Triangle entertainment, dining & retail scene: 10 key updates

The Triangle’s entertainment and retail landscape continues to experience dynamic shifts with closures, relocations, and new openings reflecting broader cultural and economic trends.

Iconic venues like Legends Nightclub are moving to preserve their legacy amidst changing real estate developments, while newer concepts, such as Smash, a ping pong bar replacing a Carolina Ale House, indicate the growing appeal of experiential entertainment.

Meanwhile, arcade bars like Super Rad Retro Lounge and Pins Mechanical Co. highlight the resurgence of nostalgic and interactive pastimes in downtown Raleigh.

Across the region, mixed-use developments like North Hills and University Place showcase a shift toward integrating local businesses with national brands, creating active live-work-play environments while introducing incubator spaces for entrepreneurs.

These transitions demonstrate how the Triangle area balances heritage with innovation to adapt to evolving consumer demands.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Discount retailer Big Lots announced it would close up to 40 stores in 2024. By Renee Umsted

NO. 1: NC-BASED COMPANY TO ACQUIRE 200+ BIG LOTS STORES. WILL ANY IN THE TRIANGLE BE SAVED?

Discount retailer Big Lots previously announced it would close all of its remaining locations, but the acquisition means some won’t be gone for good. | Published January 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

The PiggyBack bar opened in 2018 at Cedar Falls Courtyard on Weaver Dairy Road in Chapel Hill. The bar attracts a local crowd and is now for sale, owner and chef Sam Suchoff said on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. By Jeff Bramwell/PiggyBack

NO. 2: CHAPEL HILL, CARRBORO BUSINESSES IN TRANSITION, AND A CHANCE TO OWN A NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

Chef Sam Suchoff is looking for someone to take over The PiggyBack bar, while he focuses on barbecue and deli meats. | Published February 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tammy Grubb

Legends sits at the corner of Hargett Street and Harrington Street in downtown Raleigh, next to the MAA Hue apartments. By Renee Umsted

NO. 3: POPULAR LGBTQ+ CLUB LEGENDS FINDS NEW HOME IN DOWNTOWN RALEIGH. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOVE

The club, which has been open for more than 30 years, will not be far from its current spot. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Super Rad Retro Lounge, a new arcade bar in downtown Raleigh, will have pinball machines, classic arcade games and air hockey. By Steve Olson

NO. 4: A NEW ARCADE BAR WITH CLASSIC GAMES & PINBALL IS OPENING SOON IN RALEIGH

Here’s how a longtime strength coach and local gym owner came to open an arcade bar. | Published January 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

The Regal North Hills theater in Raleigh, North Carolina, is one of hundreds across the United States offering $1 tickets to select movies this summer. By Renee Umsted

NO. 5: RALEIGH’S NORTH HILLS IS GROWING. THESE SHOPS & RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN (+ COMING SOON)

The shopping center has recently announced a slew of new businesses joining the development. Keep track. | Published March 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and is closing restaurants. By JILL TOYOSHIBA

NO. 6: A NATIONAL TEX-MEX CHAIN IS CLOSING RESTAURANTS. WILL ANY IN THE TRIANGLE SHUT DOWN?

The company, which has about 60 restaurants across the United States, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Brianna Cherner, owner of The Soap and Shine, pipes green soap onto four dozen bars decorated with rainbows for a child’s birthday party. Cherner made the move from corporate life to her own retail store in November 2024 at University Place in Chapel Hill. By Tammy Grubb

NO. 7: CHAPEL HILL’S MALL IS GONE, BUT LOCAL SHOPS ARE FINDING A PLACE BESIDE NATIONAL BRANDS

Over two years of construction to remove one end of the mall and add more buildings around a public lawn just wrapped up. | Published March 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tammy Grubb

Artwork, whimsical candles and live plants are for sale in one corner of The Burrow. By Renee Umsted

NO. 8: DOWNTOWN RALEIGH THRIFT STORE OWNER OPENS NEW VENDOR MARKET. WHAT ELSE IS COMING

Inside the store, shoppers can find items such as clothing, antiques, art and jewelry. But more businesses are opening downtown. Here’s what to expect. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Construction on the Seaboard Station development will continue in 2023 with the first phase expected to be completed and significant work underway on the second phase.

NO. 9: ANOTHER TENANT IS CLOSING AT SEABOARD STATION IN RALEIGH. HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

The business joins a list of companies, including Logan’s Garden Shop, which have previously closed or move from the downtown Raleigh development. | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

Carolina Ale House at Glenwood South features bars inside and out, TVs over the bars and a wide range of beers and mixed drinks. By Virginia Bridges

NO. 10: A FLAGSHIP GLENWOOD SOUTH RESTAURANT WILL CLOSE TO MAKE WAY FOR A PING PONG BAR

Raleigh is getting a ping pong bar, but losing a sports pub favorite. Here are the details. | Published April 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.