Rumors are swirling about a 42nd Street Oyster Bar revival. Here are the facts
An iconic Raleigh restaurant, once thought lost to the deep, looks to return next year under new ownership.
There is a plan for 42nd Street Oyster Bar to reopen sometime in 2026, longtime GM and new partner Hunter Correll said in a phone call with The News & Observer.
“We’re working really hard on a new project in hopes of reopening 42nd Street Oyster Bar,” Correll said.
42nd Street closed at the end of March, ending a four decade run as one of Raleigh’s signature restaurants and gathering places.
Though its history stretches back nearly a century, 42nd Street as most know it was created by the late Thad Eure and owned and operated by Brad Hurley and John Vick for many years. Those owners announced in the spring that they would retire and close the beloved restaurant.
That appeared to be that until August when Correll posted a cryptic message on the 42nd Street Facebook page showing a black and white photo of the restaurant’s entrance, overlaid with Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing.”
“I was just trying to keep the brand alive, selling merch on the social media pages,” Correll said. “Then I did a little post from inside the restaurant and it went a little crazy.”
Part of that craziness stemmed from the creation of a new LLC by building owner John Holmes called 42nd Street Partners LLC.
In a phone interview, Holmes insists he is not involved in an effort to reopen 42nd Street, except as a landlord and fan.
“I’m not personally involved in anything,” Holmes said. “Hobby Family owns the building and we’d love to see 42nd Street return....I ate there with my grandfather and father, we had great family times there, as did half of Raleigh.”
The potential 42nd Street revival will be operated by Correll and longtime 42nd Street chef Joe Rohrer. At this point Correll declined to set a timeline for the reopening apart from 2026. He said he knows the city is eagerly anticipating its return.
“We’re very fortunate to have so much support; it’s a big family,” Correll said. “We’re hoping to get the family back together.”
This story was originally published November 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM.
