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Good afternoon, Raleigh. What did the baby corn say to the mama corn?

Where’s Pop-corn?

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 7 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend

• Will an MLB team come to Raleigh?

• Iconic Holiday Inn survives - for now

• New apartments being built are outpacing demand

Let’s get to it. 🏃

Stories this week

Will Raleigh get an MLB expansion team? ⚾️

Raleigh's dreams of landing a Major League Baseball franchise face both opportunities and significant challenges. The Durham Bulls' owner Jim Goodmon has stated that his team's agreement with MLB would allow for a major league team to come to the Raleigh market without obstruction from the existing minor league team. Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is eager to bring an MLB team to Raleigh and has plans to develop land around PNC Arena for a potential stadium via public-private partnership.

However, hurdles exist in the form of the high cost of MLB franchises, lack of major corporate headquarters in the market, and competition from other cities like Austin, Nashville, Charlotte, Montreal, and Mexico City for potential expansion or relocation teams. While the Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville TV market is sizeable at 23rd nationally, it would still be on the smaller side for MLB franchises given the number of home games.

Parts of the NC Museum are closing to prepare for transformation

The North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh is preparing for a years-long renovation funded by the North Carolina General Assembly. To facilitate this major transformation expected to span two to three years, the museum will be closing its exhibits and building in stages - the third-floor exhibits on June 3, followed by the first-floor exhibits and physical museum closure on October 7, though the Museum Shop will remain open until December 29.

While few details about the changes have been provided, the interim director Brad Wilson states that the renovated, reimagined exhibits will "bring North Carolina history to life" in an "extraordinary" way once the museum reopens. During the closures, the Smithsonian-affiliated museum plans to offer digital resources to patrons until the makeover is complete.

Iconic Holiday Inn surviving demolition - for now 🏨

While Tidal Real Estate Partners unveiled plans in 2022 for a major redevelopment of the Holiday Inn hotel site in downtown Raleigh into a 20-story tower with apartments, hotel, parking, and retail, the fate of the existing 1960s-era Holiday Inn building remains uncertain.

The new owners, who purchased the property in 2021 for $23.8 million, are still evaluating whether to renovate or demolish the current hotel. A decision is expected in October, though no demolition permits have been filed yet. The Holiday Inn continues operating normally, but market conditions could impact the timeline for Tidal's approved mixed-use project replacing it with Raleigh's first Kimpton hotel.

New apartments being built are outpacing demand 🏠

The Triangle's apartment market is experiencing rising vacancy rates amid a surge of new construction in recent years that has outpaced demand. Thousands of new rental units have been delivered, causing the overall regional vacancy rate to spike to around 12% according to CoStar data.

The impact varies across submarkets, with areas like Wake Forest, Rolesville, East Raleigh, and Downtown Raleigh seeing particularly high vacancy rates of 19.4%, 16.3%, and 12.4% respectively due to excessive new supply. The vacancy rate for upscale Class A properties has jumped from 8.4% in 2022 to 15.5% in 2024 as most new construction targets the high-end segment. This oversupply has likely contributed to lower apartment prices and foreclosures. Experts suggest vacancy may peak in 2024 before plateauing and eventually declining as the market absorbs the new inventory. Areas with limited new supply like Hillsborough/Northern Orange County still maintain low 4.8% vacancy.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

Carolina Hurricanes VS New York Rangers | Games on Thursday and Saturday | PNC Arena

Games 3 and 4 of the Hurricane’s second-round playoff matchup against the New York Rangers are at Home in Raleigh.

Click here for Thursday tickets.

Click here for Saturday tickets.

COST: $142 and up

Ma & Pa Market Festival | Saturday, 11 AM - 6 PM | 400 Fayetteville St, Raleigh

The 2024 Mother's and Father's Day festival will feature 100+ local vendors, a DJ, food trucks, and a new Lounge section. Shop local this year for your parents. They'll have a DJ keeping the party alive and an interactive lounge section with a bar and plenty of activities!

