Last year, Americans spent $41 billion on their animals, and I would bet that figure will increase this year, despite the current state of many household budgets.

At the Lake Boone Shopping Center in Raleigh, Amy Haithcock is hoping that's the case.

Next month, she will open Unleashed, selling everything from natural dog treats to toys and collars.

Some of you may already be familiar with Haithcock and Unleashed. The company has been operating for more than a year at the N.C. State Fairgrounds but is now making the leap to full retail store.

And visitors to Unleashed might think there's something else familiar about the store. Haithcock's decor includes fixtures from several recently shuttered businesses, including Crabtree Valley Mall's Luggage & Leather.

The street address for the store is 2460 Wycliff Road in Raleigh.

Here's one for the budget-conscious ladies out there. A new women's fashion boutique called Gigi's is open, selling all items for under $100. Located in Stonehenge Market at 7428 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh, the store is closed on Sundays.

FedEx Kinko's opened in Brier Creek at 7980 Arco Corporate Parkway on Thursday and will open a second store Wednesday at 8373 Creedmoor Road, also in Raleigh.

I can now report a little more on the two Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurants coming to the Triangle.

The opening of the North Hills location in Raleigh has been pushed back to July 21. The Durham restaurant across from The Streets at Southpoint in the bottom of the new Hilton Garden Inn has no specific opening date yet but will open this fall.

In North Raleigh, From New York with Love Delicatessen will open a second location in the Falls River Town Center off Durant Road in June.

And down the street, SuzAnna's has completed a big addition to its antique shop. The store, which began with items found by the owners and a few consignors, has now branched out and is home to nine different dealers. The store is at 9300 Durant Road. It will hold an open house this weekend.

Other items: In Durham, a wine store called Hope Valley Bottle Shop will open late this summer in the Woodcroft Shopping Center at 4711 Hope Valley Road. ... In Cary, J&F Gemelli salon has opened its third location in Cary Park Town Center, at 1120 Greenlevel to Durham Road. ... Best Buy Mobile opened on Friday at Triangle Town Center in Raleigh. ... In Clayton's Grand Plaza, a Subway and Salon 1220 will open in August at 12872 U.S. 70. The Salon 1220 opening will actually be a relocation of Two Friends Hair Studio and Boutique, which is on Old U.S. 70 now. ... And finally, after a couple of delays, The Ocean Grill has opened in Cary at 4300 N.W. Cary Parkway.