Raleigh Reservoir gives existing clothing a new life.
If protecting the environment and looking great while doing it is your MO, meet Raleigh Reservoir, a recently launched gender-inclusive online sustainable clothing and accessories brand. Giving existing clothing a new lease on life, owner Shelbie LeBron handselects preloved and vintage selects that fit the store’s guidelines of high-quality fabrics (cotton, wool, silk) and unique artistic items, and releases them in themed collections a la high-fashion. The green garb biz also offers gallery lookbooks, styling tips, and weekly blogs informing customers on the impact their purchases have on their closets and the environment.
A born-and-raised North Carolinian, LeBron has always been drawn to fashion: As a child dancer she frequented thrift stores and made costumes for herself. “I never lost that love for expressing myself and hunting for unique items that spoke to me,” she says. “I still feel the clothing that already exists has such a strong story to tell.” After working in high-end fashion boutiques for several years, LeBron found Raleigh Reservoir truly aligned with her core values of sustainability. And while the brand is currently online only, she has big plans to expand and offer face-to-face shopping and styling soon. Clearly, sustainable fashion is always in style. raleighreservoir.com
Franklinton is primed to be Raleigh’s next coolest burb
“If you build it, they will come.” So goes the MO for Joe and Stephanie Farrell, a husband-and-wife team who have pretty much dedicated their careers to slowly but surely building up Franklinton to be the newest Wake County-adjacent hot spot.
The couple (Joe, the visionary, designer, builder and developer; and Stephanie, the interior design guru) first visited the downtown area in 2019, recalling it being “pretty much abandoned,” says Stephanie—think old, dilapidated, boarded-up buildings with no tenants and scary-quiet streets with nary a car in sight. Fast-forward to today, and, thanks to the Farrells’ investments, the town’s Main Street is abuzz with activity and thriving businesses—plus an influx of people moving to the town. “There’s absolutely a newfound energy,” Stephanie adds.
It’s no surprise people are flocking to quiet outer towns like Franklinton. Living in Raleigh is getting more expensive every day, thus pushing out people who can no longer afford it or who would just rather get more bang for their buck. And with many still working remotely, commuting 45 minutes to Raleigh is a nonissue.
The Farrells saw the potential in Franklinton—and the upshot for both them and the community to restore and reinvigorate it. So, they began by buying up and upfitting an old movie theater that now houses Owl’s Roost Brewery, and, with the help of commercial real estate veterans Jim Anthony and Steven Hayes, have since purchased almost the entire block—think 24 buildings and counting—including Toros Tacos + Tequila; coffeeshop Mason x Main; and The Slammer Speakeasy, situated in the basement jail of the former town hall.
“The thought was, we could buy one building and put something in there, but if the rest of the town is dilapidated and abandoned—if it’s neglected like a ghost town—why would people come?” says Stephanie. “So, it’s really like flipping a town.”
One of Joe and Stephanie’s current projects is a restaurant in partnership with Justin Bee and Nunzio Scordo, aka former owner of Raleigh’s Driftwood Cantina, who also recently opened Downtown Franklinton restaurant Eli’s Tavern. The trio’s venture, a two-story bar and eatery dubbed Franco’s Italian Steakhouse, will feature a massive courtyard, old-school ’50s and ’60s decor, an indoor/outdoor fireplace, and upstairs and downstairs bars. Quite the draw, Scordo is optimistic it will attract people from Raleigh and beyond to venture in for a meal.
Not stopping there, the Farrells also have plans to develop The Carolina Manor House, a 1904 Victorian home on 8.5 acres just a 1/4-mile from downtown, into an event center with on-site cottages; treehouses; a pavilion for weddings; and an amphitheater for outdoor concerts, corporate events, retreats, etc.
“I know what Joe has done because he’s done it in some other areas like Youngsville,” says Scordo. “If these guys are putting their time and money into this, it’s gonna be worth it. A lot of our customer base at Eli’s is from Wake Forest, Louisburg, Youngsville, Oxford. … They’re driving from all over the place because there’s nothing up here.”
But, clearly, with all the growth, and new businesses and people moving to the area, that’s about to change. … “It’s really cool to see all the businesses that weren’t there two years ago,” says Stephanie. “It’s now one of the nicest towns we’ve ever been in—people are so appreciative and thankful and encouraging. We know Franklinton is on the up and up.” See ya on Main Street.
Local artist Tre. Charles’ new EP sparks timely convo around masculine vulnerability.
Durham-based singer-songwriter Tre. Charles isn’t afraid to be vulnerable. In fact, his new EP Currently., dropping April 26, is centered on bringing honesty and insight to the forefront of conversations around self-awareness, insecurity, mental health, masculine vulnerability and introspection—and challenging the status quo surrounding those topics.
Despite drifting through careers without a sense of true purpose, the high school chorus singer has always loved music—but never took it seriously. That was until an unfortunate car accident damaged his knee and forced him to think about the next bar—er, chapter—in his life.
“They said I wasn’t going to be able to walk again,” recalls Charles, who first picked up the guitar in college. “I wasn’t able to move; I had to do physical therapy. For the most part, I was just teaching myself guitar and trying to get better at it.”
Finding his forte, Charles dedicated himself to music full-time, releasing his first single, “Stressin.,” in 2021. Through simplistic yet powerful lyrics and emotive crooning, he reflects on the personal and social struggles he’s experienced throughout his life as a young Black man in America, as well as the isolation many felt during the pandemic.
