In 2012 there will be some surprising big box store closings. There has been a concerted effort in previous years to buy local and shun the big boxes. However in 2012, larger market forces instead of grassroots organizations will probably be what shuts the doors for some of these outlets.

Here is a look ahead at the list of retail and restaurant businesses that have an aura of danger according to this one man’s senses (in no particular order, and no wishes associated):

• Best Buy
• Kmart
• Salsarita’s
• Taco Bell
• Dillard’s
• A.C. Moore
• Jibarra or Cantina South
• OfficeMax and Office Depot
• Cinelli’s (North Hills)
• QShack (North Hills)
• Fresh Market (Cameron Village)
• Charlotte’s (North Hills)
• Fiesta Mexicana
• Applebee’s (A few locations)
• Nowell’s
• Sam Ash or Guitar Center
• McCormick and Schmick’s
• Barnes & Noble (not all locations)
• The news staff at NBC17

Any thoughts or additions?

1/5/12 – Here are some more for the list:

• Radio Shack
• Pronto Pasta
• Bear Rock (Lake Boone)

1/16/12 – I completely forgot to add this one, but the last time I was in there the store was about 70% empty:

• Blockbuster Video – Townridge Square

I don’t mean to pick on these merchants, but if I had a gift certificate or significant savings coupon for any of these, I would probably go ahead and use them sooner than later.

I have mixed emotions here. I was always a big fan of Ragsdale’s brother-in-law, the late Jerry Young, and followed him from Jolly’s in North Hills Mall to his own store in Cameron Village. He sold that store to Rocky Mount’s Clyde Bailey, and it still remains an excellent store. In the face of Cameron Village’s shift toward more chain retailers, Ragsdale moved Jolly’s to a showcase location in the new North Hills as one of the center’s first tenants. The location was highly visible and made a great statement about both the quality of shopping in North Hills and the center’s dedication to local retailers. However the interior of the store always felt awkward and cold, and I only entered one time.

Emotions aside, it is easy to believe that the jewelry business is terrible now. The price of gold (chart) has skyrocketed more than 700% in the last ten years. Couple that with a poor economy and you get a one-two punch that is sending many local dealers out of business.

Some also ponder the viability of brick & mortar retail in a shopping center like North Hills which is notorious for high (really high) rents. We recently saw Tyler House’s closing, and one has to wonder if the dam isn’t finally breaking on the backs of many other high-end retailers.

What comes next for the space in North Hills? Another Italian restaurant? Just kidding. I always thought that corner would have been perfect location for a two-story Barnes & Noble as nice as Triangle Town Center’s. Alas B&N’s mistaken evaluation of the market (even before Amazon starting slicing them to pieces) concluded that the pitiful Crabtree store is enough for this part of Raleigh. Ironically a private book store just opened next door to Jolly’s, but I wouldn’t bet on their ability to expand into Jolly’s space.

Most likely another jeweler will take the space. Until that time, Jolly’s will begin their store clearance sale tomorrow.

Tyler House was one of the crown jewels of North Hills Mall. Owned by the Tyler family who lived only a handful of blocks away, Tyler House had a personal touch and was one of the area’s favorite clothing stores. Its success led to the opening of a store in Chapel Hill’s University Mall in the mid-70s. However around 1980 North Hills began losing its luster as Crabtree slowly attracted more local businesses. Seeing the success of the Nowell’s Hooper’s store, for example, the Tylers broke down and took the Crabtree plunge with a store that always felt bland and impersonal. Some time in the mid 80’s or so, the Chapel Hill store closed.

I can’t remember the details, but around the time of the Crabtree store’s closure and a bit before North Hills Mall’s failure, the Tylers moved to Cameron Village with a single store that served them well until their retirement.

One of the first signs of life in the New North Hills, was the opening of a Tyler House store in The Lassiter, in the space that so long held a hair salon. The store endured multiple construction obstacles, with the facelift of the North Hills Plaza (The Lassiter) and the construction of The Alexan.

