If you’re looking for a place downtown for bike maintenance and repair, or in the market for a vintage steel-framed bike, you’re in luck. About a month ago, a new bike shop opened its doors in Raleigh: the Oak City Cycling Project.

inside the shop

The Oak City Cycling Project is run by David Zell, William Randle, and Ken Metzger. These three guys are passionate about bikes and increasing ridership and community within the Raleigh area:

We’re a member-owned and managed cycling shop focused on increasing bicycle ridership in Raleigh through the sale of vintage steel-framed bikes. We restore and sell bicycles that are meant to last a lifetime.  Our aim is to get as many folks cycling as possible. We do that by keeping costs low, being transparent about our services and operations, and servicing everyone –  from a first time rider to the experienced cyclist. We love what we do.

–David Zell

It was originally run out of a back yard until the three found a space in the warehouse art space known as Ruby Red on 726 N. West Street, near where it intersects with Peace Street.

Ken soldering a frame

When asked about the “project” part of the name, David explained that it is more than a place that fixes up bikes and resells them. In the short term, they plan on offering open shop hours where riders can use the bike stand and shared tools, as well as get maintenance and repair questions answered. They are also currently working on basic maintenance and repair tutorial videos.

Longer term, the Oak City Cycling Project will have a storefront location downtown with a bit more foot traffic. In addition to the shop, the storefront would also serve as a small batch coffee shop and have a few beers on tap.

In a couple of weeks, you can catch up with the guys behind the project as well as other riders in the area. On October 29th, the Oak City Cycling Project is partnering with Crank Arm Rickshaw and Raleigh Bike Love to organize the Scaredy Cat – a Halloween-themed social ride and scavenger hunt followed by bands, beer, and food.

It’s great that Downtown Raleigh has this new resource. I look forward to seeing this project bloom and connect more riders in the area.

If you’d like to keep tabs on the vintage bikes they restore and put up for sale, you can find them on Facebook as well as the official web site.

Oak City Cycling Project
726 N. West Street
Wednesdays- 6:00 – 10:00PM
Sundays – 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

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Downtown Raleigh’s boldest condo project, The Hue, had a rough start after initially failing to sell any residential units. It entered the real estate market at the worst time in recent history, and a series of missteps by the original Los Angeles development group created a failed project in what should have been a receptive market.

After being sold and converted to rental units about six months ago, more and more residents are moving in and things are looking up. The missing component to the turnaround was ground-level retail, and that will soon change with the opening of Tribeca Cafe next month.

The Departure of a Downtown Raleigh Icon

Despite the promise of new residents moving in with the conversion to a rental property, longtime Raleigh stalwart White Rabbit Books closed its doors last November. It was especially painful as they had been in business for over 20 years in their previous location deeper in the Warehouse District. Because of this, many questioned the viability of retail storefronts in the Hue.

Despite a loyal clientele and long history in Raleigh, White Rabbit was a niche retail operation in a part of downtown that (for now) is light on foot traffic during daylight hours. Its departure shouldn’t represent the long term viability of retail in this area.

Above are staff getting Tribeca ready. The business name is posted in the windows.

The New Tenant: Tribeca Cafe

There are several signs on the windows on the Hargett Street side indicating a new business will soon open: Tribeca Cafe. One of the guys working inside said that in addition to a cafe with food, it will also be a “bar bar.” The Facebook page for Tribeca Cafe lures future patrons in:

Organic Espresso, Drip Coffee, Teas, and an excellent menu of hand picked, breakfast combinations at The Tribeca Cafe and Lounge. [...]

Let us tantalize your taste buds with one of our many choices from Gourmet Sandwiches, Soups, Exotic Salads, or even Delectable Sushi,

*SUSHI SPECIALS ON EVERY TUESDAY!!*

The cuisine special and menu is available from 12pm to 2AM!

The person preparing the inside said that they expect to be open by the end of next month.

Opening a cafe and lounge in the space looks like the logical first step in opening up street level retail. One only need look a block or so away and see the success of Liz Masnik at The Borough to see that this part of town has a thriving night life scene and can easily sustain more.

A Welcome Splash of Color

Aesthetically, I think the Hue is at or near the top of condo projects in Downtown Raleigh. The exterior colors, stepped walls, and ample glass make for a modern and attractive building. This type of high-density mixed-use property is what Raleigh needs more of. Something like this is what we should have got in Cameron Village, not the revivalist project designed by Cameron Park residents that we’re getting.

