If you thought “pivoting” died with the pandemic, think again. The latest Raleigh biz to announce a shift is Junction West—which, fun fact, was voted one of our Best New Bars of 2018 and also where we held our first-annual Best Bars Awards Party (!). The popular Warehouse District gathering space—loved for its chic atmosphere, casual vibe, delicious cocktails and fab patio—is transitioning to a full-time event venue in September (*cue the sobs*).
Co-owner Gabie Frantz says the transition comes after seeing firsthand how “consumer’s habits have changed in this ‘post-pandemic time,’” along with the high demand for events in the area.
“Our model has always been to be a gathering space for the community, and, up until this point, that has been in the form of an event venue and bar,” she reiterates. “Now, the future of Junction West is still a community gathering space, but with a priority focus on events.”
Sept. 10 will be the last day the public can snag a drink at The Bar at Junction West—but fear not, events like The Day Party, live music, yoga, comedy nights, markets and food events will still be kept in rotation. And Frantz promises occasional pop-ups of The Bar on a gorgeous sunny day or in conjunction with a public event. See, it’s not goodbye, just see ya later!
“Our hope is that by transitioning to a full-time venue, it will give us the opportunity to partner with even more organizations and support local causes that are important to us,” Frantz maintains. Groups and individuals can also book private events through the space—from corporate meetings and nonprofit fundraisers to weddings and everything in between.
“We have loved getting to know the Raleigh community through bar service at Junction West over the past five years,” says Frantz. “While we are sad to close this chapter, we are excited and optimistic at the possibilities ahead.” Better go wish your bittersweet goodbyes before it’s too late!
By Anna Beth Adcock and Lauren Kruchten | Photos courtesy of Airbnb
Raleigh landed the No. 2 spot on Airbnb’s top trending U.S. cities for Labor Day weekend. Here, some local Airbnbs to rent for a staycation.
The unofficial end to summer, Labor Day weekend is known for that final mass exodus to the coast. But—hear us out—why not skip the inevitable Labor Day weekend traffic and consider a staycation close to home?!
Though it should come as no surprise to us Raleighites—ahem, the City of Oaks is the No. 6 best place to live in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report, after all—our fair city was recently ranked the No. 2 destination for travelers this Labor Day weekend by Airbnb (!). With the long weekend still a couple weeks away, there’s plenty of time to book local lodging—or even become a host to earn a little extra vacay money. Here, we round up some of our top local Airbnb picks for the holiday. … And, well, we’d give this staycay five stars!
Fancy the Midtown life? This fenced-in home in North Raleigh is perfect for families—with two legs or four! Located minutes from local parks, trails (there’s a public Greenway access a half-mile away!) and free fam-friendly activities—plus 20 minutes from Downtown and seven minutes from North Hills—this Airbnb gives you the privacy of a quaint and quiet neighborhood without all the noise or parking probs you’d have to deal with in Downtown. Upping the appeal factor, there’s a fully stocked kitchen for all you home chefs, a super-large dining room table to fit the whole fam, and a play structure in the backyard for the kiddos.
With its sought-after location in the Warehouse District, this super-walkable condo—with a private garage to boot—is ideal for those looking to spend some time exploring popular spots like Barcelona Wine Bar (tapas + wine = the perf happy hour pairing), Boxcar (get your game on!) and CAM Raleigh (calling all culture vultures!). Or, take a stroll through Raleigh’s newly launched social district; catch a concert at Red Hat; or grab a seat at one of Raleigh’s many delish restos (hey, Oak Steahouse!). Complete with a kitchen, free parking (!) and a ton of great amenities, this modern Airbnb is a must-stay for a weekend of city livin’ on Labor Day or any day.
Take your hot girl walks Downtown this Labor Day weekend with a squat in this refurbished 1930s Airbnb, complete with gorgeous hardwood floors and high ceilings. Located only a few blocks from Raleigh staple Transfer Co. Food Hall and with easy access to Red Hat Amphitheater, Moore Square and Raleigh’s Greenway trails, this modern cottage positions patrons for an easygoing stay-and-play weekend sans the drive down 40. To boot, the charming abode boasts a private patio, a space for working (if you must!)—and it’s nestled in a quiet neighborhood only a few blocks from DTR, giving you all the convenience without any of the nightlife noise. Booking now…
If shopping, eating and drinking is your ideal staycay, this Village District Airbnb is calling. Walk to local faves like The Flying Biscuit Cafe, Tazza Kitchen, Benelux Coffee, Charlotte’s and Cheshire Cat Antique Gallery; hit up a new show in Goodnights’ just-bowed temporary Village District locale in the old K&W; or grab a scooter and venture Downtown. But thanks to high-end design details (we see you suspended fireplace and luxe white furnishings!), chilling at the house is also a solid option.
