Toyland comes to Durham

In these days of mega-retailers, it's unusual to see an independent toy chain expanding. But Toyland just opened a new store at The Streets at Southpoint mall in Durham, on the lower level nearMacy's.

The Syracuse, N.Y., chain now has seven stores. This is its first in North Carolina, with others in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

The company also operates seasonal stores around the holidays.

Owner Joe Dougherty said he's always liked the Triangle, an area he knows because he has a good friend in Cary.

The store is not big. But it's designed for kids who like to learn. There are play areas, and kids and parents are encouraged to try out toys.

Despite the economy, Dough erty said he thinks there is a market for specialty toys.

"We have trucks that are made in Germany and dolls that are from France, where they integrate a perfume smell right into the plastic," he said. "Most of our toys are from the specialty toy market, but people do buy them."

Dougherty said he has no plans for more locations along the East Coast, but he said he would consider opening additional stores in this area.

In Raleigh's Brennan Station at Creedmoor and Strickland roads, a popular frozen yogurt chain from Alabama is opening its first restaurant outside its home state.

Yogurt Mountain is unique in that customers help themselves to frozen yogurt and toppings. You can mix and match and take as much or as little of anything you want. Then you pay by the ounce.

It sounds as if this will be the first of a few Yogurt Mountain locations in the Triangle. It is set to open late this summer.

And next door in the Towne North center, there are a few new tenants on the way. Salon and boutique Shag & Garnish will open in late summer or early fall. ... Michigan chain Jet's Pizza will open its first Triangle store in late summer or early fall. ... Durham restaurant Chai's Noodle Bar & Bistro will open a second restaurant, called Chai's Asian Bistro, this fall or winter.

Other items: Favorite breakfast spot Brig's has opened a second Cary location at 1040 Tryon Village Drive. ... Also in Cary, a consignment shop exclusively for men's clothing is open at 124-C S.W. Maynard Road. The Men's Consignment is closed Sundays. ... Quizno's is reopening its Raleigh store at 7451 Six Forks Road on Monday. ... Also in North Raleigh, bead and craft store Panopolie closed at 6320 Capital Blvd. and joined operations with its downtown sister store, Ornamentea, at 509 N. West St. ... In Raleigh's Cameron Village, Cafe Caturra opens Monday next to Talbot's. ... Down the street, the Rita's Water Ice in Oberlin Court has closed. A company spokeswoman said it is possible someone could buy and reopen the store. ... And also in Raleigh, longtime design store Today's Interiors will move May 21 from the Falls Village shopping center to 8831 Westgate Park Drive. In the new location, the business will be more of a design firm and less of a retail store.