someone who attended the show myself and didn’t get out of the parking lot until almost 1am, I can concur it was indeed a mess.
Getting into the stadium was a cluster in and of itself, with traffic backed up around Trinity Road, Blue Ridge Road, Edwards Mill Road and I-40 hours before the concert even started—never mind police officers on scene directing cars in a disorderly and confusing fashion.
Charlotte resident Peter Allen Rowe, who came to the concert by Uber, noted the rideshare dropoff situation was confusing from the get-go, with concerns already rising about getting out of the area as soon as he showed up to the venue. As it turns out, his anxiety was right.
With ~60,000 people trying to get out of the stadium at the same time, naturally, chaos ensued. Multiple fans were stuck outside Carter-Finley either piled up in a line of cars to get out or stranded on the side of the road waiting for an absurdly priced Uber or Lyft—only to face several cancellations, poor service and/or dead phone batteries.
“It’s just sad to see people have a legitimately incredible concert night and then you leave that and go straight into an incredibly stressful situation. If you can’t get home or what you’re planning on using doesn’t work, now all the sudden you’re in a tough spot—especially because you don’t have a lot of other options at that venue.” —Peter Allen Rowe
“I was at the concert alone and my husband, who was supposed to pick me up after, couldn’t get to the stadium and I ended up having to walk alone on the side of the highway at around midnight to find him,” says one TikTok user in attendance. “It was scary and infuriating.”
Allegedly, numerous roads were blocked getting into Carter-Finley, with rideshares and designated friends or family pickups circling for hours because there was no way to get near the stadium or pickup/dropoff area. Case in point: Rowe says he encountered an Uber driver who was forced to cancel 10 rides as he had no way to get to them.
Many fans tried to walk over to nearby sports bar The Local to catch a ride—hoping it would be far enough from the traffic cluster happening around the stadium—only to be left in the same position. “It was absolutely awful… worst experience of my life,” said another attendee. “I will never go to another event at Carter-Finley ever again.”
Photo by @hannah_shel
Rowe adds that the whole situation felt disconnected, and he never saw any posted road closure maps for anyone to be able to navigate where to go. Essentially, fans were thrown to the wolves—either resorting to waiting at the designated pickup area across the street or walking miles and miles away in the hopes of maybe being able to find a ride that could get to them.
Despite the cluster, NC State Acting Director of News and Media Relations Lauren Barker tells RM the university worked closely with numerous partner agencies for several months leading up to the concerts to develop “comprehensive operational and traffic management plans.” “Following the Noah Kahan concert, the high volume of concertgoers using rideshare services simultaneously caused delays to some patrons leaving the venue,” she says.
Still stranded by 2am (read: three hours after the show ended), some fans resorted to snagging rides from random strangers—which proved to be a safety concern of its own.
“It definitely creates opportunities for people who are looking to take advantage of someone that’s desperate,” emphasizes Rowe, who was lucky enough to find a ride—after getting far enough away from the stadium—from an Uber driver that began asking people if they needed a car. “It creates a really dangerous situation on so many levels, and opens people up to a lot of risk.”
While many attendees who experienced the struggles have voiced they refuse to go to a Carter-Finley concert ever again, Rowe argues that instead of accepting it as a bad situation, the entire scenario needs to be improved. Following the concert, he took it upon himself to email the NC State Institute for Transportation Research and Education at NC State, who responded saying a group is already looking at broader traffic implications for large events across Lenovo Center, Carter-Finley and the Fairgrounds. Barker also stated the weekend operations will be thoroughly reviewed as part of a post-event assessment process to identify opportunities for improvement at future events.
“If there’s anyone who seems like they have the expertise to think of a system that works, it should be NC State,” maintains Rowe. “If NC State can’t figure out a better system, we have other problems.”
If Noah Kahan, Guns N’ Roses, and Chris Brown’s shows are any indication, Carter-Finley’s transportation plans are struggling to keep pace with the major touring acts the venue continues to attract. For Raleigh to keep landing those shows, getting fans out safely and efficiently has to become part of the experience.