Snooze under the stars in this spacious and stylish woodsy wonder featuring an open-kitchen concept, large living room (perf for a casual night in by the fireplace) and a wooden deck complete with potted plants and string lights (ooh, la, la!). With a setup this sweet, you’ll have no problem getting some much-needed R&R—but if you’re looking to get out and about, DTR is just 20 minutes away, and you can get to Crabtree Valley Mall in 10. A Starry Night, indeed!
Cyclists have an easier, safer way to get around downtown Raleigh this fall, with the city’s newly opened Downtown North-South Greenway Connector. The city’s first separated bike lanes are located on West Street and Harrington Street and will connect to two future proposed greenways. The lanes also connect independently to downtown Raleigh destinations including the newly opened Publix, Weaver Street Market and many local restaurants, shops and bars in Glenwood South and in the Warehouse District.
The lanes take cyclists out of vehicle traffic and give them an independent place to ride, while FlexPosts between the lanes and the street provide further distance between cyclists and cars. Green markings signal to drivers that they need to stop and look for bicyclists as they’re coming out of driveways or making turns.
Additional separated bike lanes are coming to Lineberry Drive, Crabtree Boulevard and Morgan Street this fall.
The owners of Dogwood Country Club want the game to be accessible to all.
Dave and Elyssa Nastalski wanted to change the perception of golf as an exclusive game for polo-and-khaki-wearing white collar professionals. So, a year and a half ago, the married couple opened a country club smack dab in the heart of the city.
Dogwood Country Club, marketed as Raleigh’s first urban country club and located in the Warehouse District, is as much a place to hang out and socialize as it is an indoor golf facility. The sleek, semi-private club on West Cabarrus Street is equipped with hitting bays, a state-of-the-art virtual putting green and a bar featuring local beer and wine for patrons.
“When we decided we wanted to call it a ‘country club,’ we wanted to take the concept of a country club and flip it on its head,” says co-owner Elyssa. “Everyone’s welcome here, you can wear what you want, music is playing and we’re here to have fun.”
It’s a distinct contrast to the traditional golf scene where high costs of entry and rounds that can take hours to play prevent many prospective golfers that lack the time and resources from taking up the hobby.
“I see us being a part of growing the game of golf through how approachable this space is,” says Dave, who is also a licensed PGA golf instructor. He offers training sessions to groups and individual players looking to improve their skills by appointment.
“When you rent a hitting bay, it’s all yours and private to you,” Dave continues. “It’s different than trying to hit balls on a driving range. Here, you can hit the ball sideways. It doesn’t matter.”
Trackman Simulator at Dogwood Country Club
The Nastalskis say they wanted to create a business that would make the game more accessible and time conscious for patrons. With stationary hitting bays, guests can play 18 virtual holes in less than an hour and the facility attracts experienced golfers looking to fine-tune their game as well as beginners who have never picked up a golf club.
Dogwood quickly became popular with the downtown crowd and is now home to a community of 200 members. Though it offers monthly membership packages with benefits such as unlimited access to hitting bays, guest passes and priority booking privileges, Dogwood is open to the public as well. Bay rentals start at $40 an hour and can support groups of up to eight players at a time. Guests can use complimentary demo clubs or are welcome to bring their own. The club features world-class golf technology including Trackman, a golf swing monitor that computes swing metrics such as distance and accuracy, and Puttview, virtual putting software that simulates slope and speed.
When the Nastalskis originally signed a nine-month lease to open Dogwood, the Cabarrus Street property that’s home to the club was listed for sale at the time. They took a big risk, the couple says.
“We invested pretty much everything we had,” says Dave.
“More than what we had,” Elyssa adds, with a laugh.
The gamble paid off. When new owners bought the property last year, the valuable real estate was prime for redevelopment. But the new owners have allowed the Nastalskis to stay. With Dogwood as an anchor, they plan to divide the neighboring spaces into suites with the intention of becoming a destination area for downtown residents and visitors. The Nastalskis say they plan to sign an 8- to 10-year extension on their lease.
“Downtown has a way of pulling in a certain crowd,” says Elyssa. “It’s a more diverse crowd and a pretty progressive crowd that’s excited about new things and new technology. It fits well.”
Cool fall weather provides the perfect excuse to take your work outside. Where better to do it than at Union Station Plaza’s Outdoor Office in the heart of downtown’s Warehouse District? The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is bringing back the co-working pop-up office this month, with even better accommodations and amenities such as comfy furniture from Alfred Williams, free Wi-Fi, shade umbrellas, fun programming and more. Grab your daily to-dos and head to Union Station Plaza from September 30 to October 4 and October 7 to October 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Be your most efficient self while enjoying some fresh workspace scenery.
