Sunflower’s Café Set to Reopen
Don’t call it a comeback—they really were here for years. Raleigh’s about to blossom again as Sunflower’s Café makes its long-awaited return—this time to the burgeoning Rockway development on DTR’s southern edge.
Before Downtown was packed with buzzy cocktail bars and chef-driven hot spots, Sunflower’s was theneighborhood anchor—a bright mom-and-pop sandwich shop known for its fresh salads, housemade desserts and cheerful yellow facade.
For 37 years, the cafe fed locals with steady warmth and simplicity before closing to much heartbreak in 2020, leaving a void for Raleighites craving an F&B scene that doesn’t sacrifice its roots in pursuit of the new.
Now, that sunflower is set to rebloom, slated to reopen in 2026 in Kane’s new work-stay-play community as the fourth announced tenant at The Row. Helmed by Quinn Ferebee—son of OG owners Deborah and Clay—the reimagined spot promises the same scratch goodness Raleigh remembers, paired with a mod twist: full bar, craft ’tails and late-night vibes where dining tables flip to pool tables.
“I’m excited to reintroduce an old Raleigh favorite to a new audience, as well as to those who enjoyed it for so many years in Downtown,” says Quinn. “I hope to honor my parents’ legacy and make it the best it can be.”
With its fresh start at The Row, Sunflower’s is poised to brighten the DTR landscape once again—proof that in Raleigh, even after the petals fall, the roots run deep.