I ran the largest 10K event in the world on July Fourth—here’s how it went.
Whenever anyone asked me why I was choosing to run Atlanta’s 10K Peachtree Road Race in the middle of summer—and on a holiday no less—my answer was: “Just because it’s hard, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it.” And not to brag, but it wasn’t incredibly hard. If anything, I had a blast—and I’m already thinking of signing up for next year.
To backtrack a bit, this wasn’t my first race—though I’ve only ever done a few 5Ks (I’ve ran Raleigh’s Run for Love 5K for the past three years!) and the Turkey Trot Chicago 8K. A 10K did seem a bit daunting, especially in ~Hotlanta~ of all places, but I accepted the challenge and the grit and determination it was going to take to not only train for it, but complete it.
The lead-up to the race came with its fair share of mishaps. Instead of getting my bib mailed I chose to pick it up the day before at the Peachtree Health & Fitness Expo, but as soon as I arrived it was shut down due to lightning and thunder. After being forced to wait inside the adjacent Lenox Square Mall for almost an hour, the expo opened back up and we were all shepherded outside to wait in what appeared to be a mile-long line. … Only for it to start raining and be shut down again. I was one of many people to stand in the rain (no umbrella!) until they let people in.
Not only was it frustrating to have to wait so long—and in the rain—to secure my bib, but the lack of communication made the whole thing seem entirely unorganized. Not once did I receive a text blast or email about the expo being closed, nor did they reach out with a timeframe or directions on what to do next. While the expo did end up being cool (there were oodles of swag, samples, giveaways, merch, etc.), next time I’ll happily pay the shipping fee to get my bib sent in the mail.
Race day began with its own set of problems. While Atlanta is known for its MARTA rail system, it was down the morning of the 10K, leaving several hundred people stuck waiting on the platform I was traveling from—and a handful of others who resorted to ordering Ubers/Lyfts.
Just when I thought the universe must’ve really not wanted me to run this race, they were back up and running again, and taking the MARTA into Atlanta was actually pretty seamless from there. I know Raleigh has a great bus system, but I do feel like having a rail to transport thousands of participants into the city for a race day—or any event for that matter—would be a game-changer.
Despite all the setbacks, running the Peachtree Road Race was one of the funnest things I’ve ever taken part of. The largest 10K event in the world, it saw 60,000 participants this year—and what seemed like thousands of spectators. Throughout the entire route, there were people lined up on the sides of the road handing out water, snacks, swag and even alcohol. I witnessed people giving out Jell-O shots, beers, Champagne pours and full cans of beer. There was music playing from speakers, tons of funny signs and costumes, and lots and lots of lively cheering.
It was just the type of community camaraderie that made running six miles on the Fourth of July feel like a party—one that I was proud to be a part of and wanted to do again as soon as I crossed the finish line.
The cheery environment was similar to that of the Run for Love 5K, but on a much larger scale (and you won’t find anyone handing out booze at Dix Park). And though I’ve never ran or attended the City of Oaks Marathon, I’ve seen how spectators line the streets with signs to cheer participants on. Maybe this year I’ll be one of them.
