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Good afternoon, Raleigh. What did one plate say to another plate?
Tonight, dinner’s on me. 🍽️
In today’s Raleigh Rundown:
6 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend + live local music
Pingpong Bar and Restaurant is coming to Raleigh
Whaterburger buys former Applebee’s location
Walmart is king of grocery sales in Raleigh
Let’s get to it. 🏃♂️
STORIES THIS WEEK
Carolina Ale House location closing - turning into a pinpong bar and restaurant 🏓
LM Restaurants is closing its Carolina Ale House location at 500 Glenwood Avenue and replacing it with a new ping pong-themed bar and restaurant called Smash, set to open this summer. The new venue will feature more than 10 ping pong tables, a rooftop patio, and a full food and drink menu, including cocktails and entrées.
LM says the decision reflects a shift toward “eatertainment,” as more consumers seek experiences alongside dining. While the rest of the Triangle’s Carolina Ale House locations are performing strongly, Glenwood South was chosen as the ideal spot for this new activity-driven concept.
Whataburger buys former Raleigh Applebee’s site 🍔
Whataburger has purchased a former Applebee’s property at 501 E. Six Forks Road in Raleigh for $4.75 million as part of its expansion into North Carolina. The chain plans to demolish the existing building and construct a new restaurant with a drive-thru, though the Raleigh location isn’t expected to open until 2026.
In addition to this site, Whataburger is also planning another Raleigh location at a former PDQ on Falls of Neuse Road. The company aims to eventually open 10 locations per year across the state, with sites already planned in Charlotte, the Triad, Southern Pines, and Fayetteville.
Walmart remains king of grocery sales in Raleigh 🛒
Grocery sales in the Triangle surpassed $8.7 billion in 2024, with $6.6 billion spent in the Raleigh area alone. Walmart remained the top grocery retailer in the region, capturing over 20% of the market share and generating $1.34 billion in sales.
Food Lion and Harris Teeter followed closely behind, while Publix surged to the No. 4 spot with $458 million in sales and nearly 7% market share. Publix now operates 11 stores in the area, up from eight the year before. In the Durham-Chapel Hill area, Walmart also led the market, followed by Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Target, and Costco.
Raleigh home prices fall 🏡
The Raleigh housing market remains fluid as economic uncertainty continues to rise. Median home prices in Raleigh dropped slightly in March to $527,350, while closed sales saw a modest 3% increase, reflecting a mixed market. Across Wake County, home prices dipped 5% year-over-year, but new listings surged 21%, signaling the start of the spring buying season. High mortgage rates above 6.5% and shifting global economics make the housing outlook for 2025 uncertain.
Meanwhile, the airline industry is facing turbulence due to sweeping tariffs introduced by President Trump. Delta Air Lines is already planning to reduce flights in the second half of 2025, reversing earlier optimistic forecasts. The slowdown could impact growth at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which had a record-setting year in 2024.
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND
25th Annual Lebanese Festival | Friday + Saturday | 241 Horizon. Dr, Raleigh
Check out the 25th Annual Lebanese Festival hosted at Baytna, aka the Triangle Lebanese American Center. All kinds of Lebanese food and desserts, traditional Lebanese dabke performances from our Dabke groups of all ages, Lebanese beer and alcohol, and even a traditional Lebanese wedding celebration of 'Zaffeh'!
COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors
Three Seasons Vendor Market - Easter Egg-Stravaganza | Saturday, 11 AM - 5 PM | 9500 Forum Dr, Raleigh
Three Seasons Vendor Market: Easter Egg-Stravaganza. Hop into spring at the Three Seasons Vendor Market for a day full of fun, local flavor, and Easter cheer! Games, coloring pages, and Easter fun for the kids as well.
COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors
2025 Pimento Cheese Festival | Saturday, 11 AM- 4 PM | 327 S Academy St, Cary
Enjoy the nation’s only festival dedicated specifically to pimento cheese! Join over 50 food vendors at Downtown Cary Park to savor the flavor of incredibly unique pimento cheese-infused dishes. Previous years have seen creative culinary feats including pimento cheese ice cream (don’t judge ‘ til you try), pimento cheese egg rolls, pimento cheese empanadas, and much more.
Beyond the food, the day will be full of performances, activities, and other entertainment throughout the Park.
COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors
Carolina Hurricanes | Saturday + Sunday | Lenovo Center
The Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Rangers on Saturday at 3 PM at the Lenovo Center.
