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Good afternoon, Raleigh. How does Darth Vader like his toast? 

On the dark side. 🍞

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 6 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend + live local music

• WRAL anchor Debra Morgan signing off

• New takeout pizza restaurant coming to Raleigh

• Downtown Raleigh lot primed for huge development for sale

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

STORIES THIS WEEK

WRAL anchor Debra Morgan signing off on May 21 📰

Debra Morgan is stepping away from WRAL after more than 32 years at the station, where she is celebrated for her professionalism, warmth, and community involvement. She joined WRAL in 1993 and spent years anchoring alongside a powerhouse team that included David Crabtree, Greg Fishel, and Tom Suiter. Over her career, Morgan has covered major events like the Olympics, NCAA Final Fours, a Super Bowl, and a Stanley Cup.

In her farewell statement, she expressed deep gratitude to viewers, saying they’ve made her feel like family over the past three decades. A University of Miami graduate, Morgan previously worked in Toledo and Jacksonville before her long tenure in Raleigh. Her final broadcast will be on May 21 at 6 PM.

Oakwood Pizza adding second Raleigh location 🍕

Anthony Guerra, owner of Oakwood Pizza Box, is expanding with a second location set to open this fall at 1842 Wake Forest Road in Raleigh. The new spot, formerly home to Capital Creations, will be carry-out only and offer more parking than the original, helping alleviate growing customer frustrations with the busy Person Street location.

Guerra, who also opened a wine bar called Saint-Pierre at Raleigh Iron Works, has continued growing his brand with expansions into Charleston. Oakwood Pizza Box, known for its Brooklyn-style pies, opened in 2017 and remained popular throughout the pandemic. Guerra brings years of local restaurant experience, including time at Crawford & Sons and his father’s former pizzeria, Bella Mia.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry closing Crabtree location 💎

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry is closing its Crabtree Valley Mall location after 15 years, choosing not to renew its lease as it shifts focus to newer stores in Cary and Charlotte. The Raleigh-based, family-run jeweler recently opened a large store in Fenton and acquired a 70-year-old jewelry business in Charlotte. While Bailey’s described its Crabtree store as “very successful,” the company is prioritizing growth in other markets for now.

Founded in 1948, Bailey’s remains a major name in North Carolina jewelry with locations in Raleigh’s Village District, Greenville, Rocky Mount, and even Los Angeles. The closure comes as Crabtree continues to evolve, recently adding several new retailers while also losing longtime tenants like Forever 21.

Downtown Raleigh lot primed for huge development for sale

Highwoods Properties is listing its surface parking lot at 301 S. Wilmington St. in Downtown Raleigh, aiming to sell it for an “eight-figure” price. The 0.68-acre lot, currently assessed at $11.33 million, generates over $367,000 in annual income but is being marketed as a prime residential development site due to downtown's office space surplus.

Originally intended for an office tower, the post-pandemic market has shifted Highwoods’ focus toward selling rather than building. Zoned for up to 40 stories, the property sits across from PNC Plaza and offers daily and monthly parking. It joins several other notable downtown parcels currently for sale as Raleigh’s urban core continues to evolve.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC THIS WEEKEND

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Friday, April 25

• Vinyl Night! Glam Rock 1970–76 @ Rebus Works
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Boylan Heights
  Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• St. Augustine’s Choir Benefit @ Transfer Co Ballroom
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Papadosio w/ The Wright Ave @ Lincoln Theatre
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Skylar Kergil & Reese McHenry @ The Pour House
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Joe Newberry & April Verch @ Fletcher Opera Theater
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Warren Zeiders: Relapse Tour @ Red Hat Amphitheater
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Convention Center
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Jared Place @ Watts & Ward
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Gatsby’s Unplugged – Open Mic @ Gatsby’s Bar Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Millbrook
  Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

• Music Bingo @ Pourworks
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Iron Works District
  Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

• R&B Fridays featuring DJ Double J @ Union Station Bar & Lounge
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• R&B Fridays featuring DJ Bobby Drake @ Gold Lounge
  Neighborhood: Raleigh SW
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• DJ Kev @ Alchemy Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Saturday, April 26

• Sound System Seven @ Raleigh Capital Stage
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Capital Blvd
  Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Grace Lucid @ Local 919 Beer & Wine
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Falls River
  Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Michael Hodgdon @ Durham Beer Garden
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Six Forks Rd
  Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Sanderson & Bones Bonito @ Rebus Works
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Boylan Heights
  Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• J.T. Parrothead @ North Ridge Wine Market
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Falls of Neuse Rd
  Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

• The Back Roads @ Bottle Theory
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ NW Cary Pkwy
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Skyler Gentry @ The Wandering Moose Tavern
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ North Hills
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Kings of the Highway @ Stag’s Head Beer Garden
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Six Forks Rd
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Stealing Tonight @ The Village
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Glenwood S
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• The Vault @ The Green Light
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Glenwood S
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Matt from Boston @ Aviator Pizzeria & BeerShop
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Clayton Blackwood @ The Mason Jar Lager Company
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Glenwood Ave
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• DJ Kev @ Alchemy Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

Looking north up Daniels Street at its intersection with Clark Avenue in Cameron Village (present-day Village District), February 1967.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

80 🌡️ 63 | 🌤️ | 0%

Saturday

83 🌡️ 54 | ⛈️ | 80%

Sunday

73 🌡️ 50 | 🌤️ | 0%

LOCAL SPORTS

Hockey 🏒

The Carolina Hurricanes take a 2-0 series lead back to New Jersey this weekend.

• Friday: Carolina Hurricanes @ New Jersey Devils | 8 PM

• Sunday: Carolina Hurricanes @ New Jersey Devils | 3:30 PM

Baseball ⚾️

• Friday: Durham Bulls @ Nashville Sound | 7:35 PM

• Saturday: Durham Bulls @ Nashville Sound | 7:35 PM

• Sunday: Durham Bulls @ Nashville Sound | 3:05 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who likes hockey. 🏒

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