Coastal fish shack meets city energy at Jean’s—no beach trip required. Taking over the old Durham Filling Station/Wimpy’s Grill outpost to much buzz, the seafood spot leans all-in on beachy decor, old-school booths and a big patio that channels peak seaside vibes (read: the kind of place you linger). It’s casual, a little kitschy and exactly the kind of place that turns a quick stop into a full night out. Dive into cold snacks like oysters, smoked fish dip and ceviche before moving on to Calabash baskets, peel-and-eat shrimp, and sandwiches. Not sure where to start? Go classic with a basket and work your way out. A cold beer—or colder marg—seals the deal, ensuring a shuckin’ good experience that hits just right on a warm night, especially when the patio’s packed.jeansbythesea.com
Photo by Forrest Mason
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Stylish Living | APEX
If your love language is a good find, this is your spot. The ever-rotating boutique and gift shop stocks a smattering of everything. Think clothes, jewelry, beauty, gifts, and home goods like mugs and candles—even snacks—with just enough local flair to make it feel personal. New drops keep regulars coming back, so no two visits hit the same. Perfect for last-minute birthday gifts, hostess saves or a little midweek mood boost. Consider it your go-to when you need something fast—but still want it to feel thoughtful. Translation? Easy gifting, zero overthinking—minus explaining how you popped in for a candle and came out with a full bag. But go ahead and treat yo’self—you deserve it (and yes, they’ll gift-wrap it). @stylish_living_apex
Courtesy of Stylish Living
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Matsumoto Craft Ramen | Cary
Slurp happens—and at this popular ramen resto, it’s practically encouraged. With decades of combined experience behind the counter, the ramen spot delivers rich broths and handmade noodles that have you checking you didn’t wake up in Asia—think flavorful ramens like tonkotsu, miso and curry, alongside black garlic chicken and fried tofu. The menu covers the spectrum, so whether you’re craving something rich and indulgent or lighter and brothy, there’s a lane. Apps like karaage, gyoza and edamame round it out, but the real draw is the depth of umami in every bowl, so when you come hungry, you’ll leave warm and fully satisfied—no late-night snack required. tasuasianbistro.com
Photo by Azy Foley Photography
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Market on Market | Durham
Three birds—er, brands—one stone. The Market Street retail incubator (hence the name) lets you shop—and support—three Black women-owned businesses all in one pass, from mod apothecary Be Well Co. to eco-minded lifestyle brand EKO and stationery-meets-gift shop BLNK SPCE Designs. It’s an easy way to discover new brands and a mix of practical and playful goodies without committing to a full day of shopping. Part boutique, part test lab for emerging brands, the program lets entrepreneurs experiment and grow while giving you the opp to get first dibs while they build what’s next—botanical facial toner, statement necklaces and cheeky stickers in tow. @marketonmarketstreet
Courtesy of Be Well Co.
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Baekho Coffee & Ice Cream | RTP
Coffee and ice cream—name a better duo, we’ll wait. Fuel up and cool down with a stop at the Boxyard RTP ~cool~ spot, where the crew behind Namu, Bulkogi and The Can Opener is turning out Korean-inspired drinks that go beyond your usual order and raise the bar on traditional coffees via playful well-balanced pours running the gamut from a creamy Butterscotch Candy Latte to the Berry Blush Matcha and Yuzu Citron Espresso Tonic that actually works. When it comes to dessert, scratchmade ops come by the cup, waffle cone, topped with matcha or in milkshake form. Basically, your summertime afternoon reset, post-work treat or casual date spot, handled. Come for a pick-me-up, stay because you turned it into a treat run. @baekhonc
Tomato season in Raleigh just hits different. Reaching peak ripeness in July/August (sometimes stretching through early September if we’re lucky), the plump, juicy fruit is the golden delicacy we pine for all year long—a jackpot of vegetal goodness we just can’t stop chasing.
Often enjoyed on fresh crusty bread with just a smear of mayo (Duke’s, obv) and a hit of salt and pep, NC tomatoes don’t necessarily *need* anything else to shine—but we’re of the opinion that bacon makes everything better. And so, these local BLTs may show off with special aiolis, homemade bread or pickled accoutrements, but rest assured those robust tomatoes still steal the spotlight.
