⚡️️ Sponsorship - Get your product or service in front of hundreds of Raleigh locals

Good afternoon, Raleigh. What do rabbits need after getting caught in the rain?

A hare dryer. 🐇

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 6 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend

• Local brewery closes location

• New RDU to Panama direct flights

• When will Apple begin construction in RTP?

Let’s get to it. 🏃

Stories this week

Clouds Brewing closes Raleigh location but plans to expand 🍺

A local Raleigh brewery, Clouds Brewing, recently closed its downtown taproom after a decade due to declining sales and an expiring lease. However, the brewery signed a deal with distributor Empire Distributors to significantly increase production and open a larger Triangle taproom facility next year. Clouds has struggled with limited space at its current midtown production site.

With that lease also expiring soon, they are seeking a new 10,000-20,000 square foot space to expand operations. The distribution partnership will allow entry into grocery/convenience stores regionally and in neighboring states. While closing the Raleigh location, Clouds maintains its Durham taproom and aims to double production this year ahead of the larger 2024 facility.

RDU to Panama City flight bookings looking strong 🛫

Copa Airlines is reporting positive early bookings for its new nonstop flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Panama City, Panama, which launches June 21 with four weekly frequencies. CEO Pedro Heilbron says the healthy booking numbers bode well for the route's viability in the Triangle market.

He previously stated plans to increase frequencies as demand grows. Copa joins Lufthansa and Aeromexico in adding new nonstop services from RDU over the next two months, though Aeromexico's route could face complications from a potential split with partner Delta Air Lines.

Apple’s RTP campus is still undeveloped 🧑‍💻

Three years after announcing plans for a massive 3,000-job campus in Research Triangle Park, Apple has made little visible progress at the site. The tech giant has obtained some state permits but has not resubmitted paperwork to Wake County to get final local building approvals.

While construction has not started, design work appears ongoing for Apple's multi-building RTP campus hinted for potential 2026 completion. In the interim, Apple has been hiring significantly in temporary spaces around the Triangle, allowing it to potentially meet job creation milestones for up to $845.8 million in state incentives before its permanent campus is built.

New office building in North Hills is about to open 🏢

As the new office building One North Hills in Raleigh's North Hills Main District opens, Kane Realty Corp. has announced five office leases totaling over 72,500 square feet. The new tenants include HNTB taking a full 31,000 square foot floor, Raymond James leasing 2,500 square feet, The Starboard Holding Companies taking 5,000 square feet, tobacco company JTI leasing 17,000 square feet for a U.S. headquarters, and an undisclosed 17,000 square foot tenant.

The walkable amenities and restaurants of the mixed-use development attracted tenants despite high office vacancy rates in the region. Kane spent over a year pre-leasing the 266,000 square foot, 10-story Class A office building before securing these first set of leases.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

Durham Bulls VS Memphis Redbirds | Games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday | Durham Bulls Athletic Park

The Durham Bulls play at home this weekend against the Memphis Redbirds.

• Friday: Fireworks after the game

• Saturday: Fireworks after the game

• Sunday: Weel E. Bull’s birthday

Click here for tickets.

COST: $13 and up

Laps of Honor Memorial Day Weekend Ride | Saturday, 10 AM - 2 PM | Tabacco Road Harley-Davidson: 1126 South Saunders Street, Raleigh

No registration fee, however, donations will be welcomed. Come out and support the US Veterans Corps and the Laps of Honor Ride.

Registration starts at Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson at 10 AM | KSU at 11 AM | Return to Tobacco Road around 12 for music, free drinks, and food. It's going to be a great day of remembering and honoring our Veterans.

COST: Free to attend, donations welcomed

North Carolina Symphony - Tchaikovsky Spectacular | Saturday, 8 PM | Koka Booth Amphitheatre - 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary

Check out the North Carolina Symphony at this thrilling outdoor performance.

Click here for tickets.

COST: $35 and up

Durham Underground Market | Sunday, 11 AM - 3 PM | Durham Central Park - 501 Foster St, Durham

Check out this monthly series featuring new bands every month from Oak City Music Collective, 45+ local vendors, food trucks, workshops by Joy Worthy Co, beer/wine/bubbly from The Glass Jug, and more!

Schedule:
- Event start: 11 am
- Bands: 12 pm - 3 pm
- Everything else: 11 am - 3 pm

House music will be played during band breaks.

Shop from unique vendors. Jam out to awesome music. Grab drinks and food. And make memories with your friends and family!

COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors

NC Sugar Rush | Sunday, 12 - 7 PM | Raleigh City Plaza - 420 Fayetteville St, Raleigh

Enjoy a Dessert-filled experience like no other at the City Plaza Downtown Raleigh. Dessert Foods of all kinds, Merchant Vendors, Axe Throwing, DJ, and supporting the Wake County Foster Care System.

COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE FUTURE EVENTS

June 1: Raleigh’s International Food Festival. Over 50 food trucks/dessert trucks from around the globe! Raleigh's largest food festival is celebrating its 8th year. Free to attend, cost for vendors.

June 9: Pay-what-you-can food truck rodeo hosted by A Place At The Table taking place at 300 W. Hargett St, Raleigh. Multiple food trucks will be available, and all for a great cause.

June 12: Justin Timberlake is performing at the PNC Arena. Click here to tickets.

June 14: Dave Matthews Band performing at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. Click here for tickets.

June 26: Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. Click here for tickets.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

88 🌡️ 68 | ⛈️ | 60%

Saturday

87 🌡️ 66 | ⛈️ | 40%

Sunday

91 🌡️ 70 | ⛈️ | 30%

LOCAL SPORTS

Baseball ⚾️

Men’s ACC Tournament began Tuesday of this week and concludes on Sunday. Click here for updated results.

Durham Bulls 🐂

• Friday: Memphis Redbirds @ Durham Bulls | 6:35 PM

• Saturday: Memphis Redbirds @ Durham Bulls | 6:35 PM

• Sunday: Memphis Redbirds @ Durham Bulls | 5:05 PM

Soccer ⚽️

• Friday: NC Courage (women) @ Houston Dash | 8 PM

• Saturday: NCFC (men) @ Miami FC | 7 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves trains. 🚂 

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!