If there were ever a time to bet on the Canes—and PNC Arena—it’s now. Beyond making their fifth appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals and selling out 31 of 41 regular season games (ranking top five in league fan attendance), now the ink is dry on a bill legalizing sports betting in NC that changes everything—for the arena, and the district as a whole.
Especially because the Canes are here to stay. Post their Playoffs run, Canes President and GM Don Waddell announced a 20-year lease extension with PNC Arena in the works—signing as soon as late July to mid-August.
Once signed, the Centennial Authority board will approve selects from some 70 ideas on the table to reenergize the property, according to Jeff Merritt, executive director of the Centennial Authority. Not to mention Wake County is slated to distribute funds from the interlocal agreement this summer—which levies revenue from hotels and food/beverage taxes to support arts, culture, sports and convention facilities.
Add to that the legalization of sports betting—and “we will now have the opportunity to build a world-class sports-wagering facility to expand the entertainment options around PNC Arena,” Waddell said in a statement posted to the Canes’ Twitter account. “Our plans also include a restaurant and bar available to fans every day, helping to spur additional development in and around the arena district.”
Adds Merritt: “It will provide a revenue stream to the hockey team that doesn’t currently exist.” … And the timing could not be more perfect. Stay tuned.
Prepare to have these over-the-top milkshakes bring all the boys (and girls!) to The Yard, opening at Seaboard Station in April.
There’s milkshakes, and then there’s The Yard Milkshake Bar’s spectacularly over-the-top milkshakes (we’re talking sometimes 12-inches tall, y’all). With toppings like whole slices of cake or pie, doughnuts, Pop-Tarts, and more (!), these shakes are not for the faint of heart—er, stomach. And, now, Raleigh is getting a (large) bite of the action, as local influencers Briana and Roger Kornegay of Raleigh FoodTrap are poised to open a sweet DTR spot April 12 at Seaboard Station.
The digital creators—known to eat their way around town and beyond—saw The Yard’s 2018 debut on Shark Tank… followed by scrolls of the signature excessive shakes all over social media. After spinning up a taste for themselves at The Yard’s Ashburn, Virginia, location (the most proximal of the shake spaces), the Kornegays knew they had to open one here at home.
“We’ve tried ice cream everywhere; we’ve seen people attempt [the over-the-top milkshakes], but there’s nobody doing it like The Yard,” says Roger. “It’s just bussin’. You can’t go wrong.”
The Yard’s Raleigh location—and its first NC outpost—will feature the same standard menu as its 30+ existing storefronts, plus monthly specials and a Raleigh-exclusive milkshake that will only be available at Seaboard Station. While still in the brainstorming stage, Roger says they’ll have the opp to partner with a local bakery on the creative flavor—and he’s pining for red velvet cinnamon roll (um, sold).
Mr. FoodTrap’s other The Yard faves include the Doughnut Touch My Coffees & Cream, a cappuccino crunch ice cream base in a Nutella-iced jar rolled in crushed Oreos and topped with whipped cream, Nutella drizzle, crushed Oreos and a whole doughnut; and the Strawberries & Cream Cheesecake feat. strawberry cheesecake ice cream in a vanilla-iced jar rolled in graham cracker crumbs and topped with whipped cream, strawberry topping, crushed graham crackers and a slice of New York cheesecake. Phew! “They’re only like 1,700 calories,” Roger jokes, “but it’s worth it.”
After sip happens (see what we did there), patrons will be able to take the exclusive Raleigh-branded Mason jar home with them—think of it like a trophy for finishing those extravagant ’zerts. The scoop shop will even have a washing station where you can clean it and bag it.
And shakin’ things up beyond the shakes, The Yard will offer straight-up ice cream, sundaes, edible cookie dough, specialty cakes and a secret menu—plus vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free flavors. … And for those intimidated by the piled-high shakes, fear not—there are just-as-tasty tinier versions. Of course, if you’re feeling really frosty, says Roger, you can go bigger too, with The Yard’s pint shake bosses. Just make sure to wear your stretchy pants. theyardmilkshakebar.com
Whether you’re going “shots, shots, shots” a la LMFAO and Lil Jon to run a wheel off or you just need some liquid courage without all the calories, these four unique local shots with backstory to boot are, well, worth a shot.
Think of this tangy shooter—a shot of the dive bar’s own pepperoncini-soaked vodka followed by a gulp of bloody mary mix—like pickleback’s cool older cousin. Reminiscent of Papa John’s pizza (those that get it, get it), it’s sure to spice up your evening—literally.@thecardinalbar
Dessert in shot form? Say less. This sweet treat is made with Cathead honeysuckle vodka, Kaluha, orange and lemon—and will instantly make you feel like a kid in a candy store. Getting chip-faced for the win! @hummingbirdral
Rooted in Raleigh history (it’s literally the reason the City of Oaks is the capital of NC), the Cherry Bounce is making a comeback on Tap Yard’s menu this fall (!). First debuted at Isaac Hunter’s Tavern, the cherry-infused bourbon shot can also be enjoyed as a cocktail with a splash of soda water. @tapyardraleigh
When you don’t want to be a killjoy but also aren’t in the mood for a full bev, turn to this mini margarita made with tequila, blueberry, hibiscus aqua fresca, lime and sugar that’s just as flavorful and refreshing as a full-size version—but much easier to cheers with. @killjoycocktail
Life’s too short not to play. Activating Raleigh’s kiddos and kids at heart is the highly anticipated Conlon Family Skatepark and a “pocket park,” both of which opened just in the nick of time for summer. The former project—from the minds of Skate Raleigh—is temporarily located at Smoky Hollow Park, between Capital Boulevard and Peace Street, and features open spaces fit for all kinds of wheeled sports—from skateboarding and scootering to roller-skating and biking. Meanwhile, Raleigh’s largest urban park, Dix Park, unveiled “Raleigh’s smallest park” in June. A collab between Dix Park, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, Artsplosure and local installation artist Katie Stewart, the mini respite is parked in front of artist Gabriel Eng-Goetz’s Dix Park mural on the corner of Hillsborough and West Street by Roast Grill and State of Beer. So if you’re looking for a pocketful of sunshine and/or shred seshes this summer, you know where to go.
Travis Hyatt’s new furniture line is a reflection of the past, present and future.
Travis Hyatt has a story to tell, but instead of divulging it through words, he’s revealing it through furniture via his recently launched local studio Travis Hyatt Design. The craftsman blends his experiences—from foster youth to veteran adulthood—with locally sourced raw lumber to create design-forward artisan furniture with a double dose of history (talk about chair-acter!).
Hyatt got the creative bug at a young age, as his foster dad was a sign painter and his grandma “was always instilling a lot of creativity in me,” he says. When he was in the military, he did construction work overseas, then continued woodworking after he got out, eventually going to school for the craft and joining a mentorship program that helped him hone in on his signature modern aesthetic.
Hyatt’s high-end chairs, tables, desks and other pieces are largely inspired by Scandinavian design, with craftsmanship and functionality at the forefront—but it’s his own personal narrative that really shines through.