I’m wishing the owners of Tribeca Cafe success and hope it will usher in more retail frontage on the corner of Hargett and Dawson Streets.

Poised halfway between the Boylan Bridge Brewpub, the Warehouse District, and the core of Downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville Street, this area has nowhere to go but up.

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Local burgeoning retailer Taiseer “Taz” Zarka opened his fifth store a little over a week ago. Featuring beer, wine, flowers, tobacco products, and tourist items(!), yet another missing niche was fulfilled with this store. While it was reported that there are over 1,000 brands of wine available for sale, what hasn’t been reported is the far more interesting twist: outdoor seating and a free plate of hors d’œuvres with every glass of wine.

Wine, Wine, and More Wine

First and foremost, the majority of the store is dedicated to wine. His decision to stock roughly the same number of wine brands as the number of residents in downtown proper (give or take a several hundred) seems like a bit of a gamble, at least at first. One local restaurateur noted that until now, those living downtown had to go to Cameron Village for wine, a solid mile or two away from the various condos such as RBC Plaza. This means driving for the vast majority of folks, which is contrary to one of the benefits of urban living (destinations within walking distance).

Tastings and by the Glass

While most people (for now) are patronizing Taz’s newest store as a take-away consumer, he’s making great efforts to draw business that sits and stays a while. One of the ways he does this is with wine tastings, advertised in the photo above.

Flowers and Greeting Cards

Wine, flowers, and greeting cards are significant symbols of affection and relationships. It’s a unique combination of retail items he’s making available, but not the final chapter. Taz is driven, organized, and has very specific plans for both the short and long term. The next and perhaps (for now) final piece in his retail puzzle will be a market to get cheeses and meats, sandwiches, and the like. It won’t be terribly soon, though. He wants to ensure the newest venture is successful before expanding.

Tourist Items(!)

Another significant yet overlooked set of products available for sale are the various gift-store items, such as the Raleigh-emblazoned hats, mugs, and glasses above. As much as I love the city I live in, “tourism” is not a word I put in the same sentence with “Raleigh”.

It’s an interesting development. Anthony, one of the staff members noted: “You’ve gotta have something for the tourists”. Perhaps events such as the motorcycle event last weekend are drawing in visitors from out of the area to Raleigh as a destination.

The View

This is one of my favorite street-level views of downtown. To the left, you have the gorgeous 1870s storefronts on the 300 block of Wilmington Street. To the right, the tallest building in Raleigh.

The best part, though, is the wine itself. There are four wines by glass available, usually two reds and two whites. All are five dollars a glass and come with a free plate such as the one above; including cheeses, strawberries, grapes, crackers, and chocolate. I must admit that I’ve made this plate (or a couple of them) my dinner on at least two occasions since opening.

It is easily the best deal in town on a glass of wine. (The half-price bottles of wine at Cafe Helios are probably a close second).

The staff are unbelievably friendly and accommodating. You can tell they are very enthusiastic about what the store represents, and make great efforts to make your experience a pleasant one. Stop by the new store and enjoy an affordable glass of wine outside with a great view.

Taz’s Wine, Tobacco and Gifts
17 East Martin Street

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Sometime over the weekend, the lone Hillsborough Street hookah bar-Marrakesh Cafe- closed its doors with a sign indicating that Shakedown Street is set to replace it. The possible factors leading to its demise aren’t few and far between: a decline in business on Hillsborough Street since roundabout construction, the looming loss of the ability to sell food with the smoking ban, and increased local competition.

Less than two months ago, local cantankerous commentator Raleigh Gawker proclaimed: Hookah Bars Totally Spaced Out On Smoking Ban, a reference to the recent bill preventing smoking in most establishments where food is served. Marrakesh Cafe fell into the category of hookah bar that also serves food, so it was a good bet they would have been adversely affected by the recent legislation.

I have no idea what led to the owners to close the doors for good. Anecdotally, I can say that in the several times I walked past that business was slow. I’ve been to two other hookah bars in town, and thoroughly enjoyed myself each time (as a non-smoker). It was a nice alternative to the traditional loud and crowded bars. Admittedly, without alcohol the environment did seem slightly lacking.

Regardless, it seems a shame that these places didn’t find some sort of exemption in the legislation. As of next year, their only option will be to discontinue the sale of food, which may disable their business.

