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Good afternoon, Raleigh. Why wasn't the woman happy with the velcro she bought?

It was a total ripoff.

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

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

• Whitewater center coming to Raleigh

• Construction beginning on our first Whataburger

• Retail centers coming to New Bern Ave

• And more!

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

STORIES THIS WEEK

Whitewater Park Proposal at Lake Crabtree Moves Forward 🚣🏼‍♂️

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pacific Elm Properties, majority-backed by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, to explore developing a whitewater center near Lake Crabtree. The project, dubbed "Whitewater Raleigh," could be in partnership with the U.S. National Whitewater Center and part of a $350 million expansion effort.

The MOU gives Pacific Elm exclusive rights through July 2026 to conduct feasibility studies before formal negotiations begin. While no financial terms are finalized, the project could include outdoor recreation, food and beverage venues, lodging, and event space. Public input workshops are scheduled for August 19, September 23, and October 31.

Wake County’s first Whataburger is beginning construction 🍔

Grove 98, the Wegmans-anchored mixed-use development in Wake Forest, has officially reached 100% retail occupancy with the addition of Chopt Creative Salad Co., Summer Moon Coffee, and Sweathouz. Whataburger is set to begin construction on its first Triangle-area restaurant at the site, part of its broader North Carolina expansion.

Other businesses already open or coming soon include Outback Steakhouse, O2 Fitness, and several fast-casual eateries. Developer Stiles says strong demand for quality retail drove the leasing success, which complements the development’s apartments and nearby townhomes. With 80,000 square feet of retail and a 100,000-square-foot Wegmans, Grove 98 has become a major lifestyle destination in northern Wake County.

New Bern Avenue Retail Expansion Ahead of Bus Rapid Transit 🚍

Atlas Stark is expanding retail along New Bern Avenue with a new 6,900-square-foot building called The Row at 440 East, part of its broader redevelopment of the 23-acre Tower MarketPlace site just outside the Beltline. The first phase of the project, which includes revamping 85,000 square feet of existing space and new construction, is expected to be completed by May 2026.

This development comes as the city begins work on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, which is expected to boost foot traffic and accessibility along the corridor. The new building will offer flexible leasing options and be located near existing businesses like K&W Cafeteria and Touchdown Sports Bar. The New Bern corridor is also seeing growth from new bars and restaurants, including Blotto and Que Pashoo Tacos.

Lenovo Center Set for Major Transformation 👷‍♂️

The Lenovo Center in Raleigh is poised to become the centerpiece of a massive sports and entertainment district by 2035. Following the Hurricanes’ 20-year lease extension and a $1 billion development deal, the 80 acres around the arena and Carter-Finley Stadium will be turned into a mixed-use destination featuring apartments, offices, retail, hotels, and a tailgating promenade.

Phase 1 of the project, starting construction in 2026, will include over 200,000 square feet of entertainment and retail, 500 apartments, a 150-room hotel, and parking decks, with a possible 4,300-seat music venue. Inside the arena, upgrades will bring luxury suites, an open-view bar, and enhanced fan experiences, with the outdoor tailgating area expected to debut by the 2027 football season. Leaders see this development as a unique hub for Raleigh, blending sports, entertainment, and lifestyle in one vibrant location.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

🎉 Events This Weekend

• All‑American Women’s Baseball Classic
  📍 Durham Bulls Athletic Park
  🗓️ Fri–Sun, Aug 1–3 | Multiple game times
  🎟️ Ticketed event
  ⚾️ Women’s amateur baseball tournament showcasing top players from across the country

• First Friday Market & Movie Night – Inside Out 2
  📍 Moore Square, Downtown Raleigh
  🗓️ Fri, Aug 1 | 5:00 PM
  🎟️ Free (registration required)
  🎥 Outdoor screening of Inside Out 2 after shopping at the First Friday Market

• Raleigh Shop & Rock
  📍 City Plaza, Downtown Raleigh
  🗓️ Fri, Aug 1 | 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  🎟️ Free entry
  🛍️ Battle‑of‑the‑Bands competition, vendor booths, food trucks, crafts and live music all afternoon

• Michael Rowland – Stand‑Up Comedy
  📍 Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh
  🗓️ Fri, Aug 1 | Showtimes beginning around 8:00 PM (check listing)
  🎟️ Ticketed comedy night with the New York–based comedian and actor

• The Market at NCMA
  📍 North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
  🗓️ Sat, Aug 2 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  🎟️ Free to attend
  🛍️ Outdoor market featuring local artists, makers, and food vendors on the museum’s beautiful campus.

• August Cars & Coffee: Lowrider Theme
  📍 5425 Page Road, Durham
  🗓️ Sat, Aug 2 | 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  🎟️ Free entry
  🚗 Family-friendly car meet featuring lowriders, coffee, and a community vibe for all ages.

