Triangle retail round-up: New LEGO store coming, La Farm pop-up opens
There have been several developments in Triangle retail news recently.
Established businesses have expanded and added features, while new retailers have yet to debut.
Here are a few highlights.
LEGO store coming to Cary
A national retailer specializing in new and used LEGO products is opening a location in Cary.
Triangle resident Paul Eagle is the owner of the newest Bricks & Minifigs franchise, which buys, sells and trades LEGO items. Eagle, who builds and collects LEGO products, said he was looking to open a business and knew he wanted it to be a Bricks & Minifigs store after visiting a location in Virginia.
Unlike other retailers that sell LEGO pieces, shoppers at Bricks & Minifigs will be able to find pre-owned and retired sets, loose pieces and minifigures. The 2,400-square-foot franchise is also an authorized LEGO dealer and sells new, in-box products.
Eagle said he hopes LEGO enthusiasts will come to Bricks & Minifigs and meet other people who share a passion for the brand.
“We’re going to be the place for LEGO addicts, basically,” Eagle told The News & Observer.
The store will also host events including birthday parties. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 1 at 3434 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 131. There will be door prizes, raffles, snacks and other family-friendly activities.
Bricks & Minifigs was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 2009. A Bricks & Minifigs franchise is open on Litchford Road in Raleigh, and another franchise has yet to open on Guess Road in Durham.
Automotive services provider expands
Chapel Hill Tire broke ground on its 12th location, a spot at 5588 Highgate Road in Durham.
The company, which was founded in 1953, offers inspections, oil and air filter changes, tire repairs and service on air conditioning and brakes.
Its 11 locations are spread across Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Apex, Cary and Durham.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to grow and serve even more customers in Durham,” Marc Pons, the president of Chapel Hill Tire, said in a news release.
The Highgate Road location, which the company hopes to open early 2025, will be the third Durham store for the Triangle business.
La Farm opens downtown Raleigh pop-up
The 25-year-old bakery chain held a “bread breaking” May 22 at its newest location, a pop-up at 122 Glenwood Ave. in downtown Raleigh.
Dozens of people showed up to hear from the bakery owners, Lionel and Missy Vatinet, along with company COO Omar Gaye, Downtown Raleigh Alliance President and CEO Bill King, and Raleigh City Council member Jane Harrison, whose district includes the new pop-up.
“We sell energy. We just do that through bread,” Missy Vatinet said at the grand opening.
While the pop-up is only open through the end of 2024, the bakery hopes to extend the lease.
Earlier in May, La Farm announced plans to open its first permanent location in Raleigh, The News & Observer previously reported. An opening date has not been shared, but the 3,200-square-foot bakery and cafe will be at Creekside Crossing Shopping Center, near Wake Forest and Six Forks roads.
Raleigh company nominated for best independent chocolate shop
For the second year in a row, Videri Chocolate Factory has been nominated for best independent chocolate shop in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Videri came in ninth place in last year’s competition, the company said in a press release.
The downtown Raleigh store, located at 327 W. Davie St., is one of two North Carolina businesses to make the list — the other being Asheville’s French Broad Chocolate.
A panel of experts nominated the businesses, and 10Best editors narrowed down the list to 20.
The public can vote online for their favorite chocolate shop once per day until voting closes June 10 at noon. Winners will be announced June 19.
Last year, Videri won two Good Food Awards for its 75% Guatemala Single Origin Dark Chocolate Bar and its Blackberry Basil Caramel, The N&O previously reported. The Good Food Awards celebrate the best craft and gourmet products from small makers across the country.
Triangle Walmart debuts new features
The Walmart Supercenter at 12500 US 15 501 North in Chapel Hill is hosting an event May 24 to celebrate the completion of a monthslong renovation project.
While the store remained open throughout the remodel, shoppers will now be able to experience new features and upgrades:
Expanded online, pickup and delivery services
New digital menu boards, updated registers and expanded self-checkout
New platform displays and light fixtures
Interior and exterior paint
Updated restrooms
New and additional merchandise across departments
New signs throughout the store
The Chapel Hill store is the second in the Triangle to undergo these renovations this year, a spokesperson for Walmart told The N&O. The Walmart Supercenter at 10050 Glenwood Ave. in Raleigh unveiled upgrades – including a Raleigh-inspired mural – in January. No other stores in the area are slated for remodels in 2024.
Triangle-based producer of baby shoes under new ownership
Cabooties, a company founded in the Triangle that makes and sells washable baby shoes, has a new owner.
Kelly Barth started the business in Garner in 2014, and she recently sold it to a friend, Alexandra Puppelo. Puppelo also owns a company called Mama & Roo’s, which sells baby carriers and wraps.
Both businesses are digital retailers without brick-and-mortar locations. However, Puppelo said in the future, the company hopes to find local shops who will keep Cabooties shoes in stock.
Cabooties is also looking for additional people to help sew the shoes.
