According to an email sent out to the distribution list, 1304 Bikes is being shut down by the city due to zoning issues. Operating a non-profit out of a residentially zoned area is against the rules, and were threatened with daily fines and/or eviction if they had continued to offer free bikes, workshops, and repairs to the community.

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Earlier this year, uliveandyouburn beautifully documented the underbelly of the Boylan Avenue Bridge. Hidden from street-level view, the area serves as a transit point and temporary shelter for freight riders, hobos, and taggers. A few hundred feet away at the intersection of Mountford Avenue and Cutler Street is a smaller bridge, which tells many of the same stories.

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If you’ve ever listened to This American Life on WUNC, you can thank Reader’s Corner for being able to hear the program. The store known for the large selection of books for 10 and 25 cents on the west end of Hillsborough Street paid for the show to be brought to North Carolina Public Radio. Over the course of the past couple of decades, they’ve donated several hundred thousand dollars to the station from the proceeds of the books out front. There’s quite a bit more to this used book store than the inexpensive books available 24/7, though.

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The winner of last year's Raleigh Wars tournament, Matt Huffman, showing off the the winning trophy

Raleigh Wars is an urban assassin tournament involving the use of water weapons. Initially started by a group of friends bound by a common geographical area three years ago, it has since evolved into a regional game moderated by custom built web-based software. The new game starts this Friday at midnight.

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Looking through the front entrance window.

My first visit to The Busy Bee Cafe was just a couple weeks after its opening in April of this year, and I instantly fell in love! When I first walked into the newly renovated building I was instantly impressed with the trendy, rustic decor. I sat at the downstairs bar and ate a blue cheese burger and drank a glass of Malbec red wine, which where both fantastic. I have since been back at least once a week, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every visit.

View from Wilmington Street.

The Busy Bee Cafe, located at 225 Wilmington Street, opens bright and early at 6am Monday through Friday and 7am Saturday and Sunday. They are open early for the downtown workers to stop in, and start their day with a fresh cup of coffee and breakfast bites. By 11 am Busy Bee begins it’s full menu and service, which  is available until closing at 2am. On Friday and Saturday nights The Hive, the upstairs bar and patio, becomes a very trendy live music scene. The restaurant seems to suit everyone’s agenda from open to close.

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