A North Raleigh speciality grocery store is shutting its doors soon. The Art of Food, a recently expanded upscale food outlet, is closing its doors before the end of September. In an e-mail message to his clientele, proprietor Art Stone said that a combination of a slow summer and landlord difficulties led to the decision to close the store.

In January, The Art of Food had announced plans to expand into neighboring The Wine Shoppe, increasing its space to 2,000 square feet. The Art of Food is located in Harvest Oaks II on Lead Mine Road.

The store replaced the old Nina's Italian Deli last September.

The Spirit Halloween store set up shop in Tarrymoore Square, at the intersection of New Hope Church Road and Capital Boulevard.

The store opened at the end of August and will be hawking ghoulish masks, costumes and scary accessories until Nov. 1, when it will have a super markdown on fake mustaches, pope hats and other items that customers won't have much use for after Halloween.

Spirit was a temporary resident of the old Zany Brainy location at the Pleasant Valley Promenade last year.

Carolina Kitchen Studios Inc. has relocated to a new store at the Peachtree Market Plaza near the intersection of Six Forks and Sawmill roads.

Carolina Kitchens specializes in custom kitchen design and planning. To herald the new location, Carolina Kitchens is offering some introductory kitchen design courses.

The classes are Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. There are also classes Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.

For more information call 870-9202 or go to www.carolinakitchens.com.

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