COST: $110 and up
On Sunday, the Carolina Hurricanes take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at 5 PM at the Lenovo Center.
COST: $71 and up
Tacos ‘N Taps Festival | Saturday, 12 - 5 PM | Koka Booth Ampitheatre - 8003 Regency Pkwy, Cary
The festival will feature over 10+ Taco Trucks, Taquerias, and Mexican Restaurants with Over 30 different types of tacos. Each taco vendor will offer a wide variety of tacos and Mexican inspired dishes available. We guarantee they will ALL feature at least one taco option for $3.
Jagged Edge performing live | Sunday, 8 PM | Martin Marietta Center, 2 E South St, Raleigh
R&B group Jagged Edge is performing live at the Martin Maritta Center this Sunday at 8 PM.
COST: $103 and up
LIVE LOCAL MUSIC THIS WEEKEND
🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Friday, April 11
Karaoke w/ DJ DC Price @ The Corner Tavern & Grill
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Clayton DT
Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PMNC Symphony - Elgar Enigma @ Martin Marietta Ctr Performing Arts
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Memorial Auditorium
Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PMBlue Cup Riot @ Scooter’s Bar & Grill
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Tap Yard Raleigh
Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PMMoonlight Rescue Band @ O’Malley’s Pub & Restaurant
Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Duraleigh
Time: 8:00 PM - 11:00 PMIdol Talk, Dead Cool, Brighter Than A Thousand Suns @ Flat Iron
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Center City Park
Time: 8:30 PM - 11:30 PMThe River Otters @ Arcana Bar & Lounge
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ US401
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:59 PMKaraoke w/ DJ Blue @ West 54th St. Pub
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ NC751 / NC54
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:59 PMSayer McShane @ Mulligans Barcade & Tavern
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:59 PMDan Davis Group @ Slim’s Dive Bar
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:59 PMStepper Friday @ Halcyon Bar & Lounge
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Glenwood S
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:59 PMKings of the Highway @ Woody’s Tavern - Cary
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:59 PMWinders of Sidewinder @ Woody’s Tavern - Cary
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT
Time: 9:20 PM - 11:59 PM2Digh4 Duo @ Uncle Jessie’s Honkytonk
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Five Points
Time: 9:20 PM - 11:59 PMHeather Rogers @ The Cardinal Bar - Clayton
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
Time: 9:20 PM - 11:59 PM97.5’s DJ Grant @ Halftime Sports Lounge
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
Time: 9:75 PM - 11:59 PMAmazing Lounge Lizards @ Hero’s Pub & Sandwich Shop
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Six Forks / Sawmill
Time: 10:00 PM - 11:59 PMAshley Robinson @ Wild Wing Cafe
Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Brier Creek NE
Time: 10:00 PM - 11:59 PM
🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Saturday, April 12
Will Mcbride @ Koka Booth Amphitheatre
Neighborhood: RTP @ NC54 / I865
Time: 12:00 PM - 2:45 PMEmma Rae @ La/Da Wine Shop
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMSidewinder (Final Show) @ Lincoln Theatre
Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Atlantic / Millbrook
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMTone Merchants @ Scooter’s Bar & Grill
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Capital / I-540
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMCrystal Ship, Ultimate Doors Tribute @ Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ FeltonEuse / Dunn
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMHeather Rogers @ The Wandering Moose Tavern
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Lynn / Creedmoor
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMNight Brew @ Saints And Scholars Pub
Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Spring Forest / Falls
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMParty Rowdy @ Carolina Ale House - Brier Creek
Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Brier Creek NE
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMGrace Lucia Lee @ Ionic Bar & Social Club
Neighborhood: Wake Forest DT @ Greenwell
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMAndy Squyres House Concert @ House On The Rock
Neighborhood: Wake Forest S @ Ligon Mill / Greenwell
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK
Five Points looking south from the roof of Hayes Barton Baptist Church, September 1970.
📸 N&O Negative Collection
WEEKEND WEATHER
Friday
63 🌡️ 47 | ⛈️ | 70%
Saturday
59 🌡️ 43 | 🌥️ | 20%
Sunday
66 🌡️ 48 | 🌤️ | 0%
LOCAL SPORTS
Hockey 🏒
Saturday: New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes | 3 PM
Sunday: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Carolina Hurricanes | 5 PM
Baseball ⚾️
Friday: Durham Bulls @ Buffalo Bisons | 6:05 PM
Saturday: Durham Bulls @ Buffalo Bisons | 6:05 PM
Sunday: Durham Bulls @ Buffalo Bisons | 1:05 PM
THANKS!
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