Downtown Apex construction cited in at least one business closure. What we know
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- Apex is re-designing its main downtown thoroughfare of Salem Street.
- Construction has bottlenecked traffic and contributed to at least one business closure.
- Alleyway Bookstore will leave the street, citing rising costs and changes to foot traffic.
As the town of Apex re-designs its main downtown thoroughfare, the construction project is bottlenecking traffic and has contributed to at least one business closure.
The suburb southwest of Raleigh has been working to revamp Salem Street since the beginning of the year. As of May 28, work was being done to install light poles and soil cells, which will allow trees to grow.
The nearly $4.4 million project was originally slated to be finished in October 2026. Last month, the town shared on Facebook that the timeline would likely take longer than expected due to “revised electrical plans,” which have since been approved.
Now, the construction is expected to wrap up between early November and early January, according to an email the town shared with The News & Observer on Friday, June 12.
For months, parts of Salem Street have been reduced to one-way or local car traffic. Sidewalks are open on both sides of the street throughout the project, according to the town’s website and Facebook page.
“Recognizing the potential impact of construction, one of the key messages of our communications around the Salem Streetscape is that downtown is fully open for business throughout construction. Prior to construction, we worked with downtown stakeholders to get feedback about the types of communications would help them reach their customers,” Stacie Galloway, communications director for the town, told The N&O via email, adding that the town has “used all communications tactics at our disposal to encourage our residents to ‘love local.’”
A large banner above the downtown strip also reminds visitors that stores and restaurants are still welcoming customers.
“Behind every storefront is someone who took a risk, invested in our community, and believed in downtown Apex,” Mayor Jacques Gilbert wrote Tuesday, June 9 in a Facebook post. “Many are facing significant economic challenges right now.”
Downtown Apex businesses closure
The used bookstore Alleyway Bookstore announced its closure June 6, citing rising costs and changes to foot traffic during the construction project outside its building, The News & Observer previously reported.
As Gilbert addressed the Alleyway closure, he said fellow downtown business Bella + Mauve Boutique shared it could have to make difficult decisions. Now, he’s encouraging people to spend money at shops in the area.
“For those who have the ability to spend locally, even small acts of support can make a meaningful difference,” the mayor said in a video posted to Facebook.
This story has been updated with comments from the town.
Portions of this story were previously published in The News & Observer.
This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Downtown Apex construction cited in at least one business closure. What we know."