“Lately.,” the first single off his new album, dives deeper into the realm of mental health by “addressing the overwhelmingness of today’s social media landscape and the constraints of overthinking,” he says. Relatable, indeed.
Those honest and powerful lyrics paired with Charles’ self-described alt indie soul sound—think Frank Ocean meets Hozier, he says—make Currently. a must-listen.
“I hope listeners can feel heard and seen—and [I hope to] challenge their perspective,” he says of experiencing the album—“kind of like continuing on with this new renaissance, specifically with Black men talking about their emotions and going to therapy and doing the work to try to be better.” trecharles.com
Lettuce, rejoice! NoVa-based taqueria Taco Bamba opening in Raleigh Aug. 28.
Move over, Austin—Raleigh is coming for your title of America’s best taco city (!). While the City of Oaks already ranked a cool No. 12 on Clever Real Estate’s 2022 list of top taco towns, it was the only East Coast city listed in the top 15 (all, save one Midwest outlier, were West Coast, natch)—and no doubt this news ups the ante for our fair city’s 2023 rank.
Even NoVa-based Taco Bamba recognizes Raleigh’s taco allure. The uberpopular fast-casual taqueria with a cultlike following chose Ridgewood Shopping Center for its first location outside the DC metro area, slated to open Aug. 28—and adding to our town’s fast-growing catalog of tempting taco spots (see: Leroy’s Tacos n Beer, Gym Tacos, Chido Taco, etc.).
“Raleigh is a taco town,” says Taco Bamba chef-owner Victor Albisu in an exclusive interview with Raleigh Magazine, “and it’s a town that’s really receptive to creative eating and food.” … And Albisu is confident that Raleighites will welcome Taco Bamba’s unexpected yet unique offerings with open arms—and stomachs.
Get a taste of Taco Bamba’s eclectic menu during its one-night-only pop-up at Junction West on April 26. (Greg Powers)
Shaking up your taco Tuesday, the taqueria is best known for its assortment of house tacos starring out-of-the-box ingredients—from ramen (yes, really) to fried chicken to beef tongue—which vary by location. The Raleigh outpost will feature its own slew of unique tacos, tortas and empanadas—in addition to Bamba’s all-day breakfast program feat. breakfast tacos and free coffee offered until midafternoon. NTM a full-service bar with a focus on agave spirits (tequilas, mezcal) to elevate happy hour.
The diverse menu—which also features traditional tacos, quesadillas, chips and queso, and the like—pushes the boundaries of standard Mexican fare and allows the Bamba team to experiment with and introduce different flavors, textures and ingredients while connecting a myriad of cultures. So, shelling out an exotic foodie tour, if you will.
“My intention is not to scale one menu—my intention is to scale a style of food we own and believe in,” explains Albisu. “It’s been a really incredible journey putting a team together and creating a new style of food and a new style of taqueria. We never have an issue creating a new menu. That’s the engine that drives us—the thing that keeps us growing.”
The other star worth shellebrating (had to) will be its expansive patio (!), which Albisu says will serve as the main dining area—and feature accessibility to the main bar. Albisu also maintains Bamba’s products drive the eatery’s environment, with each location boasting its own identity in an effort to “adhere to a neighborhood, and have the neighborhood identify with us,” he says. Translation: Raleigh’s Bamba will stand out from the rest of the existing eight locations, especially with it being the taqueria’s first endeavor into a wholly new market.
“This is probably the most exciting time for our little company that’s growing,” says Albisu. “We’re really hoping to connect and be able to grow in Raleigh and beyond. … And we’re going to give it all we’ve got.” Taco ’bout an exciting time to be a taco-loving Raleighite. tacobamba.com
Take a bite out of Blue Shark Vodka’s limited-edition release.
If you’re looking for a buzz without the bite—aka a clean sip of vodka without the signature astringent taste—you’re gonna wanna grab a bottle of Blue Shark Vodka. Specifically the Wilmington-based distiller’s limited-edition Wyland Bottle (dropping May 1), which touts a label designed by world-famous ocean muralist and International Scuba Diving Hall of Famer Wyland. And for extra feel-good fuzzies with your buzz-y, $1 from each sale goes to the Wyland Foundation and its efforts promoting, protecting and preserving the world’s oceans, waterways and marine life. How fin-tastic!
“Wyland is the No. 1 marine artist in the world,” says founder and frequent diver Mark Bloomquist, aka “Mark the Shark” (it’s like he was born to own Blue Shark!). “He’s a friend of my family, a friend of mine. … And the Wyland Foundation is near and dear to our family’s hearts.”
It’s partnerships like those that serve as the backbone of Blue Shark, which also partners with the Atlantic Shark Institute. According to Bloomquist, one of the big focuses of the brand is to create awareness of the unique sharks and marine life that make coastal areas thrive—in addition to utilizing local ingredients like NC sweet corn in the award-winning spirit.
Those majestic finned creatures also served as the inspiration for Blue Shark’s signature OG vodka bottle feat. a handblown glass blue shark circling the bottom. Think of it like a ship in a bottle—and a sign that good times are on the horizon (!).
Keeping with the currents, Blue Shark can be found at select bars and ABC Stores throughout the state. And they don’t call it the “world’s smoothest vodka” for nothing. … The spirit works swimmingly in a cocktail—or on its own. One sip, and you’ll be hooked. bluesharkvodka.com
