Jun
22

Ciao Bella Hits the Road Again

ciao_bella Tomorrow, Ciao Bella, the excellent gelato, kicks off their national Discover-Savor-Share 2009 sampling tour in Raleigh. The tour, which also hit Raleigh last summer, aims to hand out one million free samples of their yummy frozen desserts to consumers across the country throughout the summer. The single serve cups come in some of Ciao Bella’s most popular flavors, including Blood Orange sorbet, Mango sorbet, Lemon sorbet, Tahitian Vanilla gelato, and Chocolate Hazelnut gelato. 

“We’re thrilled to share our single serve cups with consumers, allowing them to discover a new way to savor Ciao Bella just in time for summer,” said Deborah Holt, Vice President of Marketing at Ciao Bella. “Whether for the beach, a barbecue, or at home, we’re confident that brand loyalists and newcomers alike will love these personalized, mini, indulgent escapes this season.”

Here are the Raleigh events:

  • Tuesday, 11am – 2pm: Fresh Market, Cameron Village
  • Tuesday, 4pm – 7pm: Fresh Market, Sutton Square (N. Raleigh)
  • Wednesday, 11am – 2pm: Whole Foods, Ridgewood Shopping Ctr.
  • Wednesday, 4pm – 7pm: Harris Teeter, Cameron Village
Jun
19

222 Glenwood Sees More Retail Changes

As reported 24 days ago here, the Dunkin’ Donuts is closing at 222 Glenwood. Today is the last day, but there are new businesses coming to the retail level of the condo building. Word is that the space formerly occupied by European Espresso & Wine Cafe will become a second pizza-by-the-slice entry to the Glenwood South market.

Also coming to the area will be “an Asian place”. It isn’t clear as to whether the restaurant will occupy the former Dunkin’ Donuts space or will do the long-awaited upfit on the space to the left of Tobacco Road. Best bets are on the latter. Hopefully these will be good places that can add to the Glenwood experience.

Jun
18

Second Empire Opening Cafe Annex

Yes, it seems the Reynolds are finally ready for the cat to be out of the bag regarding their long-rumored deli concept on Hillsborough Street. On Friday, Sue Stock reported that Second Empire is planning to open a “small cafe and market” in the empty building between the Second Empire restaurant and the Clarion Hotel. The owners hope to capitalize on the new opportunities that the relocated Campbell Law School will offer. In the meantime the restaurant is making a strong push for their special events services, especially for wedding receptions. A new space in the restaurant’s property facing Edenton Street will host additional space for such occasions.

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Jun
15

Whole Foods Planned for North Raleigh

Whole-Foods The plan for the new Whole Foods (.PDF) at Six Forks and Strickland Roads in Raleigh has been submitted to the city’s Planning Commission. The plan calls for a 40,000 square foot retail store, a sea of about 275 parking spaces, and a 13,000 square foot strip retail building on a previously clear-cut large lot adjacent to two major arteries.

This plan is the very definition of “car-dependent sprawl” with no chance of ever evolving into anything else. If Harris Teeter, Food Lion, or a developer such as John Kane planned such a cookie cutter design, they would be lambasted as being backward-thinking, earth-hating, Capitalist pigs. Somehow trumping itself as being greener than thou allows Whole Foods to get away with this.

Whole Foods is an outstanding, high-priced food market. However let’s stop pretending that Whole Foods is anything other than what they are; a big box chain whose sole interest is their stock-holders. That’s all they are at Ridgewood, and that’s all they are going to be in North Raleigh.

Jun
15

Take the Shop Local Challenge

A friend of mine who owns a one-shop operation sent me a nice little challenge. In the spirit of the 5 Businesses You Miss Most, take the challenge and see if we can keep the locals healthy and strong:

  • 3 – What three independently owned businesses would you miss of they disappeared? Stop in. Say Hello. Pick up something that brings a smile. Your purchases keep those businesses around.
  • 50 – If half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned, independent businesses, $42.6 billion in revenue would be generated. Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the employed population did that.
  • 68 – For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.
  • 1 – The number of people it takes to start the trend…you
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