As for what will take its place: A hippie joint whose name is based on either a Grateful Dead album or the place at a music festival where food/drugs/alcohol can be obtained. A visit to the web site (warning: music) features the dancing bears and jam music in the background as well as a link to apply for employment. The requirements for employment read like a playlist from the Hippie Hour on WKNC: Love for Grateful Dead, Phish, Bob Marley, Allman Brothers, and Keller Williams.

It will be interesting to see how this place stacks up against The Farmhouse, another bar/food joint whose name is also based off of a jam band album (Phish).

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After riding a high PR wave with the likes of introducing President Obama at a rally in Raleigh and giving away over 3,000 cupcakes as a way to thank customers for two years of business, The Cupcake Shoppe on Glenwood Avenue continues to add charm to downtown and look toward the future.

Although the store is closed on Sundays and Mondays, proprietress Sara Coleman (above) works every day. She uses the time to get caught up on emails, planning, and other paperwork that is difficult to attend to during the week.

She opened the unique dessert boutique two years ago, and was drawn to the location because of the active and planned residential construction, in addition to the number of other businesses in the area.

Opening a business in a highly trafficked area is certainly not enough to ensure success; one has to sell a great product with value in addition to  providing great service. The Cupcake Shoppe delivers on both counts.

One of the elements of the product aspect is the process, as Sara explains:

We bake everything from scratch and don’t use any mixes. This makes the process more difficult because it doesn’t have stabilizers and preservatives like a cake mix. Sometimes it’s difficult to get the texture of a cake, especially when throwing in weird ingredients.

And if you thought making delicious and unique cupcakes is as easy as throwing together things that taste good, she also sets the record straight:

It’s not as easy as it sounds. You can’t just take any flavor and make it into a cupcake. Baking is certainly more of a science than an art. With leavening agents and other factors, there are several things that come into play — including what the weather is like outside. As an example, in the more humid months it’s difficult to do a heavy fruit-based cake.

Although the process of creating cupcakes can be rather scientific, the ideas that lead to the flavors aren’t always so. When asked about how ideas become tasty treats, Sara stated that it can be as easy as thinking about a popular drink or candy bar, or even a dessert that your grandmother made. Sometimes it can be more spontaneous, such as finding an idea when she is strolling the aisles of a grocery store.

One way she keeps the process interesting is the way that customers are involved. On a recent visit was a suggestion box, which allowed cupcake enthusiasts to suggest their own favorite flavors that could possibly occupy the shelves behind the glass counter. The person submitting the lucky winning flavor is given not only a dozen cupcakes, but a t-shirt too.

Sara and the rest of the staff at the Cupcake Shoppe aren’t just sitting around thinking of new flavors, they are also looking at expanding business beyond the storefront retail, event and wedding clientele they currently serve.

Of the few ideas under consideration, one in particular stood out as something exciting – an ice cream/cupcake cart on street corners around downtown late night. The store is open late night on Fridays and Saturdays, but we may soon see an ice dessert push cart or trike present at concerts, events, and around the hot spots late night.

There is a good amount of permitting issues and red tape involved in such a venture, but it’s one of a few currently being looked in to.

Until then, pay the store a visit for a unique way to cure your sweet tooth.

Follow The Cupcake Shoppe on Twitter and Facebook.

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STUFF Consignment has been closed for at least a few weeks now, but this past weekend was the first time I had noticed the note on the door above. I had walked by on a few occasions and noticed the store wasn’t open, but didn’t think it was permanent.

I’ve raved about this shop in the Warehouse District before. Owned and operated by Glenn May, it was a great place to find nice second hand clothes. What I really liked about STUFF was the personal attention Glenn gave his customers. He’d offer advice and tips on style and clothing choices. He got to know his customers, their tastes, and what they were looking for.

The last time I had talked to him (a couple of months ago) he noted that business was a bit slower than usual, but it’s unclear to me why it’s no longer open.

STUFF Consignment was a great addition to downtown. Glenn’s customer focus and unique store will certainly be missed.

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The workers inside the North Carolina Association for Plumbing Heating and Cooling Control building at 413 Glenwood Ave. most likely prepared coffee that was barely strong enough to defend itself.  Workers quaffed cup after cup of mediocre coffee and were just fine with it.  Years later, that very same building would house Café Helios, a coffee house on Glenwood South.

Until the late 1990′s it was hard to imagine anything aside from industrial businesses thriving on south Glenwood Avenue.  Before that, the street was mostly residential.  Glenwood was a homely strip of road, at best. It was littered with industrial buildings that brought to mind scenes from a David Lynch film.

