Seller plans 2nd bookstore

In a time when some of the biggest bookselling chains are having trouble, Steven Elliot believes there is still a market for independent stores.

Elliot, owner of Falls River Books in North Raleigh's Falls River Town Center, is planning a second area bookstore in Durham later this year.

The Northgate Booksstorewill take over the now-vacant Walden Books spot at Northgate mall.

The store will be larger than the Falls River store, Elliot said, but the idea will remain the same: mostly used books sold for at least half off the cover price, with some books starting at $1. There will be some new books scattered in, and the store will also take trades.

Success in the used books business is really about relationships with people, Elliot said.

He has almost 20 years of experience in the business and also owns a shop in Miami.

"I've always done well, regardless of the economy," he said. "I'm an old-fashioned bookseller from the old school. ... I love that I can encourage people to love reading."

The store will open in late spring or early summer.

In Raleigh's Cameron Village, Cantina 18 is open next to Bailey's.

The Southwestern-theme restaurant is the latest effort from Jason Smith, chef and owner of the popular Raleigh restaurant 18 Seaboard.

Also, Light Years opened selling jewelry in the old Wardrobbe space, and Priscilla Boston will open its firstbridal salon in the Carolinas in the former Blockbuster spot this summer.

In Orange County, Glazed Expectations is moving from Chapel Hill to Carrboro after 11 years in business.

The store is a paint-it-yourself ceramics shop and also offers classes.

Owner Susannah Sloan said she wanted to move to a more visible location.

Her final day in Chapel Hill will be Saturday. She will reopen at 205 W. Main St. in Carrboro on April 13.

Other items: In Brier Creek Commons in Raleigh, Mason's opened in the old Uno Chicago Grill, serving steaks, seafood, sandwiches and gourmet pizzas. ... In Raleigh, The Furniture Spot opened at 5301 Capital Blvd. selling "affordable furniture but not in a warehouse atmosphere." ... In Durham, Bikram Yoga will open in July in the Golden Belt complex at 807 E. Main St. ... In Cary, Hibachi Grill & China Buffet will open this summer in the Shannon Oaks center near the intersection of Kildaire Farm Road and Southwest Cary Parkway. ... Also in Cary, The Food Factory is open for dinner on weeknights starting this week. It also opened a satellite location, The Food Factory at Wade, at 5430 Wade Park Blvd. in Raleigh near where Trinity Road meets Interstate 40. ... And downtown Raleigh entrepreneur Taiseer "Taz" Zarka has opened his latest venture at 17 E. Martin St. The shop will sell 1,000 varieties of wine, plus beer, tobacco products and gift items.