Above, a photo from Paul Friedrich’s Vacation with the Super-Heroes. many of the photos of this series are taken across the country and around the world, this photo was taken here in Raleigh. but where? and what is this oral hygiene building?

(if you know all the answers, please only answer one to let others have a chance of victory. it’s the code of the Super-Heroes, something that Paul learned during his travels with them. Only one print per person will be awarded.)

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Oakwood lies a restaurant specializing in all the S’s: soups, salads, sandwiches, and sweets. Continuing on the “Side” theme, the menu is broken down according to what type of “Side” you’d like: “A Bit on the Warm Side”, “The Green Side”, “The Lighter Side”, “Our Best Side”, and “Side Kicks”.

Side Street Restaurant is a sole proprietership run by Mary Lu Wooten, although both of her brothers also work there. She bought the place in the summer of 1979, which means that this year will mark the 30th year in operation. Previously named the Corner Cupboard, the name was changed to Side Street by the previous owner prior to her taking over. When she first began running the restaurant, there were only 4 or 5 places to eat in the downtown area, including the Capital Room in the now gone Hudson Belk on Fayetteville Street.

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UPDATE:  Russell Lee passed away this past Sunday. Read more here.

I first met Russell Lee (aka “Sho Nuff”) at 1304 Bikes around a year ago, and then later on the First Friday bike rides. I’ve also seen him in passing a few times at several area bars, but it was only a few weeks ago that I first talked with him to learn a bit more about the man on the awesome bike.

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