Now at Main Street and U.S. 70, Hudson's is slowly moving items to the new store in the former Family Home & Garden store at 77 Amelia Church Road.

The location spans four acres and 27,000 square feet.

Hudson's will expand its selection of Purina feed, animal-health and pet products and nursery items.

At the moment, Hudson's is operating in both spots. Some departments, including lawn and garden, power tools and automotive, have moved to the new store. Others, including paint and plumbing, are still in the old spot.

Until Hudson's is fully situated in its new location, customers are urged to call (919) 553-3030 to find out which store has the product or service they are seeking.

The fact that Hudson's has remained a strong competitor despite the arrival of Lowe's Home Improvement at I-40 and N.C. 42 means it must be doing something right.

In Raleigh's Triangle Town Center, a new GameFrog gaming center opened Friday on the first level near Macy's. GameFrog is like an arcade, with high-speed connections and large screens. The company is based in Durham and has stores in Cary Towne Center and Northgate mall in Durham.

In Chapel Hill, Whole Foods at 81 S. Elliott Road is expanding. Ten months of work will begin after the holidays and will expand the store nearly 40 percent. There will be a bigger section of specialty cheese, beer and wine, plus an in-store coffee roaster and a bigger bakery. The store will remain open during the construction.

Other items: Discount grocer Aldi set Feb. 28 as the tentative opening date for its Cary store at Northwest Maynard Road and Sudbury Drive. ... In Cary, pet-inspired gift shop Petpourri opened in Saltbox Village at 1265 Kildaire Farm Road, selling pet-themed gifts for people -- not gifts for your favorite pooch. ... In Durham's Northgate mall, Halloween Express is now Christmas Express. ... And, in Raleigh's Towne North shopping center at Strickland and Creedmoor roads, FedEx-Kinkos and Massage Envy will open in the spring.

From my blog this week:

* Finally, there is news on the old Greenshields space at 1077 Darrington Drive in Preston Walk in Cary. The spot will become a Japanese steakhouse and sushi place, Ginza Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, at the end of December or in early January.

* The IHOP near Beaver Creek Commons in Apex will open Monday near U.S. 64 and N.C. 55.

* Gourmet cookie store Christie Cookie opens its first location in this area today in the new Fresh Market center at 3639 SW Cary Parkway in Cary.

* The renovated Belk store in Crabtree Valley Mall opened this week in Raleigh.