Benchwarmers Bagels Come peak tomato time, Benchwarmers’ BLT is always the move. The specialty bagel goes full summer mode with uberjuicy thick-cut tomatoes and Duke’s Mayo for instant seasonal obsession. Moore Square & Park districts, @benchwarmersbagels
Tepuy | Photo by Andrew Albright
Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery Three layers, three times the drama. Hayes Barton’s triple-decker BLT pulls its weight—and then some—with an extra layer of flavor in between an added slice of bread. The more the merrier, as they say. Five Points,@hayesbartoncafeanddessertery
Oakwood Deli Oakwood’s MO? Don’t mess with a classic. The signature sando gets the standard treatment—complete with fresh sourdough that packs a well-rounded punch. Seaboard & Person Street District, @oakwooddeli_nc
Southern Craft Sandwiches Built for two hands and zero regrets, the sando staple stacks up a mean BLT: tomatoes add juicy drama, garlic aioli delivers depth, and thick applewood smoked bacon brings the drama—all anchored on a signature hoagie roll. North Raleigh,@southerncraftsandwiches
Tepuy Donuts Pro tip: Don’t sleep on Tepuy’s sandwiches. Built on housemade brioche, the bangin’ BLT—bolstered with smoked bacon and roasted garlic aioli—goes hard when you’re feeling savory (or before a doughnut or two). Northeast Raleigh, @tepuydonuts
Union Special The popular neighborhood bakery gives its BLT some Southern swagger with chow chow aioli made with pickled, chopped veggies—plus fat slices of hothouse tomatoes. Messy, but she’s oh-so worth it. Iron District, @unionspecialbread
More than a hotel, The Gables and on-site bar Alcove are gearing up to welcome the community.
September-slated The Gables hotel won’t just be a boutique retreat for out-of-towners. Thanks in large part to on-site all-day Euro-style cafe and bar Alcove, it’ll serve as a neighborhood amenity, a space open to whoever is passing through—whether from just down the road or across the country.
Originally dating back to the 1920s, the roadside retreat has been lovingly restored by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tift Merritt, hotelier Daniel Robinson and Heyday Studios’ Sarah Yarborough (formerly of Raleigh Denim). From the jump, a bar was always in the plans, with Merritt and Robinson insisting that being a part of the neighborhood was extraordinarily important to them—along with their goal of building community.
“We’re not a private place,” maintains Merritt. “We want to see our friends. Also, isn’t a hotel bar the most fun place to drink in the world anywhere you go?”
Photo by Matt Ramey
Housed in a former garage adjacent to the main hotel and defined by three stone walls that had to be saved, stresses Robinson, the bar serves up an intimate “fantasy stone cottage” vibe, complete with deep jewel tones, rich textures, earthy elements and natural light. A lush semicovered patio further plays into Alcove’s boho spirit—helping the entire property feel almost like a sanctuary, says Merritt.
“You don’t quite know what era you’re in,” she adds. “I think there’s something really enchanting about places that are timeless like that.”
Hotel guests and the locals alike are invited to enjoy a morning coffee or evening cocktail on a cozy banquette or custommade French bistro-esque table inside Alcove, in the main hotel’s common area, or sprawled out in the greenery-filled gardens.
Developed with the help of Early Bird Night Owl’s Ashley Malinowski, the bar’s Southern-European menu leans simple yet exquisite—think a tight selection of red and white wines, spritzes, and low-ABV sessionable ’tails like a white port and tonic (a Portuguese-inspired drink that replaces gin with white port)—with the idea that guests can sip easy and linger. European picnic-esque bites like creative charcuterie with tinned fish, fresh veg crudités, dried fruits, and cakes round out the experience and reinforce Alcove’s relaxed spirit.
Photo by Matt Ramey
In keeping with its neighborhood-first ethos, Alcove will play host to myriad events, from readings, music and long-table dinners to “4 the Record” cocktail hour (read: vinyls spinning at 4pm) and over-30s singles nights, during which Merritt will bartend signature drinks with cheeky names like European Boyfriend; Wingman; Sugar Mama; and Tall, Dark and Handsome.
In essence, Robinson and Merritt envision Alcove as a traditional European “salon” concept—a place bringing like-minded folks together. “A good day at Alcove is when you can tie that thread from the first customer to the last, and there’s people having conversation [throughout],” says Robinson, also of The Durham Hotel fame.
While the project has been a long eight-year endeavor, the dynamic duo agrees the extra time has allowed them to distill all their favorite travels and experiences into a clear vision of what The Gables was always meant to be.
“This has been a long run, but it’s come a long way,” emphasizes Merritt. “There are days where it feels really daunting, and then there are days when I walk over and I cannot believe how it’s looking and that it’s actually happening—and how much fun we’re going to have here.” thegablesraleigh.com