Raleigh is losing a piece of its history with the closing of Tyler House. It is difficult to run a small, reasonably priced store as national chains have figured out better how to deliver consistent styles at a lower price. The trend also presses heavily on shopping center owners seeking ways to differentiate themselves from any other shopping center in Anywheresville. As the economy continues its tumble, Tyler House will likely be just one of several pieces of Raleigh’s DNA that is lost.

We carry a wide variety of books including the current bestsellers. From mysteries to romance we have all the popular authors.

Note: The NH Bookery will occupy the space that Wolf Camera once filled, to the right of Jolly’s.

Clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business, and rentals are not covered by the exemption and will be subject to the applicable tax.

Here is more info from the NC Dept of Revenue:

• List of Items Exempt During the Sales Tax Holiday (.pdf)
• List of Frequently Asked Questions
• Sales and Use Tax Technical Bulletin  Section 34-24 – August Sales Tax Holiday (.pdf)

The Triangle experience is unique, but in a subtle way. We don’t have a expressly tourist district. We don’t have centuries-old ethnic customs. Rather, the Triangle is a great place to raise a family and live a normal life.

When the Hartford Whalers moved to Raleigh, the team was adopted at a moderate rate. However the playoff series in 2001 against the New Jersey Devils cemented this team in many Triangle residents’ hearts. The team’s popularity grew in the ensuing years until 2006 when the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. Ever since the Canes have been a universal success, and found their way into the hearts of even the area’s most die-hard college basketball fans.

The tradition of college basketball runs deep here, and the area has become known in the basketball world as “Tobacco Road”. This is an unfortunate moniker, however, as it so inaccurately paints the Triangle lifestyle picture. The Triangle is about education and tech. The only industrial component to our history lies in Durham’s history in producing tobacco products, but those are days long gone.

Because much of Raleigh’s growth has happened in the last 45 years, there is a strong suburban component here that has been attractive to hundreds of thousands of transplants. While there is plenty of Anywheresville stuff, there is more do to and enjoy than most have the time or money to do. Eat a southern hot dog, some barbecue, and a hot doughnut as you ride around and take in the area that so many people decided to call home.

Navigation

In the Triangle the car is king. The area has excellent roadways, though some of the nomenclature confuses some newcomers and visitors. There are a few key points to mastering the roads in the Raleigh area:

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• I-440 is an old, bell-shaped highway that joins I-40 at both ends. Wade Avenue is a westward radial out of (just north of) downtown Raleigh that extends past the RBC Center and spills into I-40. Glenwood Avenue is Raleigh’s longest street, and is a radial that extends out of downtown in a northwest direction. Other important radials include St. Mary’s Street/Lassiter Mill Road and Wake Forest Road on the north side, and Hillsborough Street and Western Blvd on the southwest side.
• I-440 and the portions of I-40 between the connections with I-440 have traditionally been called “The Beltline”. Do not be misled, however, into thinking that this is a closed circular highway. Older parts of Raleigh are inside the beltline, or “ITB”. ITB vs. OTB is a big thing with some here.
• I-440’s two directions are “West” and “East”. They literally refer to the section of Raleigh where you will eventually connect back with I-40.
• I-540 is a relatively new, incomplete arc that exists in the northwest and northeast quadrants Raleigh.
• Edwards Mill Road connects the RBC Center at Wade Ave. and Crabtree Valley Mall at Glenwood Ave.
• St. Marys St./Lassiter Mill Road connects downtown to North Hills (at I-440)
• The most reliable parking access to the RBC Center is usually accomplished by taking Hillsborough St. to Youth Center Drive (map it), which leads directly into the stadium parking lot. Once inside the stadium lot, bear left and park as close to the football stadium as possible. If you are approaching the RBC Center from the west (From the airport side), DO NOT attempt to use the “recommended” Wade Avenue/Edwards Mill route. This will guarantee being late to your event. (instead, stay on I-40 past the Wade Ave exit and take Hillsborough Street eastbound to Youth Center Drive.) I-40 can be a complete nightmare, so be prepared to navigate the highway 54 alternative.
• Downtown Raleigh has free, counterclockwise circulator bus called the R-Line. It is particularly useful for getting around downtown Raleigh. There is bus service from Downtown and from North Hills via the Caniac Coach.
• The FanFest events will take place at the Raleigh Convention Center. Here are some hints about easily accessing this facility. (map it)

