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Note from the editor: I will be out of town next week on a family vacation - so no Ralegh Rundown :(. The next edition will be sent out on Thursday, February 20.

Good afternoon, Raleigh. The other day I was attacked by a bunch of circus clowns in a parking lot.

I won though, cause I went right for the juggler. 🤡

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 5 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend

• New arcade coming to Raleigh

• RTP to be a 15-minute city?

• Outdoor roller hockey rinks opening in Apex

Let’s get to it. 🏃

STORIES THIS WEEK

New Arcade coming to Raleigh 🕹️

Steve Olson, owner of Archetype Strength gyms, is bringing classic arcade gaming to Glenwood South with Super Rad Retro Lounge, set to open in late May or early June. The 2,300-square-foot venue will feature pinball machines, arcade games, air hockey, and pool, alongside a full bar menu.

Located in the former Mojito Lounge space (106 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh), the arcade aims to attract a mature crowd (ages 25-50) while remaining family-friendly during the day. Olson has invested $150,000 in gaming equipment and will run the business with his fiancée, Jennifer Conley.

RDU continues to grow ✈️

RDU is booming—particularly among low-cost carriers, which have increased seat capacity by 46% compared to 2019. The airport now ranks sixth in seat capacity recovery among mid-sized U.S. airports, with overall growth of 12% since 2019.

Over the past six years, RDU has added 17 new nonstop destinations, including Frankfurt, Panama City, and Calgary (launching in 2025). While low-cost carriers like Breeze and Avelo have fueled much of this expansion, legacy airlines have grown more modestly at 2%. Despite the loss of seven destinations since 2019, RDU CEO Mike Landguth hints at more low-cost carrier investments in 2025.

RTP wants to become a 15-minute city 🌇

The Research Triangle Foundation (RTF) is pushing for a major transformation of Research Triangle Park (RTP) with its ambitious "RTP 3.0" plan. If approved in a January 31 vote by park tenants, the plan would introduce mixed-use developments, allowing for housing, shops, and restaurants in areas currently limited to research campuses.

RTF President Scott Levitan envisions a "15-minute city" where residents can live, work, and shop within a short walk or bike ride. While there is broad support, the vote will take place behind closed doors, with land ownership determining voting power. If passed, the plan will still require rezoning approvals from Durham and Wake counties.

Outdoor roller hockey rinks coming to Apex 🏒

The Carolina Hurricanes and the NHL's Industry Growth Fund are teaming up to build two new outdoor roller hockey rinks at Apex Community Park, opening this spring. The $550,000 project will feature 160-by-75-foot rinks with professional-grade dasher boards, player benches, and scoreboards.

One rink will be dedicated to street hockey, while the other will host multiple sports, including futsal and basketball. Hurricanes President Doug Warf says the project aims to expand hockey's reach in the Triangle, with the Town of Apex and the team partnering to offer youth and adult leagues, tournaments, and clinics.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

On September 16, 1967, a capacity crowd filled Carter Stadium to watch NC State defeat UNC 13-7.

The stadium, which had opened just a year earlier, was designed by Raleigh architect Milton Small and Associates to replace the aging Riddick Stadium on NC State's campus.

Construction took nearly two years and cost $3.7 million (equivalent to $34.7 million today). The facility was named for NC State graduates and donors Harry and Nick Carter. In 1979, the Finley name was added to honor A.E. Finley, founder of NC Equipment Company and noted philanthropist.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

75 🌡️ 47 | ⛈️ | 50%

Saturday

60 🌡️ 36 | 🌤️ | 0%

Sunday

58 🌡️ 44 | 🌤️ | 0%

LOCAL SPORTS

Hockey 🏒

• Saturday: Los Angeles Kings @ Carolina Hurricanes | 7:00 PM

Men’s College Basketball 🏀

• Saturday: Clemson at NC State | 1:30 PM

• Saturday: UNC @ Duke | 6:30 PM

THANKS!

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

Have any suggestions for what you would like to see in future editions? Reply to this email and let me know!

Let’s do this again next Thursday!