Click here for more info.

COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors

Raleigh Foodie Fare | Saturday, 11 AM - 3 PM | Raleigh Iron Works - 2200 Atlantic Ave, Raleigh

Calling all Foodies! Join us for our monthly foodie and art market series featuring a food truck rodeo, food vendors, art vendors, drinks, live music, and more.

Grab delicious food and drinks, jam out with live musicians, and shop from local vendors.

COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors

Raleigh DIY Punk Rock Flee Market | Saturday, 12 - 6 PM + 11 AM - 4 PM Sunday | Rebus Works - 301-2 Kinsey Street, Raleigh

Join us for the Spring edition of Raleigh DIY Punk Rock Flea Market outside Rebus Works in Raleigh! Records, local artists, makers and vendors, oddities, weird stuff, live bands, food, vintage, and more! Rebus Works will be selling beer and coffee drinks inside. Family friendly + dogs welcome.

COST: Free to attend, cost for vendors

World Oddotities Expo | Saturday, 12 - 8 PM | State Fair Grounds - 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh

The World Oddities Expo is a traveling oddities festival - a peculiar paradise where weird thrives! This is an all-inclusive artisan and small business-fueled mega-convention. They feature artists, vendors, performers, educators, and guest speakers to create a macabre and magical experience for all.

Let your curiosity guide you and explore the land of W.O.E! Shop the showroom floor packed with peculiar pleasures and treasures from artists and small businesses. You’ll find everything in the Lost Curio Marketplace from taxidermy to insects, macabre art, jewelry, home décor, and more!

Click here for tickets.

COST: $20 for general admission (12 and under are free)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE FUTURE EVENTS

May 17-19: Got to be NC Festival - Local food, local mood. Local ag, local swag. Local wine, local swine. Local rides, local strides. Local bands, local brands. Local cows, locals wow! From tractors and the Carolina Pig Jig to the Food Lion Local Goodness Marketplace and free fun at every turn.

May 18: 24th annual All-Star Ride for Life - Hop on your motorcycle and head over to Scooter's Bar and Grill on Saturday, May 18th for the 24th Annual All-Star Ride for Life. Registration begins at 9 am and the ride begins at 11 am.

May 26: NC Sugar Rush - Enjoy a Dessert-filled experience like no other at the City Plaza Downtown Raleigh. Dessert Foods of all kinds, Merchant Vendors, Axe Throwing, DJ, and supporting the Wake County Foster Care System.

June 1: Raleigh’s International Food Festival. Over 50 food trucks/dessert trucks from around the globe! Raleigh's largest food festival is celebrating its 8th year. Free to attend, cost for vdneors.

June 14: Dave Matthews Band performing at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. Click here for tickets.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

81 🌡️ 50 | ⛈️ | 50%

Saturday

74 🌡️ 53 | 🌤️ | 0%

Sunday

79 🌡️ 50 | 🌤️ | 0%

LOCAL SPORTS

Baseball ⚾️

FRIDAY

• Duke @ Georgia Tech | 6 PM

• Louisville @ UNC | 6 PM

• Nashville Sounds @ Durham Bulls | 6:35 PM

• NC State @ Virginia | 7 PM

SATURDAY

• Louisville @ UNC | 12 PM

• Duke @ Georgia Tech | 4 PM

• NC State @ Virginia | 4 PM

• Nashville Sounds @ Durham Bulls | 6:35 PM

SUNDAY

• Louisville @ UNC | 12 PM

• Duke @ Georgia Tech | 1 PM

• NC State @ Virginia | 1 PM

• Nashville Sounds @ Durham Bulls | 1:05 PM

Hockey 🏒

• Thursday: New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes | 7 PM

• Saturday: New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes | 7 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with your mom. 👩

Have any suggestions for what you would like to see in future editions? Reply to this email and let me know!

Let’s do this again next Thursday!