Driving Tour

If you want to take a driving tour, here are some high points for each region of the Triangle

Raleigh

• NC Museum of Art – The recipient of the AIA’s best building of 2010 award has to be appreciated from the inside, where much of the NCMA’s fantastic collection is held. Highlighting the impressive collection are 30 Rodin original pieces. (map it)
• NC Museum of Natural Sciences – The largest museum of its kind in the Southeast features many impressive permanent exhibits, but none matches the Acrocanthosaurus, the most complete specimen of its kind in the world. (map it)
• NC Governor’s Mansion – The 1891 mansion occupying one full block in downtown Raleigh is one of the largest public executive residences in the U.S. (map it)
• Raleigh Convention Center – The fairly new convention center will play host to the fanfest, however be sure to take a peek at the ceiling in the grand ballroom on the top floor. (map it)
• Shimmer Wall – Contained in the Convention Center’s west facade, the Cree Shimmer Wall is especially impressive on a sunny, windy day. (map it)
• NC State Capitol – Built in 1833 the NC Capitol is largely an historic site with some offices for top governmental positions. The legislative Building is where the House and Senate have done their work since 1963. (map it)
• There are many bars on Glenwood Ave in downtown, however the bars are a little more laid back in the Fayetteville and Wilmington Street area.
• The Cupcake Shoppe on Glenwood is always fun stop on the R-Line. (map it)
• Dorton Arena – This 7,610-seat architectural marvel was built in 1952 on the NC State Fairgrounds. It is a hyperbolic paraboloid that was a major influence in the design of Calgary’s Saddledome.  (map it)
• RBC Center – At the junction of Wade Ave and Edwards Mill Road, near I-40, the 12-year old RBC Center is the shared home for the Carolina Hurricanes and the N.C. State men’s basketball program. The Center shares a large parking lot with N.C. State’s Carter-Finley Stadium, and is home to the NHL’s Largest Tailgating Party. (map it)
• RDU Terminal 2 – If you arrived at Terminal 1, first of all, I am sorry. Terminal 2 was recently completed and is an impressive, beautiful facility. (map it)
• Crabtree Valley Mall – High-end shopping mall containing notables such as: H&M, Forever XXI, J. Crew, Lego, Coach, and the nearby The Container Store.  (map it)
• Triangle Town Center – Saks, Orvis, Z Gallerie. (the 2-story Dick’s Sporting Goods at this location is the store featured in the company’s commercials). Other than those 4, definitely skip it. (map it)
• Angus Barn – Legendary steak restaurant. It has been named to the Nations Restaurant News Hall of Fame and to their 50 All-American Icons list. Steaks, ribs, blue cheese dressing are excellent. Get some cheese to go when you head back to the airport. (map it)
• Notable houses exist at: 2745 Lakeview Dr., 1625 Oberlin Rd (Tatton Hall), 1006 Harvey St. (Mt. Vernon replica), 330 Hillsborough St., 309 N. Blount St.

Closed for refurbishment: NC Governor’s Mansion, IMAX Movie Theater (at Marbles Museum), Crate & Barrel.

Cary

• Cary is a huge bedroom community for RTP, essentially. There are some excellent local sauces available at The Meat House on Kildaire Road. Also worthy of note is the Umstead Hotel and Spa, which will be completely full of NHL visitors. It has received a 5-diamond award for two years running, and their restaurant, Herons, is one of the area’s best.

