6 new businesses, including 2 grocery stores, are opening in the Triangle

A grocery store and pet store are among two businesses that recently opened their doors in the Triangle.

But several more businesses, including a grocer, just announced plans to expand in Raleigh and Cary.

Here’s what to know about the new stores.

New grocery stores in Fuquay-Varina, Cary

• Fuquay-Varina’s first Target opened Sunday, March 15 at 3200 Gold Ring Road. The 148,000-square-foot store — Target’s 2,000th nationwide — includes a Starbucks Cafe, Disney Shop, CVS Pharmacy and 24 pickup lanes. Not only is the location larger than Target’s average store, but its grocery department covers 13,000 square feet, which is about 30% larger than the company average.
• Whole Foods Market is taking over the old Lowes Foods at Preston Corners in Cary at 930 High House Road. The grocer confirmed the plans to The News & Observer but did not provide an opening date for the store. Lowes Foods closed its Preston Corners store in May, choosing not to renew its lease.

Pet store reopens in Chapel Hill

• Petco celebrated the reopening of its Chapel Hill store Saturday, March 7. Located at 1800 E. Franklin St., the store was damaged from flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal. Several other Eastgate Crossing businesses have also reopened, though Starbucks, Talbots and Rise decided not to rebuild.

2 stores join Raleigh shopping center

• Color Me Mine, a paint-your-own-pottery studio, is expected to open this summer at Quail Corners in North Raleigh. Customers will pay a $10 studio fee plus the cost of pottery. Most items, which range from small figurines to large serving platters, cost $20-$80.
• Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. is also joining Quail Corners. Owners Claire and Ryan Young hope to open the store, which sells handmade body, home and bath products, in late April or early May. Most products in store, located at 1200 E. Millbrook Road, are made on site. Customers can also make their own products including candles, soap and bath bombs in store.

Restaurant, bar and retail store opening in Raleigh

• Biddy Thomas, a spot offering café-style food, cocktails, a retail store and games, is expected to open this spring at 2409 Crabtree Blvd. in Raleigh’s Gateway Plaza. The restaurant will serve sandwiches, salads, soups and homemade desserts, alongside craft cocktails, wine and beer. Guests will also be able to browse gifts including stationery, playing cards and desk calendars, and play games such as cards and mahjong.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full stories linked here were reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.

This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 10:02 AM.

Renee Umsted

The News & Observer

202-383-6008

Renee Umsted is The News & Observer’s Affordability Reporter. She writes about what it costs to live in the Triangle, with a consumer-focused approach. She has a degree in journalism from TCU.