A promising cafe has quickly closed in downtown Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow
Less than six months after opening, Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow district has lost its cafe.
The Raleigh J. Lights Market & Cafe announced this week that it had permanently closed in the new Publix-anchored downtown Raleigh development.
J. Lights opened in November in Raleigh as a kind of deli and bodega for Smoky Hollow, selling sandwiches and burgers, popular french fries, beer, cocktails and bottles of wine. It also regularly hosted local bands.
Owner and founder Jared Burton could not be reached for comment on the closing.
In the closing announcement, the J. Lights Instagram account thanked its fans and encouraged diners to eat local.
“I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this Journey,” the post said. “The J. Lights staff were outstanding. Please continue to support your favorite local spots.”
The Raleigh J. Lights was the brand’s second location, following the original in Durham’s Golden Belt apartment complex. There the cafe played a similar role, mostly catering to those living in apartments in the development, and serving food to those visiting Hi-Wire Brewing.
The Durham J. Lights also closed in January after being open more than two years.
Smoky Hollow, the latest major downtown Raleigh development from John Kane, is still coming together, but looks to be a promising addition to the city’s dining and nightlife scene. A Raleigh location of Charlotte’s Midwood Smokehouse just opened as well as a new shop from local boba empire MilkLab. A Raleigh Crunkleton cocktail bar, tapas restaurant Madre and a taproom from Wilmington’s acclaimed New Anthem Brewing are slated to open early this year.
This story was originally published March 14, 2023 at 11:47 AM.
