An artsy Raleigh shop is closing after 16 years (sort of). What will take its place?
Jim Heinrich and his sister used to talk about going into business together, though they didn’t have the details worked out.
Both “artistically inclined,” they had an eye for identifying desirable items. A building on Six Forks Road within a couple of miles north of 540 became available. They decided to lease the space, and in 2008, When Pigz Fly was born.
The store at 11125 Six Forks Road has been drawing in customers for 16 years, but the nearly 100-year-old building is changing soon.
The property owner hoped to sell the 1.26-acre lot, but he and Heinrich couldn’t come together on a price, Heinrich told The News & Observer in a phone interview. So the property was sold to Katie Friedman, who plans to open a coffee shop there.
It doesn’t mean that When Pigz Fly is going away, though.
Open a store? When pigs fly.
The name “When Pigz Fly” doesn’t necessarily describe what one should expect to find in store.
Regardless, he and his sister often exchanged the phrase in conversation. And the point of the store — to give artists a chance to sell their items while taking on no financial risk — could be described as providing them an opportunity to “soar,” Heinrich said.
(When Pigs Fly, with an “s,” was taken, Heinrich said.)
He would see beautiful items at auctions, estate sales and craft shows, but noticed that sometimes, he was among few visitors. The Raleigh store would give makers an audience.
Heinrich stocked When Pigz Fly with metal decorative objects and purses from Mexico, and goods from Peru and Guatemala. Metal artists from across the United States sold their pieces there, too.
“Every time I think I’ve seen it all, I see something else come through the door,” he said.
When Pigz Fly created a kind of community, with the artists whose work lined the shelves or stood outside, and with the customers who visited the store during its 16-year run.
While they’ll no longer be able to shop in-person after Thursday, Oct. 31, they will still be able to find handmade items. When Pigz Fly will begin selling products online, and Heinrich said he hopes the website is live by Thanksgiving.
The store will share the URL on social media when it is ready.
Coming soon: Bartons Creek Coffee
For decades, Katie Friedman and her husband have talked about opening a coffee shop when they retire.
But the opportunity to start their own business came sooner.
They live near When Pigz Fly and drive past it often, and they’ve always thought it would make a great coffee shop.
“If you’ve ever driven down Six Forks Road north of 540, you have seen When Pigz Fly,” Friedman said. “You can’t miss it. It’s got all the metal art outside. It’s sort of a local landmark.”
They learned the building was coming on the market, and a few months later, they owned it.
“It’s just a beautiful property in a lovely setting, and we just think it would make a very charming coffee shop,” she said.
Bartons Creek Coffee, named for the Wake County township that encompasses the site, will pay homage to When Pigz Fly with a small retail area, carrying products made by some of When Pigz Fly’s vendors along with new artists.
“Bringing in that artsy coffee house vibe is sort of what we’re going for,” Friedman said.
She envisions the coffee shop being a place where people can work, hang out and bring their kids. While indoor seating will be limited, there will be covered outdoor seating.
But they also want to cater to more hurried customers who want to grab and go.
The coffee shop will serve Durham-based Counter Culture Coffee, using the beans to make espresso drinks. Tea and hot chocolate will also be available, and while there’s no kitchen, the store will bring in food items such as pastries, Friedman said.
They haven’t started renovations yet, but they’re targeting an early spring 2025 opening.
This story was originally published November 1, 2024 at 1:58 PM with the headline "An artsy Raleigh shop is closing after 16 years (sort of). What will take its place?."
