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
Waraji adds izakaya (Japanese bar) with specialty cocktails and apps.
Folks who frequent Waraji for its extensive selection of sake (the largest on the East Coast!), sushi, sashimi and authentic Japanese cuisine know the hip sup spot has always been sans hard liquor—until now.
Upping our spirits, the concept’s new izakaya (aka Japanese bar) is now serving up signature cocktails, specialty liquor, beer, wine, sake and small plates in its expanded space after acquiring the spot formerly occupied by now-defunct wine/bottle shop The Pedaler.
While the intimate izakaya serves as a hip new spot for happy hour in Northwest Raleigh—NTM the perf perch for patrons to wait for a table in the main dining room—the recently debuted cocktails will also be on offer in the dining room (banzai!).
The special small plates menu, though, will be served izakaya-side only. Think yakitori skewers (chicken and scallion skewers grilled with a teriyaki sauce), takoyaki (fried octopus dumplings served with a vegetable and fruit sauce, bonito flakes, seaweed and ginger), gyoza, and spicy chile and garlic edamame—plus smaller sushi items like spicy squid salad, nigiri and sashimi.
Beyond spirited cocktails, Waraji owner/operator Reuben Rodillas also hopes to expand the concept’s offerings of Japanese whiskies, sakes, gins and vodkas. “My goal is to make [Waraji] the first Japanese sake and whiskey bar around here,” he says. The izakaya will also offer flights. So essentially, you’ll get the chance to experience two restaurants/bars in one. Let the good times roll.