Chapel Hill

• A Southern Season – If I didn’t live here, A Southern Season would be on my must-stop list while visiting. It is a large specialty food and cooking store that has a large volume of catalog sales. It is a 20 minute drive from the RBC Center. (map it)
• UNC Basketball Museum, Dean Smith Center – One of the storied college basketball programs in history has an impressive museum next door to the 21,000 area. (map it) The rest of the UNC campus is beautiful and worth a quick drive thru, especially Cameron Ave by the Old Well. (map it)
• Shrimp and (Cheese) Grits at Crooks Corner – Grits are like polenta, and the incredible Shrimp and Grits dish as born at Crooks Corner. Be sure to also get some Hoppin’ John. (map it)
• The Lantern – This upscale Asian restaurant is head-spinningly good. (map it)
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield – This floating parallelagram building is notable. (map it)

Durham

• Duke University, Duke Chapel, Cameron Indoor Stadium – Duke is a small, private university that likes to call itself a southern Ivy Leaguer. It’s consistent Gothic architecture creates a gorgeous setting. However the essence of Duke lies in visits to Duke Chapel (map it) and to Cameron Indoor Stadium (map it). Duke is also one of college basketball’s legendary programs, and they have an impressive basketball museum adjacent to their intimate arena.
• Durham Athletic Park – The filming site (map it) for the movie “Bull Durham” was actually used by the Durham Bulls until 1995 when the team moved to the excellent DBAP.
• Durham Performing Arts Center – A new auditorium where The Lion King is currently running. It is next door to the DBAP. (map it).
• Magnolia Grill – Home of one of the nation’s best chefs, Ben Barker. The restaurant is in the Nations Restaurant News Hall of Fame. (map it)
• RTP’s Burroughs-Wellcome building was featured in Natalie Wood’s final movie, Brainstorm, but unfortunately Glaxo has allowed trees to obscure the view from Durham Freeway. (map it)
• Streets at Southpoint Mall – Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters. (map it)

Food

The food that sets this region apart is Eastern North Carolina barbecue, a spicy, vinegar-based preparation of shredded pork. In this area “Barbecue” is only a noun, and is never, NEVER, a verb. The best houses for barbecue are in small towns mostly 1 hour to the east of Raleigh. However there are three good representations of this product at The Pit and Cooper’s BBQ in downtown Raleigh, and The Q-Shack in North Hills. Not to missed along with your bbq is the Brunswick Stew. The Pit is the best of the three, and is likely to be very crowded. It has been featured in all of the magazines and TV shows since it opened a couple of years ago, and is actually the product of one of those Eastern N.C. towns. Pitmaster Ed Mitchell was brought to Raleigh by preservationist Greg Hatem to join his Empire Eats group of restaurants. Please note: Dickey’s BBQ in downtown Raleigh is not Eastern N.C. BBQ. It is a Dallas-based chain that is good in its own right, but should not be included in a brief tour of the area.

The Pit is great, but might not be worth the hassle this weekend. Another great option for BBQ is Smithfield’s Chicken and BBQ. They have stores that are a 10-minute drive from downtown and 5 minutes from RDU in the RTP area. From downtown, get on I-40 East and take Exit 303. Turn left at the light (map it). The location near RDU is on Davis Drive at Aviation Pkwy (extended), and I suggest using a map to find it. (map it). If you are there for lunch, get a BBQ sandwich with slaw and  a side of Brunswick Stew.

Other foods popular in North Carolina are hot dogs with chili and slaw, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Chick-Fil-A, and Bojangles. Popular places to get the NC hot dog are Snoopy’s (map it), The Roast Grill (map it), and the Village Deli (map it). Krispy Kreme was founded in Winston-Salem in 1937, but opened one of their first expansion stores here in Raleigh (map it). Be sure to get one of their doughnuts when the “Hot Doughnuts Now” neon light is on in the window. (Note: the KK outlet in Raleigh’s City Plaza does not sell the hot doughnuts, so in order to get the full experience, visit the old site). Chick-Fil-A was founded near Atlanta, and has been a staple in southeast shopping malls for decades. They are finally entering northern markets such as Chicago, and have found immense popularity. (The downtown Raleigh location for CFA is not the chain’s strongest stores) (map it) Bojangles is based in Charlotte, and features a spicy, cajun style of fried chicken that people here love. (map it)

As far as the best restaurants in the area, The News & Observer’s Food correspondent, Greg Cox, has assembled a can’t miss list of possibilities. I have had particularly good meals at Buku, Mo’s Diner, Bloomsbury Bistro, Jibarra, Humble Pie, Raleigh Times, Market, 518 West, Sitti, Dos Taquitos Centro, Second Empire, Busy Bee, Mez, An, Coquette, Vivace as well as several others in the Raleigh area. Restaurants are likely to be extremely busy this weekend, but don’t despair. Just throw a dart at that list. You’ll be fine. There are plenty of good restaurant seats in the area if you’ll stick with my list and Cox’s list.

