Business

11 changes in the Triangle’s entertainment and retail landscape this summer

Stories by News & Observer journalists, with AI summarization

The Triangle’s leisure and retail landscape in 2025 is shifting with notable new developments and closures. DICK's House of Sport will finally fill the old Sears space at Crabtree Valley Mall, bringing interactive sports experiences and retail to Raleigh. Over in Cary, Waverly Place has been rezoned to allow 750 new apartments and more shopping, replacing parking lots and a movie theater with mixed-use growth.

While some new restaurants like Cape Fear Seafood Co. are expanding with their Calabash-style plates, beloved local spots like Durham’s Littler and Raleigh’s Carolina Furniture Direct are closing after years of serving their communities. The region also sees ongoing debates, such as controversies around pet boutiques, showing that the area’s retail and leisure landscape is continually evolving.

The owners of Square Burger in Raleigh’s Moore Square are not renewing their lease in the downtown park. By Juli Leonard

NO. 1: NEW RESTAURANT EXPANDS INTO DOWNTOWN RALEIGH’S MOORE SQUARE

It’s the second location for this Hillsborough Street shop. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anna Roman

The new Raleigh restaurant Mala Pata is a collaborative effort from some of the biggest names in the Triangle’s food and beverage industry. By Matt Ramey

NO. 2: LONG-AWAITED RESTAURANT FROM STARS OF THE TRIANGLE’S DINING SCENE OPENS SOON

This place has been in the works for years. Finally, we know when it will open. | Published May 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

A Change.org petition gathered more than 700 signatures early Tuesday organizing opposition to the pet store Waggles in Raleigh. The signs on the storefront had been removed by Tuesday morning.

NO. 3: ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS TARGET WAGGLES, A PUPPY BOUTIQUE PLANNED FOR NORTH RALEIGH

The store on Creedmoor Road has sparked a petition at change.org that had drawn more than 700 signatures Tuesday morning. | Published May 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Josh Shaffer

An aerial view of downtown Raleigh’s skyline on Wednesday, August. 28, 2024. By TRAVIS LONG

NO. 4: WELL-KNOWN LGBTQ BAR IN DOWNTOWN RALEIGH CLOSES AFTER 10 YEARS

“Thank you so very much for letting us serve and entertain you for the last 10 years,” the bar wrote in an Instagram post. | Published May 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Crabtree mall in Raleigh has more than 1.3 million square feet of retail space. By Addy Holmes

NO. 5: RALEIGH’S CRABTREE VALLEY MALL FINALLY LANDS A TENANT FOR LONG-VACANT SEARS SPACE

Here’s what will be taking over the space that’s been empty for years. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

Cape Fear Seafood Company’s fresh catch is selected daily for quality - it is served here with mango salsa and two sides. By Juli Leonard

NO. 6: POPULAR NC SEAFOOD RESTAURANT EXPANDS TO A 4TH LOCATION IN THE TRIANGLE

Serving fried platters and the Southern classic shrimp and grits, the restaurant will soon open in a new Triangle town. | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Chef Elizabeth Murray plates the roasted cauliflower with sweet potato, caper, date, pine nut and grape at Littler in Durham on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. By Juli Leonard

NO. 7: A ‘PITCH PERFECT’ TRIANGLE RESTAURANT WILL CLOSE SOON. HERE’S WHEN TO GO

Known for a rotating, chef-driven menu, the 36-seat dinner spot is saying goodbye. | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Avocado Toast, fruit and, cookie from, A Place at the Table Cafe, a pay-what-you-can restaurant at 300 W. Hargett Street in Raleigh on Wednesday, May 13, 2025. By Robert Willett

NO. 8: I WENT TO THE RALEIGH CAFE THAT TIKTOKER KEITH LEE VISITED. HERE’S WHAT I GOT FOR UNDER $25

It’s a place known for its menu and mission. | Published May 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chyna Blackmon

The Walgreens at 1880 Watson Blvd. in Warner Robins is closing its doors permanently next month. By Becky Purser

NO. 9: WALGREENS CLOSES 2 MORE TRIANGLE LOCATIONS SOON. HERE’S EACH STORE’S LAST DAY

The retailer shut down two other stores in Raleigh and Durham earlier this year. Now, we know when two more will close. | Published May 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Waverly Place has updated facades a central gathering promenade with waterfalls, fire pits and a playground. By Virginia Bridges

NO. 10: CARY’S WAVERLY PLACE REZONED FOR TALLER AND DENSER DEVELOPMENT AS CROWD BOOS

The vote occurred after town leaders were jeered by upset residents, who forced a pause in the meeting. | Published May 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anna Roman

Carolina Furniture Direct on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh has announced that it is going out of business after 41 years.

NO. 11: A FAMILY-OWNED FURNITURE STORE IN RALEIGH IS CLOSING AFTER 41 YEARS

The store, which was founded in 1984, will hold a going-out-of-business sale. Here’s when you can shop it. | Published May 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.