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Good afternoon, Raleigh. What do you get when you cross a hamburger with a computer? 

A Big Mac. 🍔

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 6 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend + live local music

• New billiards bar coming to Brier Creek

• Planet Fitness is opening a new location on Glenwood

• Lenovo Center upgrades + roadwork

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

STORIES THIS WEEK

New billiards bar coming to Brier Creek 🎱

The Oak Room, a new billiards and cocktail bar, is set to open in the next few weeks in the Shoppes at Brier Creek, located behind Brier Creek Commons. Owners Brian and Mindy McIntire, who also run High House Billiards in Cary, spent nearly a year transforming a former doctor’s office into an upscale venue featuring eight full-size pool tables and a striking 47-foot handmade bar.

The bar will offer Mindy’s signature cocktails, and the space is designed with league play and younger players in mind. The Oak Room will employ 6–7 staff members and charge $4 per person per hour to play. Located off Highway 70, the McIntires chose Brier Creek for its proximity to Durham and its dense mix of businesses and residences.

Planet Fitness to open new location on Glenwood Ave 🏋️‍♀️

Planet Fitness is opening a new gym in Raleigh at 6560 Glenwood Ave., taking over a former Big Lots space in the Townridge Shopping Center near Walmart. This will be the company’s 15th location in the Triangle and is expected to open by the end of the year.

The shopping center is owned by the Marvin W Nelson Trust and managed by Zeisler Morgan Properties, which recently purchased adjacent land for $5.25 million, opening the door for potential redevelopment. The move is part of a broader trend, as multiple retailers like Burlington and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet acquire vacated Big Lots spaces following the chain’s bankruptcy. Despite this shift, some Big Lots locations remain open under new management by Variety Wholesalers.

Carolina Hurricanes are on to the second round of the NHL playoffs 🏒

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New Jersey Devils 4 games to 1 in their first-round matchup of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, clinching the series with a 5-4 double-overtime victory in Game 5 on Tuesday. Sebastian Aho scored twice, including the game-winning power play goal, as Carolina rallied from a 3-0 deficit with a four-goal second period and relentless pressure through overtime.

The win marks the Hurricanes’ seventh straight postseason with at least one series victory, a feat matched by only three other teams in NHL history. The Hurricanes will next face the Washington Capitals in the second round. The second round playoff schedule has not yet been released.

Roadwork ramps up ahead of $1B Lenovo Center changes in Raleigh 🚧

As the $1 billion Lenovo Center development moves forward in west Raleigh, city and state officials are preparing for increased traffic around the future sports and entertainment district. The Raleigh City Council recently approved a rezoning request for 80 acres surrounding the arena, paving the way for new hotels, restaurants, apartments, office space, and parking decks.

Major roadwork led by NCDOT — including a Blue Ridge Road underpass and upgrades to I-440 — is nearing completion, with more improvements planned along Wade Avenue. Officials are also prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle access, with ongoing coordination between developers and city planners. The Carolina Hurricanes’ ownership group plans to begin phase one of the project by the end of 2025.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC THIS WEEKEND

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Friday, May 2

• Coin Cutter & The Rattlesnaps @ Better Days Music Series, Hartwell
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Dix
  Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Out of the Shadows First Grateful Friday @ Incendiary Brewing Co.
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ Warehouse District
  Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

• Ricardo Music Trio @ Lonerider Tapilia
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Midtown
  Time: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

• ZOSO (Led Zeppelin) Opus @ Lincoln Theatre
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ City Market
  Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Soul Sauce @ Scooter's Bar & Grill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Atlantic / Millbrook
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Gatsby's Unplugged - Open Mic @ Gatsby's Bar Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Millbrook
  Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

• Wade Hill & the Revival @ Last Rail Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Iron Works District
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Mike Loose Duo @ O'Malley's Pub & Restaurant
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Quimby
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• ZSbury (Bunbury & Zoo) @ House of Bones
  Neighborhood: Raleigh SW @ Maywood/LeWinr
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• 45s @ The Hive Cafe
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Brier Creek NE
  Time: 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Saturday, May 3

• Raleigh N @ Iron Works District
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Iron Works District
  Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

• Spring Fest W Bluegrass Band @ Tin Roof Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Iron Works District
  Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• 80s Retro 2: "Capitol Edition" @ Capitola
  Neighborhood: Raleigh DT @ USDOT
  Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Skull Davis Debut @ Mordecai Suite @ Stanhope
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ NCSU
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Kevin Lee @ The Nectaring Mouse Tavern
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Lynn Chestnutmoor
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Asher Sheppard @ Stonewall Wine
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Spring Forest / Falls
  Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Jane's Tonic @ Scooter's Bar & Grill
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Atlantic / Millbrook
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Kyle Music Band @ The Yard Raleigh
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Iron Works District
  Time: 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

• Rose Galaxy @ Hero's Pub & Sandwich Shop
  Neighborhood: Raleigh N @ Six Forks / Sawmill
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Morgan Alessandra @ O'Malley's Pub & Restaurant
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Quimby
  Time: 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM

• Rose Galaxy @ Wild Wing Cafe
  Neighborhood: Raleigh NW @ Brier Creek NE
  Time: 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

Fayetteville Street seen from atop the State Capitol in December of 1968.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

88 🌡️ 64 | ⛈️ | 40%

Saturday

83 🌡️ 54 | ⛈️ | 30%

Sunday

73 🌡️ 50 | ⛈️ | 90%

LOCAL SPORTS

Hockey 🏒

The Carolina Hurricanes will face the Washington Capitals in their second round series. Games and dates are still TBD.

Baseball ⚾️

• Friday: Durham Bulls VS Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 6:35 PM

• Saturday: Durham Bulls VS Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 6:35 PM

• Sunday: Durham Bulls VS Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | 1:05 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who likes to play pool. 🎱

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