All of that started to change when Pine State Creamery closed in 1996 and a few restaurants popped up in the older buildings.  The Rockford was one of the first, followed shortly by the Hibernian and Hard Times Cafe.  In 2001, Gray Medlin bought the old Plumbing and Heating building with the intention of using the second floor as offices for his investment banking firm.  After exploring several possible uses for the ground floor, he decided to open a small coffee shop. Gray wanted Helios to serve as a place where people could enjoy local coffee, art, and music.  Since its opening in June of 2002, Helios has continued to serve as a social hub for Raleigh’s coffee drinkers and night owls.

Glenwood South certainly has been softened and transformed by its new tenants.  The place that was once home to rough concrete and steel is now inhabited by sleek aluminum and decorative lighting schemes.  I’ve always been fascinated by the unique feel exhibited by utilitarian spaces that are converted into aesthetically pleasing monuments of the past.  Helios is a wonderful example of this. The terrazzo floors were undoubtedly intended to be strong and maintenance free, but when placed in a setting where functionality isn’t the foremost concern, they obtain a beauty that is often emulated but rarely convincing.  The naked ceilings exposing duct work and structural details give glimpses of the buildings prior life.  If you look closely on the left side of the building, you’ll notice a bricked up doorway that once led to a set of interior stairs, which incidentally now reside in Gray’s garden at his residence.  I find these architectural scars very appealing as they seem to display the presence of a soul.  However unassuming it may be, the building still has a soul, and that is more than many urban structures in Raleigh can claim.

Helios proudly serves Counter Culture coffee, a roastery out of Durham, and serves breakfast and lunch fare throughout the day.  Six beer taps boast an insightful selection of domestic beers including several local selections complimented by a healthy selection of coffee-related spirits and a competent wine list.

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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.

In 1980, Irv Coats (above) took over Reader’s Corner after it had been in business for five years. He didn’t like the name at first, but over time began to like it and decided to keep it. He had been retired (from a career as a research physicist) for a few years by that point.

For being retired, he sure stays busy. He rides a bike to work every day, doesn’t go on vacation, and works 7 days a week.

This is my retirement, and it’s better than any vacation! There will be plenty of time for lying around when you’re dead. I can’t wait to get up in the morning and come to work.

- Irv Coats, owner of Reader’s Corner

One of the more interesting things about this place are the items you’ll find on the walls. All are things that have been found in books, and range from the antique (above, a receipt from 1872), to the comical, and the bizarre. Perhaps most common are photographs. As I was asking about some of the more unique items that have been found, I happened to notice my friend Amanda in a couple of photographs on the wall. I later asked her about it, and she said that she was just as surprised to discover it while browsing some time ago. Staff members sometimes pass on the really interesting pieces to Found Magazine.

Todd Morman, local celebrity and host of Monkey Time on RTN.

Tim over at Nice Guy Syndrome recently talked with Irv about the state of used book stores, internet sales, and the effect of the economy on the individual seller:

Able to spare a few moments between logging internet sales and heading for home, Irv–sitting at his desk in the back room of the Reader’s Corner–started out by telling me, “The conventional wisdom has always been that used bookstores would thrive in a bad economy. Well, the experiment is now testing the hypothesis.” In his own case, the hypothesis is being proven correct, as his store is doing well. … but added: “Internet sales are really putting the squeeze on the brick and mortar people.”

– Tim Botta

You can find some of the inventory from Reader’s Corner online too. Only about 1% of stock is available, but it’s the more expensive and more difficult to find items listed. The sales from these books often offset a period of slow business and keep the shop profitable.

The store has a few simple rules that they ask you to abide by.

I continued with Tim’s line of questioning about the future of print and the individual bookseller. I asked what the future of book selling may look like in 10 years:

Will ebooks put me out of business? I don’t know. I’ve got a kindle. I use it to read the New York Times every day, but it’s not the same.

I don’t see us changing. We’re in the business of books and the experience of it. The store is now what I always dreamt it would be when I started. It’s finally doing now what my business plan was. I’ve fulfilled it completely. I don’t intent to change it, I’ve got what I want.

–Irv Coats

He mentioned that he recently purchased the building after having to rent it for nearly 30 years. The original owner refused to sell, but was finally allowed to after ownership changed hands this year. My guess is that the recent purchase of the building was the final piece missing from the puzzle.

