A favorite Raleigh restaurant will open a new concept in a familiar spot
After more than a decade, one of Raleigh’s favorite restaurants is expanding.
Next year, the owners of Stanbury will open a new restaurant in the former Escazu space next door to their longtime home at 938 N. Blount St.
Opened in 2013, Stanbury is owned by brothers Joseph and Will Jeffers and chef Drew Maykuth. Over the last decade, it has grown into one of Raleigh’s most popular restaurants and a fixture in the Mordecai neighborhood.
Stanbury owners taking over Escazu spot
Chocolate shop Escazu recently left its Blount Street space for larger digs in the Gateway Plaza shopping center, reopening in July.
Stanbury general manager Joseph Jeffers said the owners decided to move on vacant space next door.
“We weren’t avidly looking to open a new restarant,” Jeffers said. “The stars aligned and we went ahead and took over the lease.”
Is Stanbury expanding?
Details on the new restaurant are scarce. Jeffers said that more kitchen space is a driving factor, but that the concept is still being developed.
“At this point, I can say we have some ideas,” Jeffers said. “Kind of like we did at Stanbury, we’ll try and figure it out as it goes.”
A permit was filed last month suggesting Stanbury will double in size and move into the Escazu space, but Jeffers said that isn’t the plan.
“Stanbury won’t be changing in any sort of way,” Jeffers said. “It will remain small and intimate.”
When will the new restaurant open?
Maykuth will lead the new project, Jeffers said, adding that the unnamed restaurant will open in 2026.
Jeffers said that the Stanbury crew continues to miss its chocolate shop neighbors.
“We were sad to see Escazu move,” Jeffers said. “They have been close friends and neighbors since the beginning. We’ve relied on each other for the last 13 years and we are excited for their new chapter.”
This story was originally published August 5, 2025 at 9:28 AM with the headline "A favorite Raleigh restaurant will open a new concept in a familiar spot."