• The Flaming Lips & Modest Mouse Concert
  📍 Red Hat Amphitheater
  🗓️ Sat, Aug 2
  🎟️ Ticketed concert by two major alternative rock bands

• North Carolina Courage vs. San Diego Wave FC
  📍 WakeMed Soccer Park
  🗓️ Sun, Aug  2 | 7:30 PM
  🎟️ Ticketed NWSL match, top women’s soccer action in the Triangle

• Kesha & Scissor Sisters Concert
  📍 Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
  🗓️ Sun, Aug 3 | 7:00 PM
  🎟️ Tickets required
  🎤 Catch pop powerhouse Kesha and glam-pop icons Scissor Sisters live for a high-energy night of music and performance.

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC THIS WEEKEND

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Friday, August 2

• Bella G @ Farmers' Market – Midtown
  🕒 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ N Hills W

• The Back Roads @ Gizmo Brew Works – Raleigh
  🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh NW @ US70 / Umstead

• Sterling Scott @ Di Fara Pizza Tavern
  🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh SW @ Gorman / Avent Ferry

• Savanna Basset @ Kings – DT
  🕒 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Ryn Muilwyk @ SouthBound Restaurant
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Six Forks / North Hills

• Andy Coats Band @ Brixx Wood Fired Pizza – Cary
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Brier Creek

• Tale Two @ JD's Tavern
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh S / DT Garner

• Faster Than Boys @ The Brickhouse Sports Bar
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh E @ Hwy 64 Bypass

• Emma Rae @ Happy's
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Chatham / Harrison

• Open Mic Acoustic w/ Brian J & SRE @ Ruckus Cary
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh SW @ Cary Crossroads

• Tony Lewis @ Tonic Bar and Social Club
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Wake Forest / Triangle Town

• Heavy Weather @ Peak Of The Vine
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ US64 W / Action

• Lets Duet @ The Bull & Bear
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Six Forks / Millbrook

• Magic Pipers @ Back Then Bar & Grill
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Atlantic / Millbrook

• Toxic @ Slim's Dive Bar
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Clothing & Shoes, Jupiter 2 @ Slim's Dive Bar
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Afrobeats Live Saturdays @ Zenith Raleigh
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• The Sunday Special @ Hero’s Pub & Meatball Shop
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Six Forks

• Night Brew @ O’Malley’s Pub & Restaurant
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Glenwood

• DJ George @ Woody’s Sports Tavern & Grill – Cary
  🕒 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Brier Creek

• The Tarns @ Grand Regal Resort Concerts
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh E @ US70 / NC41

• DJ Lopez @ Hero’s Pub & Meatball Shop
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Six Forks

• Cold Sweat @ The Backyard Bar
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ US64W / Action

🎶 Raleigh Live Music – Saturday, August 3

• Savanna Basset @ SouthBound Restaurant
  🕒 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Six Forks / North Hills

• DJ Baptiste @ Saturdaze @ Boxyard RTP
  🕒 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ US64 / I-885
  (Note: RTP is nearby, borderline)

• Jazz Brunch w/ Dreamroot @ Transfer Co. Ballroom
  🕒 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• DJ Karaoke Dance @ JD’s Tavern
  🕒 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT / South Garner

• Live Music @ Tonic Bar and Social Club
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Triangle Town

• Lets Duet @ Tap Yard Raleigh
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Midtown / Five Points

• Raleighide: Live Band Karaoke @ Tap Yard Raleigh
  🕒 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Midtown / Five Points

• Magic Pipers @ Back Then Bar & Grill
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Atlantic / Millbrook

• Toxic @ Slim's Dive Bar
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Clothing & Shoes, Jupiter 2 @ Slim's Dive Bar
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• Afrobeat Wave Saturdays @ Zenith Raleigh
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• The Sunday Special @ Hero’s Pub & Meatball Shop
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Six Forks

• Night Brew @ O’Malley’s Pub & Restaurant
  🕒 9:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Glenwood

• DJ George @ Woody’s Sports Tavern & Grill – Cary
  🕒 10:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh N @ Brier Creek
  (Note: Cary venue, but Brier Creek-adjacent)

• Chris Overstreet @ The Corner Bar
  🕒 10:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

• DJ Lopez (Flaming Lips DJ Set), The Worm (The Who), Sharp Dressed Man (ZZ Top) @ Kings – DT
  🕒 10:00 PM – 11:55 PM
  📍 Raleigh DT

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

Construction of North Hills Shopping Center looking southeast, October 1962.

Beltline construction can be seen on the upper portion of the frame, with Six Forks coming down on the left and Lassiter Mill Road running across the bottom of the frame.

The Winn-Dixie seen in the center is approximately where present-day Target is now situated.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

88 🌡️ 68 | ⛈️ | 50%

Saturday

82 🌡️ 65 | 🌤️ | 20%

Sunday

84 🌡️ 66 | 🌤️ | 0%

LOCAL SPORTS

⚾️ Baseball

• Durham Bulls @ Gwinnett Stripers
  📍 Away Games
  🗓️ Friday, August 1 | 7:05 PM
  🗓️ Saturday, August 2 | 6:05 PM
  🗓️ Sunday, August 3 | 1:05 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who likes outer space. 🪐

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