I said it almost two years ago, and will say it again: Reader’s Corner is my favorite book store.

3201 Hillsborough St
(919) 828-7024

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Located in an older business block next door to the Jackpot and the big abandoned green house is Cycle Logic, a bike shop that’s been in business on Hillsborough Street since 1974. Owned and operated by Ed Gaddy, it’s a no-frills type of place but has everything I’ve ever needed to stay riding.

Ed first opened up shop in a small house on the West end of Hillsborough Street, operating out of the living room:

The living room was the display area and the repair shop. Spare bedrooms were used for storage of repairs and new bikes. Yes I lived in the same house! People laughed when they saw us eating at the kitchen table.

–Ed Gaddy

The house was later torn down, and Sub Conscious sits on the spot today.

Pictured above is Ed and his newest staff member, Margaret. Over the years he’s taught dozens the craft of repairing and maintaining bicycles.

One of the unique aspects of Cycle Logic is the manner in which repairs are made. On more than one occasion I’ve had difficulty installing a new derailleur or a set of pedals, and Ed has always been more than helpful– not only installation but in explaining how to do it properly (as well as why my failed methods weren’t working).

Above is Nik-Nik, the only employee with his own office (in the rear of the store).

In addition to selling such recognized brands as Raleigh, Fuji, and SE (above), Ed also custom fabricates fixed gear frames out of his home. He can also remove the dropouts from any existing frame and weld on horizontal ones, so any bike can be a fixie.

If you’ve ever stopped by the store, you may have noticed several pictures of gliders near the cash register. Since 1980 Ed’s had a passion for sailplaning, and has logged over 300k miles in the air. He’s a licensed instructor and can provide additional information on this alternative (and what I assume to be thrilling) form of transportation.

If you are a cyclist who rides around at night without lights, let me encourage you to pay this place a visit and buy these essential pieces of safety gear. At less than $10, there is no reason to continue endangering yourself and being a nuisance to other travelers on the road.

I’ve always been able to get whatever bicycle issues I’ve had resolved at Cycle Logic, and usually learn a bit in the process. Stop by sometime if you need a fly new ride, accessories, or a repair.

Cycle Logic

1211 Hillsborough St

919-833-4588

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Last December, Western Lanes began a transformation. It was sold to a group of 20-something investors from the area. While promising to retain most of the features that give it charm, they wanted to give it a minor facelift and modernize it. The first change is the name–it is now known as “The Alley”. The fate of long time restaurant staff was less clear however, as it would have to temporarily close for restoration.

Late last year, we confirmed that Theresa Fenner, bartender at Western Lanes for 27 years, would in fact stay on staff and remain a part of the family throughout the transition process. When stopping by on a recent visit to check on her and the modernization effort, I learned of very sad news: She had contracted a very serious kidney infection, which for the past month has kept her out of work. On April 17th, she was airlifted to Winston-Salem to undergo treatment. According to her husband, her odds were at 50% for surviving. She fought through it, and 11 days later was discharged.

During the process, she (and other restaurant staff) had to cut back to part-time hours, which caused a loss in insurance coverage. Because of this, she cut back on her diabetes medicine, which likely caused the initial infection which led to kidney damage. Now with medical bills looming well over $100,000, the outlook is far more grim. She hopes to return to work, but currently has difficulty moving from one end of the house to the other. It will certainly be an uphill process.

Mike, her husband who is also employed at The Alley, mentioned during my visit that she is constantly asking about the changes to the place. The first thing I noticed was the repainted backdrop of the lanes. He mentioned they were styled in honor of the lanes in the film “The Big Lebowski”. Occasionally, you can catch the film playing on the new televisions (as long as there are no children bowling, of course).

There are other new changes: a game room with a pool table, a new bar, and a kitchen currently being modernized, among others. There is still quite a bit of work to go, however. “The Alley” is the only bowling alley in the area with wooden lanes, but they are in dire need of replacing. They’ve been sanded down so many times they can’t be treated any more. And although there was initially talk of installing automatic scoreboards, thankfully it appears that the idea has been nixed.

While most of these changes are certain to increase business and foot traffic to the Hillsborough Street landmark, it’s certainly missing a major part of what gives it charm. Theresa – I hope these images tell the story of your home away from home, and we offer best wishes for a speedy recovery. The bar just isn’t the same without your hand-flung beers and smiling face.

(If you’d like to donate to help pay for Theresa’s medical bills, you can contribute directly at “The Alley”.)

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