Good afternoon, Raleigh. Why couldn't the toilet paper cross the road? 

Because it got stuck in a crack. 🧻

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

Big Cat, a new neighborhood tavern from five of Raleigh’s most well-known restaurant owners, is set to open this spring in East Mordecai at 1000 Brookside Drive. The team behind Ajja, Mala Pata, Locals Seafood, Person Street Bar, and Natural Science is transforming the 3,500-square-foot space into a modern tavern with indoor dining, a full bar, and an 80-seat outdoor patio.

Chef Cheetie Kumar will lead the kitchen, focusing on globally inspired small plates, hearty entrees, sandwiches, and fresh seafood, including oysters and smoked proteins. Guests will also be able to grab items to go from a small market featuring mezze, cheese, charcuterie, and wine. Backed in part by neighborhood investors, Big Cat aims to become a true gathering place built for and by the surrounding community.

Barnes & Noble is bringing a nearly 20,000 square foot bookstore to Knightdale Marketplace, filling the former OfficeMax space at 1012 Shoppes at Midway Drive. The national bookseller has signed a 10 year lease and will become the Triangle’s eighth Barnes & Noble location, joining stores in Raleigh, Durham, and Cary.

The store will include the brand’s signature cafe serving Starbucks coffee and beverages. Leaders at Knightdale Marketplace say strong sales growth in eastern Wake County and limited competition from other large booksellers made Barnes & Noble an ideal fit. An official opening date has not yet been announced, but the retailer’s arrival signals continued growth and confidence in the Knightdale area.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is kicking off a major expansion of Terminal 2, with construction ramping up in early 2026. Crews have already installed a temporary wall in the ticketing area as the airport prepares to extend the terminal 400 feet to the north. The project will add more ticketing space, an additional baggage claim carousel, and expanded security capacity, including a new checkpoint that will nearly double the current 13 lane setup.

Airport officials say the expansion is necessary to keep up with growing passenger demand and to support future gate additions once the new runway is complete. The terminal project is part of RDU’s broader $2.5 billion capital plan, which also includes the ongoing construction of a new international runway and sets the stage for future growth.

Macy’s is closing its Triangle Town Center location in northeast Raleigh, while its other Triangle stores at Crabtree Valley Mall and The Streets at Southpoint will remain open. The retailer owns the Triangle Town Center space, a more than 180,000 square foot property assessed at $11.6 million, and clearance sales are expected to begin in mid-January and last about 10 weeks.

No other Macy’s locations in North Carolina are included in this round of closures, which are expected to wrap up by the end of the first quarter. The closure comes as Triangle Town Center continues to struggle despite surrounding residential growth and a recent sale to Summit Properties USA. Even as it trims retail locations, Macy’s is still investing in North Carolina, including a massive new fulfillment center near Charlotte.

Construction is underway at Crabtree Valley Mall as the former Sears space is transformed into a Dick’s House of Sport. The nearly $16 million project will completely renovate the interior of the building at the corner of Glenwood and Creedmoor Road.

Dick’s House of Sport is a newer, experience-focused concept that includes features like rock climbing walls and batting cages. While an official opening date has not been announced, signs at the mall say the store is expected to open this fall. The project is part of broader upgrades planned by Macerich, which purchased Crabtree Valley Mall last year for $290 million.

Fayetteville Street, December 1968.

Friday

45 🌡️ 35 | 🌤️ | 0%

Saturday

56 🌡️ 31 | 🌦️ | 30%

Sunday

41 🌡️ 20 | 🌨️ | 40%

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