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We hope that you enjoy your stay here. The city of Raleigh has long anticipated the arrival of the NHL All-Star game, targeting it as one of the chief reasons for several area projects. It should be a fantastic weekend for the city, the residents, but most importantly the visitors. Y’all have a good time and come back soon!

When Restoration Hardware opened around 10 years ago, they offered a fresh, funky look at home furnishings. They offered an excellent collection of furniture that put a modern touch on classic French Country. The selection was topped off with an interesting assortment of sit around, funky new versions of antique toys, and more. About a year ago someone in the company thought it would be a good idea to completely change the store’s motif. Instead of the clean, bright, uplifting look that made the store so popular, designers went with an all-shades-of-brown look that created the most depressing retail store I’ve ever seen. The company’s executives will likely blame the housing crash, and perhaps that is what put the company in a tailspin two years ago. However this last attempt at saving the company was the wrong one and was a loser move for consumers.

This is potentially bad news for Crabtree Valley Mall, as well. Crate & Barrel will be closing its doors in the mall on January 23 (and moving to Southpoint on March 3). A loss of Restoration Hardware would leave the once flourishing home furnishings sector of Crabtree to just Pottery Barn.

At 14,000 square feet, Phydeaux’s Raleigh location is larger than the Chapel Hill location. Additionally, Phydeaux Raleigh will continue the tradition of supporting local animal rescue groups and shelters by hosting adoption events and raising funds to donate. Phydeaux does not and will not ever sell animals.

Phydeaux has been awarded Best Pet Supply Store in the Triangle for 4 years running, and is listed as one of Inc. Magazine’s top 5000 fastest growing private companies in the US.

Store Hours:

• Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

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“It’s a magical night of music and laughter at Cameron Village. Start your holiday shopping here and we will treat you to cookies and cider, great entertainment and tons of holiday fun. Bring the kids to see Santa Thursday November 18th from 5 – 8 p.m.”

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The article detailed how Belk is going for a more modern image by retiring the scripted font and replacing it with a sans serif, all lowercase font. While one of the first new signs was installed last week at Crabtree and I had a chance to discuss it with the installers. The new logo does convey a radically different image for the store, however perhaps more intriguing is the sign technology itself. The second featured photo is a closeup of the “b” and it reveals that the sign’s surface is actually a sea of LED lights. The new Golden Corral on Glenwood features a highlight stripe on the building consisting of yellow LEDs, but their actual sign is still neon. Belk’s is the first such LED sign that I’ve seen in the Raleigh area, and I look forward to seeing it at night.

Another major change that will be difficult to accept is the disappearance of the “Hudson” name from the area stores. Several decades ago Charlotte-based Belk bought several local department stores in the region, but allowed their local flavors to remain. For many years Karl Hudson and his family ran the Triangle area stores and did a fine job. Mr. Hudson died about a decade ago and the rest of the family sold their interest, so the Hudson name has been a non-functional relic; a vestigial reminder of the store that once had fabric, toy, electronic, and furniture departments worth visiting.

The new-look “belk” signs aren’t the only recent addition to the walls of the Crabtree Belk store: 5 banners featuring major works displayed at the North Carolina Museum of Art. The banners are gorgeous, and a significant amount of warmth compared the the building’s beige brick facade. I’m also struck by the selection of the works. They all are classic, but show five extremely different styles of painting, yet as a collection, the colors blend well as a set. This is a real treat for those going to dine at Brio, Fleming’s, or McCormick & Schmick’s.

