Local businesses to support in Raleigh and Wake County for National Hispanic Heritage Month—and beyond
National Hispanic Heritage Month returns Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, and to celebrate, we want to ensure our local Hispanic-owned businesses get the love they deserve—not just this month, but all year long. Here, some local Hispanic-owned shops, restaurants and other businesses to support.
Slay your summer via new sound shops, books, sustainable brands and more.
All about the frills? Find Frills Atelier selling sustainable + upcycled styles and accessories in its new pop-up shop on Martin Street. After all, nothing looks cuter than being green! @shopthefrills
You’re gonna wanna frame this one. Warby Parker’s newly opened storefront in Fenton is a sight for sore eyes indeed. How spec-tacular! @warbyparker
Raleighites and sisters Natalie and Ashley Yakopec—who you might know from their fashion/lifestyle page Polished Pineapple—are the proud new owners of women’s boutique Gena Chandler in North Hills. Slay! @genachandler
Book it over to nab a copy of Sassool co-owner Lisa Saleh’s latest book, Moussa Domit: A True Artist, a biography about a Lebanese man who comes to America and eventually starts a bakery (psst it’s Neomonde!). BRB, adding to our must-read list!@sassoolcafe
Grab the popcorn! Triangle Cinemas is now playing in the previous Six Forks Cinemas spot. … And, scene! @trianglecinemas
Do you hear what I hear? Sound Off Records & Hi-Fi recently spun into a new locale lauding used records and vintage audio equipment in the Warehouse District. As Rihanna would say, “please don’t stop the music.” @soundoff_hifi
New store, who dis? Check out H&M’s new Crabtree digs flaunting an expanded array of fab fashions and an updated ambiance. Let’s shop till we drop! @hm
Popcorn, Adobe Stock; remaining photos courtesy of brands
Testing, testing! Stretching the limits of creativity and one-of-a-kind cooking is Michael Lee’s highly anticipated sixth cuisine concept, M Test Kitchen—neighboring M Sushi and joining the lineup at Fenton mid-April—now taking reservations. Cary’s newest culinary creative studio will sate foodies via cleverly concocted dishes—from Thai basil pesto rice noodles to lobster shumai with Chinese chile and anything else the culinary artists dream up.
Executive chef Connor Johnson—who cut his teeth at myriad Michelin restos before making his mark over at Oakwood Pizza Box, among others, and last landing at M Sushi—has clearly found his finest footing yet at M Test Kitchen. The impressive and mouthwatering menu is truly a tour of the senses. And in addition to the excellent Asian ops, the tapas-style menu touts tastes representative of Italy and Greece that’ll keep you on your toes.
We got a sneak peek in front of the opening—pro tip: Be sure to try the watercress salad (yes, the salad… trust us!), sample a plate of carrot cake, and take a sip of one of the ops on the extensive wine and cocktail list. We’re lovin’ the East Meets West tequila take.
“This restaurant will have a constantly evolving menu inspired by many different Asian cuisines,” says Johnson. “I hope this adds a more intimate dining experience where the kitchen and dining room become one space. Every plate will be as focused and intentional as possible. The beef and broccoli for example, is just that, beef and broccoli. However there are multiple preparations of each of those two simple ingredients.” … Clearly, each plate coming out of the kitchen is sure to keep diners intrigued—echoing the essence of the eatery’s vision.
“M Test Kitchen is something we came up with so we can constantly test and try out different recipes without having a boundary of being a specific type of cuisine or restaurant,” says Lee. “We wanted the freedom to do pretty much anything in the name of research, knowledge, learning and possibly for our other restaurants.” And in the name of research, we volunteer as guinea pigs (!). See you in the laboratory? m-restaurants.com
Ready to suit up? OHM Fitness, a group fitness studio specializing in wearable tech workouts—with electrical muscle stimulation!—is bowing in three Triangle locations, the first of which is slated to open in Raleigh. Say ohm! @ohmfitnessstudios
Got skillz? Book a class at Sk1ll Fitness Studio—which made its debut in April—for a slew of ops for your sweat sesh: indoor cycling, cardio, Pilates, dance aerobics. Step this way! @skillfitstudio (Sk1ll Fitness Studio)
These boots are made for walking… and that’s just what they’ll do. Slip on a pair of Tecovashandmade cowboy boots over at the Texas-based shop’s forthcoming North Hills locale. Yeehaw! @tecovas
Hey, sis—ready to slay? We can’t keep quiet aboutHUSH, a luxe salon now open in Smoky Hollow that’ll have your hair, lashes and brows on fleek. Pop off! @hushraleigh
Find flower shop Golden Florabudding its business via grab-and-go bouquets for weddings, events or whatever you’re feelin’ like nabbing flowers for. There you grow! @goldenflorashop (Caitlyn Frank)
Pet parents, rejoice! Local vet Dr. Stephanie Call is opening a new veterinarian hospital in Apex this June in partnership with GoodVets. It’s sure to be doggone great. @good.vets (RWE Design Build)
Roses are red and beer is brew at Cary’s latest laid-back beer garden.
Stop and smell the roses… er, rosé! West Wake’s recently bowed watering hole Rosecomb Beer Garden boasts a slew of ops for sipping—see its 24 rotating taps of beers, sours, hard ciders and kombuchas, and rosé (natch). NTM BB’s Crispy Chicken is situated right next door, so you can literally order one of those juicy chicken sandos straight to your barstool (!). Or, opt for a spot on the sunny partially covered patio, complete with fans and fire pits.
“We are thrilled to bring an exciting new atmosphere to Cary for friends and family to gather for cold drinks and tasty bites,” says Colleen Hamilton, VP of brand marketing for MDO Holdings. “We are the perfect family- and pet-friendly destination with plenty of games, live music on weekends, trivia on Wednesdays and everything in between!” … Will you accept this rosé? rosecombbeergarden.com
