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Good afternoon, Raleigh. How do you fix a broken pumpkin?

With a pumpkin patch. 🎃

NEW ADDITION: As you’ll see today and every Thursday going forward, a local live music section has been added for places you can go to hear local live music on Fridays + Saturdays each weekend. 🙌

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 6 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend

• Local live music

• Raleigh university out of options?

• Local restaurants expanding and moving

• New non-stop flights coming to RDU

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

STORIES THIS WEEK

Local Raleigh cafe expanding 🍻

Jim Ranieri, founder of Beow’s Books & Brews in Raleigh, is opening a second location this summer at Falls River Town Center, just 15 months after launching his first. The new store will be larger, with more books, seating, and a bigger kitchen, and Ranieri hopes to create another community hub offering coffee, food, beer, and events.

A former teacher, Ranieri has seen strong growth, with food sales driving over half of Beow’s $600,000 revenue in 2024, and projections of up to $1.3 million by 2026. The store features menu items inspired by Tolkien, a personal passion for Ranieri, and serves as a screen-free gathering space for book clubs and community events. With plans to expand into other Triangle towns, Ranieri envisions 10 Beow’s locations within the next decade.

Raleigh University running out of options? 🏫

Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh has once again lost an appeal to keep its accreditation, following a decision by its accrediting agency to remove the school due to its ongoing financial troubles. The university will now enter a 90-day arbitration process to temporarily maintain its accreditation, as it did in a similar situation last year. Despite making efforts to cut expenses and secure funding—such as a high-interest $7 million loan backed by its real estate—the school’s financial future remains uncertain.

Officials also announced a potential $70 million bridge loan, though questions remain about past agreements and the viability of funding partners like 50 Plus 1 Sports. University leaders insist they’re making progress and have assured students that spring 2025 graduates will receive accredited degrees.

Local Slice Pie Company is moving and growing 🥧

Kristen Mullins, owner of Slice Pie Company in Raleigh, is expanding her 11-year-old business with a new retail location and increased production capacity. Slice is moving into a shared space with Sugar Euphoria at 606 N. Person St., just in time for its grand opening on National Pi Day. The new location, in a lively area near Historic Oakwood, will offer pies, coffee, and host events and classes.

Meanwhile, production has shifted to a 22,000-square-foot facility in Graham, allowing Slice to scale from 200 to 3,000 pies a day to meet growing national demand and serve corporate events. Mullins and her team have also represented Raleigh at major events like the U.S. Open and continue to promote the city through partnerships and appearances across the country.

New non-stop flights coming to RDU ✈️

After years of reducing its presence at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Spirit Airlines is making a major comeback by adding five new nonstop routes. Starting in May, Spirit will offer flights from RDU to Baltimore, Detroit, Dallas-Fort Worth, Newark, and New Orleans, increasing competition on routes already served by other carriers.

The expansion comes as RDU continues its rapid growth and Spirit works through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization following its failed merger with JetBlue. Spirit first launched service at RDU in 2019 but scaled back during the pandemic, leaving just one route until now. With its reorganization plan recently approved, Spirit appears to be betting big on Raleigh-Durham as part of its recovery strategy.

Avelo Airlines has also announced three new non-stop flights coming to RDU: Nassau in the Bahamas, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Wilmington, Deleware.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC THIS WEEKEND

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Friday, March 14

• Steamroom Etiquette @ Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Iron Works
  Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Matt Letch @ Salty Turtle Beer Co.
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wakefield
  Time: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• 22 Strings Band @ Tin Roof
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Glenwood South
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Jared Pace @ Level7 Rooftop
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ North Hills Midtown
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Lucky Feeling – Super Reg Split Release, Dull Mourning, Demorize @ Kings
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Warehouse District
  Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

• Andrew Young, BFD @ Bedford Food & Drink
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Falls River Bedford
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Johnny G @ Saints & Scholars Pub
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Spring Forest
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Cole Spade @ Tonic Bar & Social Club
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Wakefield
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Gatsby's Unplugged - Open Mic @ Gatsby's Bar
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Millbrook
  Time: 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM

• Maskell Freeman Duo @ The Mill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Rex Hospital
  Time: 7:30 PM - 11:00 PM

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Saturday, March 15

• For The People @ Raleigh Iron Works
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Iron Works
  Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• Jared Pace @ Level7 Rooftop
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ North Hills Midtown
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Southpaw Soul @ Hops and Berry Taproom
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Six Forks & Sawmill
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Gatsby's Unplugged Open Mic @ Gatsby's Bar
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Millbrook
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Maskell Freeman Duo @ The Mill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Rex Hospital
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Kevin Lee @ The Piper’s Restaurant & Tavern
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Duraleigh
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• RAAD OG @ Hero’s Pub & Sandwich Shop
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Duraleigh
  Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• The Goodloves @ The Berkeley Cafe
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
  Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

• Open Mic w/ Brian @ Scooter’s Bar & Grill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Falls of Neuse 540
  Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM

• Dear Sister @ Back Then Bar & Grill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Atlantic & Millbrook
  Time: 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM

• DJ HiFi – Artist & Album Tribute @ Motorco Music Hall
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Warehouse District
  Time: 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM

• Aaron Haney & Riley’s Music Experience @ North Ridge Country Club
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Falls of Neuse
  Time: 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

Intersection of Blue Ridge Road and US-70 - October 6, 1966.

Leadmine/Leesville Road can be seen in the distance across the bridge. At the time, Crabtree Valley Mall existed only on paper and the man behind the planned shopping center, Kidd Brewer, knew he needed efficient entry points for his future development.

He proposed to reroute a one-tenth of a mile section of Blue Ridge Road so it crossed Crabtree Creek and fed into Leadmine- which is its present-day orientation.

Brewer made a deal with the State Highway Commission to get the road built by signing over almost two acres of his land and contributing $22,000 of its $200,000 price tag.

Once the project was finished, the former section of Blue Ridge Road was renamed Crabtree View Place.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

76 🌡️ 54 | 🌤️ | 0%

Saturday

82 🌡️ 64 | 🌤️ | 0%

Sunday

76 🌡️ 50 | ⛈️ | 80%

LOCAL SPORTS

Hockey 🏒

• Friday: Detriot Red Wings @ Carolina Hurricanes | 7 PM

• Saturday: Carolina Hurricanes @ Philadelphia Flyers | 7 PM

Men’s College Basketball 🏀

The men’s ACC Tournament is taking place this week in Charlotte.

Click here for an up-to-date tournament bracket, scores, and game times.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who likes to genies. 🧞‍♂️

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!