For those interested in other Android phones, you may find a confusing array of choices across the four carriers. Don’t feel bad. There are 26 different Android phones that have been in the conversation this year. Not sure what carrier has the Captivate, the Vibrant, or the G2? Never fear! gogoraleigh has created The Ultimate Android Spreadsheet to straighten all of this out. This sheet was discussed recently on both Engadget Mobile’s and (C|Net’s) Buzz Out Loud’s podcasts because it shows the price levels, brand names, availability dates (of upcoming phones), and distinguishing features of the current Android phone market. Hopefully it will help others as much as it helped me in beginning my search for the next phone.,

A new tenant is finally on the way for the center, however. HomeGoods will open later this year/early 2011 in the space, complimenting the long-successful TJ Maxx in that center.

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Even better news, however, is the arrival of The Meat House to the center’s outparcel. In the space formerly occupied by Mattress Warehouse, next to Moe’s, The Meat House will open in February. It will be the chain’s second area store and will bring all of the delicious fresh and marinated meats to North Raleigh that Cary has been enjoying all year.

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Now to fill that space where Books-A-Million just closed…

Clothing accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, protective equipment, wallets, furniture, items used in a trade or business, and rentals are not covered by the exemption and will be subject to the applicable tax.

Here is more info from the NC Dept of Revenue:

• List of Items Exempt During the Sales Tax Holiday (.pdf)
• List of Frequently Asked Questions (.pdf)
• Sales and Use Tax Technical Bulletin  Section 34-24 – August Sales Tax Holiday (.pdf)

After these buildings are removed, the center will have new sidewalks, bike racks, improved accessibility for the disabled, additional parking, and additional public art. The gas station will be replaced with a charging station for electric cars. There will be no new retail space added.

Ridgewood Shopping Center has transformed itself nicely through the years. While it did have Villa Capri and a great stereo store for a while, it also had a Winn-Dixie and the most depressing sewing store on the planet. Through the last two decades they have done an outstanding job of finding tenants that make the center unique.

Some of the plan’s choices are a little bizarre, though. While the gas station is outdated and is no longer the last chance to get gas before Durham, it still is needed in a part of town where gas stations are less common than they were 20, 30, and 40 years ago. Five years ago there were 241 billion cars on the road. Only a few hundred have been replaced by plug-in models. The McDonald’s in Cary has a pair of plug-in stations, but employees I spoke to have never seen anyone use them yet. A renovated gas station that isn’t a cookie cutter (one that houses a cool coffee shop or has drive-thru full service with grocery pickup) could be a great source of new revenue for Ridgewood.

Very small retail spaces in a safe part of Raleigh are extremely rare. Perhaps some creative thinking could be implemented to utilize the aging offices as a source of revenue, rather that just putting up a parking lot.

The additional parking spaces will be the most inconvenient ones in the whole center. People wanting to go to lower level shops like Brueggers will benefit from the spaces, but nobody seeking stores on the main strip with Whole Foods will be happy settling for a space beyond the drug store.

This plan looks like a way to spend a lot of money and get nothing in return. With a very big 3rd recession dip likely looming, Ridgewood ought to hold tight and do whatever they can to keep rents as low as possible for at least a couple of years. We are getting ready to see a big wave of retail closings in the second half of the year, and local merchants, including restaurants, will be greatly affected. This is not the time to spend tons of money trying to cutesy-up a retail center.

After 20 Years in the organizational and storage business, we have concluded that we need to restructure our company. We are grateful for the loyal customers who have shopped with us over the years. At this time, we regret that we can no longer take orders, offer any refunds, or accept returns.

I was recently at their retail store in Cary and they were running a 30% off sale. Very interesting…

Nevertheless the real reason for mentioning this is that the store had many historical photos and artifacts of Raleigh. If anyone is interested in getting some of these, now is the time to seek the management and see how they plan on getting rid of the items.

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The store is located at 6405 Westgate Road, just north of the Hwy 70 interchange. Store hours are: M-Th (10-6), Fri (10-7), Sat (10-6), Sun (12-6).

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This is great news for a stretch of the corridor which has seen an increase in blight ever since the dawning of Triangle Town Center. No word on what will become of the Mini City GC location (Millbrook and Capital), though a GC employee mentioned the expected replacement of that structure should the Glenwood Avenue replacement be successful.

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